Vegan in NJ has started a Patreon page and we would love it if you could donate any amount you could. We will be working on setting up tiers as time goes on, but for right now, you will just get access to our feed, where we will be working through ideas and events we plan to host in the future. This will be a great place for you to have your voice heard about how we can make NJ the most vegan friendly place it can be!
If you are hosting an event or know of an event happening that you do not see on our events page, please send an email to cherise@veganinnj.com and I'll add it to the page ASAP and include it in my weekly breakdown.
I hope everyone survived the long holiday weekend. I know holidays with non-vegan family can be hard, but I hope you made it through, planted some seeds, and stayed awesome! It's a really tough emotional experience to be the only vegan in a family full of omnivores who just don't get it, but don't forget... you've got your vegan fam here who really, seriously, definitely gets it. 1 holiday down and a few more to go. They get easier - don't worry! Now, onto some events so that you can hang with your vegan fam or even meet some new friends! The Tortilla Press in Collingswood occasionally hosts an all vegan night at their restaurant and that night is Wednesday this week! You can find their menu posted up on their Instagram. It includes dishes like BBQ Jackfruit Nachos, Braised Root Vegetable Burrito, Michael's Seitan with Tomatillo BBQ sauce and Pineapple Empanadas. I've gone to a couple of these dinners and will be sad to miss this one, so I hope you are able go attend! Make sure to make a reservation, as it does fill up! Their phone number is 856-869-3345.
Every holiday season, in downtown Red Bank, there are horse drawn carriage rides. One of our group members and local Monmouth County activists, is hosting a protest on December 1 and as many Saturdays as possible until Christmas, when these rides end. Please reach out via Facebook event for more information and to attend. It's never okay to exploit animals and force them to work against their will. They are not meant to be dressed up in uncomfortable garments and sit in the traffic of a busy downtown area. Between inhaling all the fumes from standing behind cars, buses, etc, long hours, and almost always being in terrible conditions, these horses do not live a good life. When they're too old to continue their "job", they are often sent to slaughter. Please do some research on this topic and attend the protests, if you can. Animals need us to speak up! Picture taken from this article.
Brooklyn, NYC, and Jersey City Anonymous for the Voiceless chapters are hosting a Cube of Truth on Saturday. Jersey City's chapter will be in front of Two Boots Pizza, NYC's chapter will be at Union Square Park (14 St), and Brooklyn's chapter will be in front of the Barclays Center. Dress in all black, bring a fully charged laptop or tablet filled with the required footage (can be found in the description of both events and in any AV Facebook group).
Also on Saturday, Vegan in NJ (that's us!) will be hosting a meetup at Via Roma in Toms River. If you're on Facebook, make sure to RSVP so we can update our reservation count! Via Roma is an all Italian food restaurant with an extensive vegan/vegetarian/gluten free menu! They also have a binder filled with ingredients for any allergen concerns. We've been here, as a group, several times before and I have no doubt that we will be back several times more!
NJveg is a non-profit organization based in central NJ that hosts social events (potlucks, dinners, etc) and does advocacy at several events throughout central NJ. Saturday, they will be hosting a meetup in Piscataway at Thai Basil.
Sunday is the second of the month, which means Animals First on the Second. If you've never heard of this, that's okay, now is a great time to start! We fast on the second of every month, mark an "x" inside a circle on our hands and the conversations will come to you. Learn more about what this all is and why this was started on the AFOTS website, including information on how to get started and participate.
The Traveling Animal Protection Society (TAPS) is hosting a rally in Philly at The Rotunda on Sunday. Many major cities (Pittsburgh, NYC, and the state of NJ) have already passed laws to ban exotic animal acts, such as circuses. This rally will be celebrating those victories (and so many more victories worldwide) and spreading education on how to make Philly a more compassionate place with a similar ban. There will be activities for children (as well as adults), free food, and more. Please make sure to RSVP via their Facebook event.
Mundo Vegan is hosting a vegan holiday bazaar at their restaurant in Montclair on Sunday. Vendors will include Creature Comforts Stationery, How Delish, House of Cork NY, and more! There will also be food for sale from Mundo Vegan. Vendor fees will be donated to CPAW NJ and Cameron Animal Hospital Rescue Efforts.
Every Sunday, the Jersey Shore chapter of Food Not Bombs will be feeding those in need at the Asbury Park Train Station between 4:00 and 5:00. If you want to donate something, contact them via their Facebook page or by emailing them at jerseyshorefoodnotbombs@yahoo.com.
Vegan in NJ events scheduled (must be a member of the Facebook group to view private events):
Thank you to those who came here via the Try Vegan email blast! If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you can learn more about the Try Vegan empire via their meal delivery (use that link for a free meal!), their food truck, or their clothing line!