Vegan fair comes to Bournemouth for the first time
Bournemouth animal lovers and foodies are being invited to visit the first ever Vegan Fair in the town on Saturday 28 June.
Taking place at the Highcliff Marriott Hotel from 11am-4.30pm, the event will host around 30 stalls and visitors will be able to sample tasters, watch demonstrations, collect recipes and talk to suppliers and experts.
Selling everything from tasty raw snacks to vegan shoes, many of the stallholders are from the local area including Purbeck Ice Cream, Lush and Gold Hill Organics.
Organiser Lizzie Shaw from Dorset Vegan said: “We are so excited to be hosting the first ever Vegan Fair in Bournemouth!
“With more and more people turning to plant-based diets as a healthy, cruelty free and environmentally friendly way to live, we’re expecting the event to be really popular. It will be great to bring together so many fabulous products and services under one roof and showcase the best of what is available on the growing vegan market.
“There will also be talks and demonstrations throughout the day to give people new ideas and show just how easy it is to live a vegan lifestyle.”
Lizzie set up Dorset Vegan a year ago as a guide to vegan-friendly restaurants, cafes and local businesses. Since then she has been surprised at the level of support shown by Bournemouth eateries and businesses.
She continued: “In recent years veganism has become infinitely more popular with people really recognising the many benefits it brings. In Bournemouth I have noticed a large increase in the number of restaurants catering for vegans as well as products available in local shops.
“This makes it so simple for those who choose to live this way of life and events like this only strengthen the vegan community. We’re hoping people come along, learn new things and really take something away from the experience.
“Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just curious we’re welcoming everyone along and hoping that some people might be pleasantly surprised. The event is free to enter and the first 75 arrivals will receive goody bags containing sunscreen, snack bars, coconut milk, sweet potato crisps and much more!”
One supplier who will be appearing at the event is Chantal Denny from Easy to be Vegan.
Chantal, who offers help and advice to anyone thinking about becoming vegan, said: “With so many delicious foods and great products available to us these days it’s so easy to live a full vegan lifestyle.
“I’d encourage anyone who loves animals, values their health or who has environmental concerns to come and find out more about this vibrant and compassionate lifestyle. It’s going to be a great day out for all the family.”
More information and a full list of exhibitors is available at bournemouthveganfair.co.uk.