Eva writes:
 We organise monthly vegan cookery skill-shares and workshops. These are usually followed by free food giveaways in the city centre, where we give out free recipe books and nutritional advice, as well as the food samples!
The skill shares are really fun, in May we organised one for national vegetarian week and made vegan pizza, scones and giant marble cakes. The previous skill share, in April, was the week of the worldwide vegan bake sale and we made all sorts of different types of vegan cakes - including lemon drizzle cake, black forest gateaux, vanilla cupcakes, chocolate muffins and treacle tart. The aim is to share tips about how to veganise food, whilst having fun cooking together.
It'd be fantastic if people wanted to come along and join us for any of the workshops. Also, if there are any things that people particularly want to learn how to cook, we'd be more than happy to demonstrate how at the workshops.
Precise dates are decided nearer the time, but the workshops this year have tended to be on the last Thursday of the month, with a giveaway in town the following day.
People are also welcome to join us in giving out the food at the give-aways- we always need volunteers. At these events we give out a list of local businesses that have supported our campaign, which is shown below.
Anyone interested in food issues, 'Food Not Bombs', 'Food & Climate Change' etc is invited to get involved, to establish a network for more events of this nature, and see more info from our Vegan Campaigning Skilllshare.
Donations welcome and needed to help with the costs of ingredients.
Past events have included
2011
- 14th July - Rev Billy's Stop Shopping Gospel Choir @ McDonalds + Vegan Free Food Give-Away. Report at Nottm Indymedia
- 15th June at Clumber Street to mark the anniversary of 1997 McLibel High Court Victory.
- May 27th: Veggies Burgers, Cakes and pasties from Screaming Carrot were distributed at Exchange Walk McDonalds to mark National Vegetarian Week.
- April 30th: a small vegan cake giveaway was held at Nottingham's Mayday 2011 event as part of the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale.
- March 12th: held in Bradford during the Animal Rights Spring Gathering.
- Feb 15th: to mark the 2005 McLibel Human Rights Victory Anniversary
2010from Round Up of Nottingham’s 2010 Free Food Give-Aways
- December 11th: One Day – One City – Ten Vegan Free Food Giveaways as a direct replacement for the East Midlands Vegan Festival. Full report and pictures at Nottingham Indymedia
- November 1st: World Vegan Day - Derby's first Vegan Free Food Giveaway
- October 15th: Veggies Anniversary / McLibel Giveaway
- September 30th: Freshers Giveaway at Trent University.
- July 29/30th: Vegan Cooking Skillshare, with a burger theme, followed by Vegan Food Giveaway Outside McDonald's: Indymedia photo report by Tash.
- May 27/28th: Vegan Cookery Skillshare, held as part of National Vegetarian Week, followed by a Free Vegan Food Giveaway in Nottingham City Centre, supported by Dotty's Cafe, Screaming Carrot and Veggies Catering Campaign.
- April 29/30th: A Vegan Cake Baking Skillshare was held as part of the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale, followed by a Free Vegan Food Giveaway in Nottingham City Centre. Report on Indymedia
- March 13th: Supporting Animal Aid's Veggie Month; part of the UK Animal Rights Spring Gathering. Report on Indymedia
- February 15th: To mark the McLibel Human Rights Victory Anniversary
- January 18th: Support for Anti-Militarist Action, together with visit of Food Not Bombs founder, Keith McHenry.
2009
- October 16th: World Food Day - part of Veggies 25th Anniversary Action/Weekend
- June 19th: McLibel Trial Anniversary
- May: National Vegetarian Week
2008
- November 29th: Lincoln Vegan Food Fair
- November 1st: World Vegan Day at West Midlands Vegan Festival
- October 16th - World Food Day / Global Day of Action against McDonalds.
- October 6th - University Give-Away.
- July 31st & Aug 21st: Outside McNasty - Indymedia Report.
- July 4th, in advance of Viva!’s Incredible Veggie Roadshow - Indymedia Report.
- June 19th: McLibel Trial Anniversary
- June 3rd: Day of Action on Food and Climate Change - Indymedia Report
- May 15th: McLibel Human Rights Anniversary - Indymedia Report
 As the dates roll by - twenty three so far - the costs are adding up. If you can help with a donation, please click here:
Free Vegan Food Give-aways have been supported with foods from:
- Veggies Catering Campaign
- Alley Cafe, Cannon Court, Long Row West, Nottingham NG1 6JE. Ph: 0115 955 1013
- Annie's Burger Shack at
- Dotty's Cafe - sadly closed.
- Screaming Carrot, 42 Foxhall Road, Forest Fields, Nottingham NG7 6LJ. Ph: 0115 910 3013
- Squeek, 23-25 Heathcote Street, Nottingham NG1 3AG. Ph: 0115 955 5560
- Sumac Centre (vegan café and bar, 245 Gladstone Street, Nottingham, NG7 6HX. Ph: 0845 458 9595
- Bute Island Foods
- Plamil Chocolate
- Redwoods Wholefoods
For more info on all things vegan in Nottingham see http://www.veggies.org.uk/nvvs and the Vegan Nottingham Guide at http://www.vegan-nottingham.co.uk/
Viva! have compiled a listing covering a wider area, at http://www.viva.org.uk/roadshows08/nottingham_vfp.html
For more vegan campaigning ideas see the Vegan Society and Vegan Campaigns (London).
As an indication of the effectiveness of vegan catering campaigning here is a summary of responses from members of the public attending Viva's Roadshow at the Council House in July 2008.
SUMMARY:
Over 43% of visitors were meat eaters or largely veggie but ate fish/chicken.
Over 58% buy free-range items regularly, with over 54% buying organic and over 44% dairy-free products regularly.
Over 14% suffer from food intolerances/allergies, notably dairy and wheat/gluten.
Over 71% of visitors were female.
Visitors were equally spread across the age range, particularly between 16-64.
Around a quarter of visitors heard about the roadshow through Viva!, with around 20% through word of mouth and the same having seen an invite/poster. Over 18% were given a flyer/saw the placard on the day.
Almost everyone attending a talk or cookery demo found it extremely/very interesting.
Over 82% and 87% of those trying hot food and product samples (over 86% of visitors) thought they were very/extremely tasty.
Over 60% were surprised at the variety of veggie foods, with over 93% saying they will consider buying one or more of the products in future.
Over 11% of visitors said they would go vegan or vegetarian.
Over 22% said they would eat/drink less dairy and over 14% less meat.
Over 52% said they were changing their diet because it was healthier and over 46% because it was kinder to animals over 46%. The environment scored over 35% and because it was tastier over 18%.
COMMENTS:
Very challenging and makes me think I can make the change without fear of protein withdrawal!
I was shocked to know what people do to animals - I'll try hard to change.
What a super day. I've always wanted to come to one of these days but they have always been too far away. Keep up your good work. I will certainly spread the word. Tony Wardle excellent.
Have not eaten meat for 20+ years. Show encourages me to go further.
These kind of events are brilliant! They remind you of why you made the choice to be vegetarian/vegan. They are informative and you meet likeminded people, get resources and eat great food. Thank you!
Really enjoyable and informative. Very impressed with the info and samples to persuade meat eaters to change their diet for good!
First veggie roadshow I've ever been to. Excellent. Loads of info to take home and read through.
Very positive experience and a good mix of existing vegans, vegetarians and newcomers.
Really enjoyed today - thought it was excellent. Very informative.
Note relating to Free Info Stalls
Many groups do street stalls regularly without restriction, so long as nothing is sold and no donations are taken.
See the 'addition' to the Indymedia article at http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/10/352444.html which makes it clear that permits are not required for distribution of printed matter (a) by or on behalf of a charity within the meaning of the Charities Act 1993, where the printed matter relates to or is intended for the benefit of the charity; [in practice including unregistered 'charitable' groups], or
(b) where the distribution is for political purposes or for the purposes of a religion or belief. [eg belief in the promotion of vegan diet].
 Veggies will be at this event - Sign Up to join our crew.
If you'd like us to bring you any of our foods, literature or campaign goods, some of which are on our online shop please contact us with details
  Whenever possible Veggies feature the publications of the Movement for Compassionate Living, which we print and distribute to promote simple living and vegan self-reliance as a remedy to the exploitation of humans, animals and the Earth. We also support our nominated charity, Vegfam, ‘Feeding the hungry without exploiting animals’. If you can help us with either of these projects at this event, whilst we are busy with Veggies catering, please email pat@veggies.org.uk.
Public Transport details may be available from http://www.traveline.org.uk/
Concerned about carbon emmisions? click here |
Veggies Catering Campaign and Nottingham Animal Rights hold regular free vegan food giveaways in Nottingham City Centre. See reports on Indymedia.
Please contact nottsfreefood[at]gmail.com if you are interested in providing some food samples for the day, or helping out in any other way. Or call 07870 861837.
