One of the top ways for food and lifestyle startups to attract new fans and customers is by participating in experiential festivals. Over the weekend, a plethora of SoCal’s top vegan lifestyle companies did just that at the EAT DRINK VEGAN festival, held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. At the event, thousands of animal lovers enjoyed some of the West Coast’s renowned vegan food options and countless pours of cruelty-free beverages.
EAT DRINK VEGAN provided an interactive space for vegan food, drink, and clothing companies to promote their offerings to swarms of consumers who live animal-friendly lives. Of course, everyone went gaga over the vegan food options at the festival, such as Kelly’s Croutons (featuring their delicious Just Crumbs garlic “cheese” crouton crumbles that spice up all meals). Everyone also loved Southern Fried Vegan‘s zesty, animal-friendly barbecue meals, as well as Urban Ramen and I Eat Grass‘s healthy, plant-based meals.
Other must-have meals to try were The Original Grilled Cheese Truck‘s vegan grilled cheese sandwiches, Mama’s International Tamales, Kogi BBQ‘s veggie appetizers, and Sizzle Pie‘s wonderful vegan pizza slices. The animal lovers in attendance also enjoyed Badmaash‘s mouthwatering veggie Indian dishes, Shojin‘s vegan Japanese dishes, Yvonne’s Vegan Kitchen, and Riot Grill‘s quality, ethical eats. Another top favorite was Donna Jean, a favorite local vegan food joint in San Diego, CA.
Cruelty-free desserts also had a major presence at EAT DRINK VEGAN, with veggie lovers flocking to the booths for top picks like Uncle Eddie’s Vegan Cookies and luscious chocolate truffles by You Are Loved Foods. Fans also adored Shugah Mama‘s tantalizing cookies, Treats by B, Pacari‘s organic dark chocolate, and Yoga-urt‘s delicious Mango Sunrise kombucha floats made with humm’s kombucha. As per most SoCal vegan festivals, people swarmed the tents for wondrous vegan donuts from Donut Friend and Donut Farm.
Shugah Mama partnered with the nonprofit Cat Cafe Lounge in Los Angeles, which is opening this summer in West LA. The owner, Kristi Labrenz, was happy to tell Home Business Magazine all about what consumers could expect from Cat Cafe Lounge.
“We are the only nonprofit cat cafe in Los Angeles, and there are very few of us who are actually nonprofit,” Kristi said. “The whole purpose is to get more cats adopted, as they are the most at-risk in the shelters. We are going to be working with Snip LA, and they will be pulling cats that need to be rehabilitated. These cats would typically be put down in the shelter. Once the are rehabbed at Snip LA, then they will come to our facility and we will help them find their forever home.
I started this endeavor when I went to Japan. I went to a cat cafe there and said to my husband, ‘Why aren’t we doing this in the US?’ Let’s help these cats become adoptable.’ I started doing research and here I am. In the cafe, we will have some vegan food options because I am a vegan and want those options. We will also have cold brew coffee and kombucha.”
She went on to explain why festivals like EAT DRINK VEGAN are such fantastic marketing opportunities for companies.
“These festivals help promote awareness. Vegan folk are probably the most animal welfare-oriented type of people. EAT DRINK VEGAN really brings awareness to the cause of trying to save more cats,” Kristi said.
Another top highlight of EAT DRINK VEGAN was the signature 4oz glass that attendees could fill with animal-friendly wine, beer, Kombucha, tea, and more. Wine lovers enjoyed pours from Bow & Arrow, Donkey & Goat Chardonnay, Hoxie Spritzers (featuring a special EAT DRINK VEGAN & Hoxie x Field Recordings collaboration), and MIP* Classic Rosé. Attendees also flocked to the tents for Wine Fellas, Clos Siguier’s Grenache Blanc, Wine Fellas organic wine, and Bellisima Prosecco.
Craft beer was also popular at the festival, with attendees raving over brews from Barley Forge Brewing Company, Ballast Point (based in Long Beach), and ACE Cider. The festival-goers also enjoyed signature brews from Cismontane Brewing Company (a top favorite in Orange County), delectable IPA from Eel River, First Water Brewing‘s tasty beer inspired by our natural surroundings, and Frogtown Brewery‘s flavorful brews.
Health-packed Kombucha drinks and wholesome juices were also high in demand at EAT DRINK VEGAN. Attendees got to fill their glasses with GT’s Kombucha, probiotic Kombucha Dog, Zeal Kombucha, artisan-style Fermensch Kombucha, and many other favorites. The lines were also long for tantalizing coffee drinks by Califia Farms, Contra Coffee, single origin coffee brews by Brauhaus, Seaworth‘s cold brew coffee, all-organic Vida Juice, and tasty, health-packed Apple Ginger Matcha by MatchaBar. Suja also wowed everyone with their flavorful cold-pressed juices.
There were also tasty craft soda (curated by Five Star Soda), with options like Doggone Good Soda, Reed’s Ginger Brew, H2OPS, and Swamp Pop cane sugar colas.
In all, EAT DRINK VEGAN proved to be a wonderful way for animal-friendly lifestyle companies to get the word out about their products and services to thousands of potential new customers. The festival also provided the perfect space for vegan startup founders to network, share ideas, and collaborate on new projects. If you also own cruelty-free line and want to generate more brand awareness, definitely keep EAT DRINK VEGAN at the top of your list of 2018 festivals to participate in.
Contact: shannahch@gmail.com
