Meet the Powerhouse Supporters of the Compassionate Living Festival
By Alexandra Huff
We’re so excited to bring the first VegFest since 2019 back to Portland! The Compassionate Living Festival, happening September 28 from 12-6 at Norse Hall, is brought to you by Northwest VEG, in partnership with Chelsea V. Davis of @VeggiesDoItBetter and six amazing sponsors. Boasting lots of free food and drink samples, a speaker series, chef cooking demos, kids activities, and more – you don’t want to miss this event!
The 2019 VegFest had over 6000 attendees and was a destination event for many, some who even traveled from other states to attend. This mini-VegFest marks not only the 20-year anniversary of Northwest VEG, but also the return of the festival to the Portland area – and the plan to go really big again in 2025!
The festival would not be possible without the support of our amazing partner and sponsors who regularly support the vegan community. Chelsea V. Davis is our own local vegan celebrity and dynamic founder of the Vegan Night Market in Portland, OR, an event that brings together local plant-based businesses and the vegan community in a vibrant and inclusive space. Passionate about creating platforms for compassionate living, Chelsea co-founded the Animal Rights Collective Portland (ARCPDX) and is dedicated to promoting ethical and sustainable lifestyles through her work. She will also be part of our panel discussion in the speaker room at the festival, sharing her experience on activism and community engagement.
Platinum Sponsor Dill Ward is a vegan realtor with an unwavering focus on listening to her clients’ needs and expertly fulfilling them. Approaching real estate holistically, she developed a unique branded process, the “Inspired Housing Conversation,” which blends life coaching concepts into the real estate transaction process. Dill believes that a house is an important part of a person’s story and wealth creation, as well as a place to explore the next version of oneself. Dill is also passionate about supporting women in business with her organization “Women With Moxie.” She motivates and inspires the world through public speaking and building community, one neighbor at a time.
Our two Gold Sponsors are Kimberly Sullivan of Hairodactyl Salon, and Prime Roots, the famous plant-based deli meat provider.
Prime Roots is a plant-based meat company based in Berkeley, CA dedicated to crafting sustainable deli and charcuterie products in classic flavors like turkey, ham, salami, pepperoni, bacon, paté, and foie gras. Make sure to stop by their table and sample their free delicious offerings. Prime Roots aims to reinvent the traditional deli case by offering plant-based meats that are clean, wholesome, and sustainable. Using koji to replace the umami taste and texture of meat, their products are designed for deli and restaurant use. Prime roots recently received the Food and Wine Magazine Game Changers award and Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas award.
Hairodactyl is a vegan and cruelty free hair salon located in Portland. Their amazing and experienced staff provide a fun and inviting atmosphere for everyone, focusing on providing a safe space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. They exclusively use vegan and cruelty free hair products that actually work, they serve all hair types, and they also sell products to take home. They invite you to stop by their booth for some fun and to say “Hi!” Then schedule your next cut or color on their website to find a time that works for you. Kimberly, the proprietor, also plans to offer a fun “hairaoke” experience (get your hair braided and sing some karaoke) in the Oslo Lounge of Norse Hall at the festival, so be sure to stop by her booth and get ready to belt out your best performance!
Our Silver Sponsors are The Better Bar, Camellia Pistrina, and the Savvy Frugal Vegan.
The Better Bar, so much more than an energy bar, is a whole lot of better, squeezed into a bar. The only bar built for perfect digestion, it is made from allergen free superfoods, raw pressed to taste, to help you feel amazing. Densely packed with nutrients and antioxidants, it is a superfood for any occasion. Perfect as a midday pick-me-up or an evening treat, great for all-day adventures, or a pre-workout boost. It’ll even please the kiddos. Because wholeness makes a difference. Be sure to stop by their booth, try a free sample, and take some Better Bars home!
Camellia Pistrina is a Portland-based vegan patisserie specializing in seasonal tea-infused, French-inspired, botanical pastries. Their luscious creations are as beautiful as they are delicious. They use local farm-fresh seasonal ingredients, Pacific Northwest stone-ground flour, organic products, local tea distributors, and also provide gluten-free options. Stop by their booth to try some of their mouthwatering free samples! And if you have any special upcoming events in need of a unique dessert, they welcome the chance to collaborate with customers on special events, even developing curated desserts. You can find their creations on the dessert menu at all-vegan Obon Shokudo restaurant as well.
Heather Zeitzwolfe, owner and proprietor of The Savvy Frugal Vegan, is dedicated to living compassionately and guiding others to do the same through coaching, workshops, and events. As a speaker, teacher, activist, and content creator, Heather’s mission is to use these to support one million people in adopting and maintaining a healthy, affordable, plant-based diet. Heather will take part in the panel discussion in the festival’s speaker room, so be sure to catch this session to learn more about her special offers.
We truly appreciate our partners and sponsors, and we are thrilled to have you meet them and the many other exhibitors that will be showcasing their delicious, beautiful and compassionate offerings at the Northwest VEG 2024 Compassionate Living Festival! Tickets are still available. We hope to see you there!