Food for a cause at the Boston Vegetarian Food Festival

By: Asha Chaudhuri

Posted: 10/29/09

Being vegetarian doesn't mean having to eat just vegetables or tofu. For those considering a vegetarian lifestyle, or simply reducing the amount of meat in their diet, the Boston Vegetarian Food Festival is quickly approaching to rebuff any of those preconceived notions. The festival takes place on Saturday, Oct. 31 and Sunday, Nov. 1, and features 120 exhibitions in which attendees can learn all about vegetarian and vegan products. The two-day event is free of charge and provides visitors with the opportunity to meet food producers, sample new products, and attend cooking demonstrations by well-known chefs and presentations by an array of food-related professionals. There will also be educational exhibits on protecting animals and the environment, along with registered dietitian consultants to provide information on leading a vegetarian diet. The festival aims to "provide a welcoming environment in which to explore a wide variety of delicious, healthy, and readily available vegetarian foods that are good for people and friendly to animals and the environment," according to the festival's website.

If you need inspiration to discover more about vegetarianism, consider the fact that eating a vegetarian diet is one of the easiest and most beneficial ways to combat climate change. With fewer animals raised for meat, fewer greenhouse gasses are emitted into the atmosphere (a U.N. report says one-fifth of global warming emissions comes from livestock, which is more than emissions from all the world's transportation combined). Also, 70% of water in the U.S. goes to animals grown for food, contributing to water shortages. Needless to say, the amount of crops and water used to raise farm animals could be used much more efficiently: particularly, to combat world hunger. To top it off, vegetarians are generally healthier than non-vegetarians, according to the American Health Association, since they tend to consume less cholesterol and saturated fat found in meat, therefore reducing their risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.

Whether you're willing to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle because of health reasons or to reduce your carbon footprint, the festival is a great opportunity to explore the world of vegetarianism. Log on to http://www.bostonveg.org/foodfest for more information on exhibitors and presenters. The festival will take place at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont Street, Boston, MA.