Food Sampling

Frequently Asked Questions

Does VegFund require that the group or person applying be vegan?
Yes. This helps to ensure that there will be at least one vegan individual who is in charge of purchasing the food and who will be present at all times during the event to leaflet and answer questions like, "What do vegans eat?"
VegFund wants our sampling table to be part of a large public event that is organized by someone other than our group. Why?
When it comes to putting on a sampling event, "doing your own thing" isn't the best route to go. If you want to get the vegan message out to a large crowd of non-vegan people, it is best to tap into an event that is already happening. Examples would be church gatherings, street fairs, campus activities, and festivals. Let someone else deal with the planning, promotion, insurance, permits, advertising, and cleanup. Then, all you need to worry about is serving the most delicious vegan samples and distributing the best vegan educational literature available.
Does VegFund actually purchase the food, serving supplies, and literature?
No. You are responsible for purchasing these items after your grant request is approved.
As a first-time applicant for a food sampling event, how much should I ask for?
Your first application should be simple. We want to get to know you and your group. Every community has an environmental fair or community expo. Those are excellent venues to get started. You could serve vegan meats, vegan cheeses, or nut/soy milk. Aim to spend no more than $150 for food, supplies, and literature and you'll have a great first event.
What is the best kind of food to serve to impress and educate a crowd?
The purpose of our funding is to introduce non-vegans to direct alternatives to meat, dairy, and eggs.  You should serve samples that are eye-opening to non-vegans and will help them transition away from animal products.  Examples include vegan meats, non-dairy milks, vegan cheese or ice cream, and vegan versions of egg-based products (e.g., tofu scramble). View our suggested food and recipes.
How many types of food samples should we serve?
Do yourself a favor and never have more than 3 items per event, 2 food items plus samples of vegan milks.
What exactly is the no-alcohol policy?
VegFund does not feel that a venue in which alcohol is served is the appropriate place to discuss animal suffering. People are there to have a good time, and often this means that they are not receptive to our message.
What if there is a big festival with various vendors, some serving alcohol, but our booth will not serve alcohol?
It depends. Please email events@vegfund.org with the specific information about the event.
What items does VegFund not reimburse?
VegFund reserves the right to withhold reimbursement for the following items: non-vegan foods, excessive or wasteful items, food or ingredients which contain products not readily available for purchase in your area, gratuities, wages, travel expenses, special equipment, special food for volunteers, bottled water, sodas, shipping, signage, office supplies, printing, ice, items which have little or no value in vegan education (e.g., coffee/tea/other common beverages) or any other items that do not fit in with the VegFund mission. WHEN IN DOUBT GET APPROVAL!
What is the VegPledge?
The VegPledge is an optional form that you can download and print from the VegFund website. (Download the VegPledge form) Make this form available during your outreach event and encourage people to sign up and pledge to go veg for a week. Return the completed forms to VegFund, and we'll send the pledgers a free vegan starter kit, complete with a veg starter guide and coupons for vegan products!
My event will have a large number of non-English speaking attendees. Do you have any suggested resources?
Yes. Please check out VegFund's Suggested International Veg Websites List
How should I promote/thank VegFund?
It's not necessary to promote or thank VegFund at your table! The public doesn't need to know about us. It is enough that you serve delicious vegan food and distribute lots of great literature. All we ask in return is that you pass our contact information along to other great vegan activists.