The FARM BuzzIf you were in the D.C. area on June 5th you probably heard about Planet Bethesda. The first annual Planet Bethesda, a World Environment Day Festival, was a smashing success that attracted more than 2,500 attendees. The plant-based “vegfest”, hosted by Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM), Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), and Sustainable Earth Eating (SEE), was held on Sunday, June 5, at Elm Street Urban Park and attracted vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike.
Plant Based Products for The Planet
Planet Bethesda featured more than two dozen Bethesda-area businesses and organizations including restaurants, eateries, and green energy companies. Attendees had the option to purchase cruelty-free personal care products, clothing, and Eco-smart merchandise as well as delicious 100% plant-based foods from local vendors.
Planet Bethesda Fun
In addition to the wide variety of booths, the festival offered fun for the entire family with an activity-filled Kids’ Korner, Bier Garten, Canine Courtyard for the furry attendees, and live music that provided the perfect opportunity to enjoy time with friends and family.
Over 100 children attended the Mad Science show hosted by Mad Science of Washington, DC. The Red Bandana Bakery also sponsored a pie eating contest for 12 lucky contestants ranging in age from 7 to 47. The winner was awarded a giant, vegan charcuterie basket filled with an abundance of items to enjoy including Treeline Cheeses.
Environmentally Friendly Speakers
Throughout the day the main stage was filled with inspiring speakers that began with a rousing kick-off speech by Congressman Jamie Raskin. The speaker lineup included:
- Vanita Rahman, MD, a board-certified internal medicine physician, certified nutritionist, and personal trainer, represented Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
- Seth Goldman, co-founder of Eat the Change® and PLNT Burger, brands that empower consumers to make dietary choices aligned with their concerns around climate and health
- Eric C Lindstrom, Executive Director of Farm Animal Rights Movement
- Milton R. Mills, who has lectured and given research seminars across the United States, Mexico, Canada and the UK on a variety of preventive health topics, including the negative impacts of meat and dairy consumption on human health
- Saurabh Dalal, a lifelong vegetarian, ethical vegan since 1991, who also volunteers as a board member/advisor to numerous vegan-oriented organizations, (including past board member of FARM) in addition to having been an active board member of the Veg Society of DC
- Jane Demarines, Executive Director of Sustainable Earth Eating, dedicated to advancing causes related to environmental conservation and green community development
- Lakshman (Lucky) Mulpuri, graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University’s School of Medicine and now a plant-based practitioner
Plant Based Promise
In addition to promoting some of the area’s most impressive plant-based offerings nearly 200 attendees opted to take the “Plant-Based Promises” challenge involving making plant-based purchases and decisions over the months to come. We think everyone who attended will agree that we can’t wait to see what Planet Bethesda brings to the area in 2023.
The FARM Buzz
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