Are you in two minds about visiting a vegan fair? Maybe it involves travelling out of your way, or rearranging other plans? We’re here to tell you exactly why you should visit at least one vegan fair this year – although there’s a good chance you’ll want more once you realize just how great vegan events are.
1. Discover new products/companies
Vegan fairs are an excellent way to get introduced to companies you might never have come across otherwise. Some of our best vegan fair finds have come from companies we’d never even heard of – like this delicious vegan feta by Lettices. Some brands don’t have their products stocked in mainstream stores, or trade mainly locally/online, so going to a vegan event is a great way to give them a try.
2. Sample food before you buy
Vegan food can be expensive, and there’s nothing worse than splashing out on a new type of vegan cheese/chocolate/fake meat, only to find that it’s disgusting. Most traders at vegan events will have plenty of free samples on offer, so you can check that you like food before you purchase. It’s a good idea to try as many samples as possible before you decide what to buy – you don’t want to miss out on any gems at the end.
3. Support vegan businesses
Attending vegan fairs is a great way for small businesses to get the word out about their products, and get feedback from customers. By purchasing from them, you’re helping the business to grow and improve. Even if you don’t buy from every stall, even picking up a flyer and giving the company a follow/like on social media can be a big help.
4. Get vegan clothing, toiletries and make-up
Vegan food is becoming more and more common in mainstream shops, but non-food items like clothing, toiletries and make-up can sometimes be harder to find. Vegan fairs are a great place to get hold of items like this, and you’ll often find some really unique products. There’s usually plenty of printed clothing available too, perfect if you like statement T-shirts and hoodies.
5. Meet like-minded people
Vegan events can be an excellent place to meet like-minded people, particularly if you live in an area where veganism isn’t very common. Most stallholders will be happy to chat, and many events designate areas specifically for connecting with others. VegFest London features a ‘Teen Zone’ and a ‘Mature Zone’, making it easy to meet similar people while taking part in fun activities. You could make a new best friend!
6. Attend talks and cookery demos
You’ll find a really diverse range of talks and demos at most vegan events – there’s usually something for almost everyone. We’ve seen talks on everything from vegan bodybuilding and healthy vegan diets to alternative healing and vegan activism. Cookery demos offer a great chance to pick up some new kitchen skills, and lessons on making your own vegan cheese are common.
7. Try tasty lunch options
Most vegan fairs are full of so many tasty lunch options that it can be hard to pick just one! Offerings will vary from event to event, but we’ve seen vegan pizza, vegan fish and chips, vegan hot dogs, vegan curries and more. Be sure to check outside the venue as well as inside, as food trucks often have some great offerings. Dessert options are usually plentiful as well, with cake, waffles, ice cream and froyo being some of the most popular.
8. Get freebies
Many vegan fairs are free to enter, particularly if they’re small, local events. Many fairs offer a free goodie bag to the first X number of visitors through the door, so it can pay to arrive early. You’ll often find freebies available on a number of stalls too, especially when a new company or product is being promoted.
Have we convinced you to visit a vegan fair this year?
If so, check out this list of 2017 UK vegan fairs for details of upcoming events.
It’s also helpful to join vegan Facebook groups for your local area and follow your favourite vegan brands on social media to keep up with new event announcements.
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Tags: vegan, vegan fair, vegan UK
