Vegetarians of Washington

Our mission is to help improve the health and well-being of people and the world we live in, both by encouraging mainstream Americans to discover the advantages and pleasures of vegetarian food, and by providing support and service to the vegetarian community. We are an independent volunteer based non-profit organization. We were formed in July 2001 and have held Vegfest every year since then. It has grown to be the largest vegetarian food festival in the country.

Our biggest event of each year, Vegfest, is a healthy vegetarian food festival, which introduces thousands to new, healthy foods. With doctors giving health checks and talks about health and nutrition, chefs giving cooking demonstrations, a huge bookstore and clowns for the kids, there is something for everyone.

We also provide monthly catered dinners, to introduce people to how good vegetarian food can taste, plus we give a variety of free health, environmental and cooking classes.

Recently we have launched the Prescribe Vegetarian campaign to teach medical students and doctors about the power of a vegetarian diet to prevent and treat disease.  We have developed a website, www.pbdmedicine.org to provide evidence-based information to doctors.  We hold a medical seminar for doctors and medical students at Vegfest, and give talks at hospitals around the state.

We have published several books, including Say No to Meat: the 411 on ditching meat and going veg, The Vegetarian Solution, The Veg-Feasting Cookbook, and In Pursuit of Great Food: A plant-based shopping guide.