This year, Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) and advocates across the country have been campaigning against the “Save Our Bacon” (SOB) Act in the federal Farm Bill, an attempt by Big Pork companies to stop states from writing their own laws to protect farmed animals. This is our latest update to our community about these efforts, and how Minnesota is key to deciding its fate.
If passed, the SOB Act would overturn even basic protections for animals across the country, from bans on extreme confinement to restrictions on force-fed animal products like foie gras. Experts warn that it would eliminate 600+ state laws and force millions of pigs and calves into cages too small to turn around. It could also have devastating consequences for laws related to food safety, animal diseases, and public health.
The Farm Bill and the Save Our Bacon Act
What is the Farm Bill? This piece of legislation is a huge omnibus bill that goes through Congress about every five years. It’s more of a package deal and covers a huge range of all sorts of other things in food and agricultural policy, including farm subsidies, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), crop insurance, rural development, and more.
The “Save Our Bacon” (SOB) Act is a proposal backed by Big Pork lobbyists that would wipe out hundreds of state laws regulating the sale of animal products within states’ own borders. It’s just a portion of the larger Farm Bill and has wide-ranging consequences.
The team at Compassionate Action for Animals has been working tirelessly to make sure this Act doesn’t pass. Read more about the Farm Bill and Save Our Bacon Act in our previous update.
What We’ve Already Accomplished With the Save Our Bacon Act
The good news is that we’ve shown that animal advocates are a powerful force to be reckoned with. Check out some highlights of what our movement has already accomplished:
Last fall, nearly 200 members of the House from both parties signed a letter opposing the SOB Act, including Representatives Kelly Morrison, Betty McCollum, and Ilhan Omar from Minnesota. Both Republican representatives and Democrat representatives from across the country supported this measure.
In April, members filed a bipartisan amendment to remove the SOB Act from the House version of the Farm Bill. It was widely expected to pass if it got a vote.
In June, Republican Kansas Senator Roger Marshall who previously served as a lead author on the SOB Act withdrew his co-sponsorship and announced he no longer supports the bill.
In August, the current Senate lead author didn’t even introduce the SOB Act for a vote in committee after thousands of animal advocates across the country flooded their senators’ phone lines to oppose the bill.
In September, the Senate Agriculture Committee advanced the Farm Bill to the full Senate with the SOB Act totally excluded. Minnesota’s senators were key to making sure the SOB Act was left out.
Even with all this good news, our work isn’t over yet.
What’s Next for the Save Our Bacon Act? Two Key Pushes
Unfortunately, Big Pork and its allies are relentless. Even though the SOB Act never would have passed the House on an up-or-down vote, it was included in the House version of the Farm Bill due to last-minute maneuvering. That means it’s still alive in final negotiations even if the Senate leaves it out.
With almost two months left in the legislative calendar, we still have two more hurdles to clear to keep the SOB Act out of the final Farm Bill:
We need to make sure it doesn’t get added to the Senate version of the Farm Bill when it goes for a vote in the full Senate.
We need to keep Congressional leadership from slipping the SOB Act into the final bill when they meet to negotiate the differences between the House and Senate versions at the end of the year.
Minnesota Is Key in the Battle to Protect Farmed Animals
At each remaining point in the process, Minnesota is going to be key, and Minnesota residents will have a historic opportunity to make our voices heard to protect farmed animals.
Senator Amy Klobuchar is the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Representative Angie Craig is the top-ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee. They each set the tone for their party’s Farm Bill priorities and influence how their colleagues will vote. They’ll also serve as two of the four leaders on the committee that decides what the final Farm Bill will look like. And Senator Klobuchar and Senator Tina Smith will be key votes on any amendment that reaches the Senate floor.
Before the Farm Bill advances further, our members of Congress need to hear from Minnesotans that we oppose any version of the SOB Act at every stage of the Farm Bill. So far, Senators Klobuchar and Smith and Representative Craig have opposed the SOB Act, but they’re going to be under enormous pressure from Big Pork and they need to be reminded where their constituents want them to stand.
How YOU Can Help Protect Farmed Animals Now
We’ve fought hard to stop Big Pork so far, and if we keep up the effort through the end of the year, we can stop the SOB Act dead in its tracks. We just need you to join us.
The most impactful thing you can do is call our members of Congress and ask them to oppose any version of the SOB Act in the Farm Bill. All Minnesota residents can call our senators, and you can call Representative Craig even if you don’t live in her district, as she’ll be negotiating on behalf of all of Minnesota.
Call and Email Your Representatives and Senators Today
Phone numbers for key Minnesota members of Congress:
Not sure what to say? It’s ok, we’ve got you covered. We’ve provided this sample script as a starting point. Feel free to use this when you call or email, but please note that personalizing it a bit and putting it in your own voice will have an even bigger impact.
“Hi, my name is [NAME], and I live in [CITY/ZIP]. I’m calling to urge [Senator Klobuchar/Senator Smith/Representative Craig] to keep any version of the Save Our Bacon Act out of the Farm Bill. The Save Our Bacon Act would eliminate important protections for farmed animals and hurt Minnesota farmers who already invested in following the law. Please stand with your Minnesota constituents and oppose the Save Our Bacon Act. Thank you!”
It’s that easy! Together, we can take our fight across the finish line and show that Big Pork is no match for thousands of compassionate citizens. Thank you for speaking up for animals with us.
Twin Cities Veg Fest 2026 brought the fun and excitement! As the largest plant-based festival of its kind in the Midwest, this event doesn’t disappoint. And this year, it was bigger and better than ever, with outstanding special guests, delicious food, fun activities, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Let’s relive all the amazing moments of this momentous event!
Excitement Builds: The VIP Pre-Party
This year, the Twin Cities Veg Fest party started early with a VIP pre-party held at the park the night before. VIP ticket holders were treated to a spread of donated food: chips and Bitchin’ Sauce dips, hand-poured craft Summer Lakes Beverage mocktails, and a selection of pizzas from Pizza Luce. A live DJ set provided the perfect backdrop to the party atmosphere.
Guests also received a coveted swag bag and t-shirt and got a sneak peek at the park as things were being set up. It was a one-of-a-kind exclusive experience for some of our biggest fans.
Twin Cities Veg Fest honored guest and keynote speaker, John Lewis, the Badass Vegan, was on hand for photo opportunities and inspiration. John came to the festival through our partnership with silver sponsor Pihlstrom Consulting. The fun and delicious food of the evening was like an appetizer of what was to come the next day — the excitement in the air was palpable.
Getting There Early: Guests Start Lining Up
The festival began at 10 am on Sunday, September 20, but the lineup of fans started forming hours earlier. While our vendors were busily setting up inside the park, hungry attendees lined up at the front gate to be the first to get inside. The first 100 people in line also received an exclusive swag bag, full of plant-based samples, coupons, and more.
As the gates opened, attendees quickly poured into the festival grounds to find their favorite vendors and activities. Lines started forming at food trucks and food vendors almost instantly and continued throughout the day.
The Main Attraction: The Food of the Festival
For many Twin Cities Veg Fest attendees, the food is the main attraction. Food truck after food truck… and it’s all plant-based! Local vegans love that they can order whatever they want at the festival and know that it fits in with their values. But you don’t have to be vegan to enjoy all that the fest has to offer. In fact, surveys show that around 50% of Twin Cities Veg Fest attendees are NOT vegan. Many people come just to try all the delicious foods, even if they don’t subscribe to a fully vegan diet.
Vendors offer a wide variety of plant-based food and drink, including healthy options like fresh-pressed juices and rice bowls. Also on offer were festival standards like corn dogs, pizza, and egg rolls on a stick, comfort food classics like burgers, loaded tots, mac & cheese, and even vegan seafood platters. Curries, spring rolls, pad thai, momo, and more provided global influences to sample from all over the world. For the sweet tooth, vendors offered donuts, cookie dough, cobbler, candied fruit, chocolates, and more! So many options to choose from meant that every festival-goer’s experience was unique and it was impossible to try it all!
One of the most exciting parts of Twin Cities Veg Fest was the presentation from keynote speaker John Lewis, known as the Badass Vegan. With his sparkling smile and down-to-earth style, John captivated the crowd with his message. John talked about his personal journey to veganism, some of the benefits of the lifestyle, and took questions from rapt audience members. The presentation was full of tips for embracing the plant-based lifestyle and inspiring anecdotes. Some of the most poignant moments of the talk were hearing from youth in the audience ask for advice, and John responding with enthusiasm and inspiration, inviting the audience to reach out for more and to stay in touch.
Pallavi Pande, mompreneur and founder of Dtocs, was also on hand for an inspiring presentation. Dtocs provides eco-friendly, sustainable tableware, party ware, and other foodservice products. Pallavi’s talk centered on the company’s sustainability practices and how they empower women. The audience was enthralled with her informational and engaging presentation.
The Let’s Beat Breast Cancer Rally — And a Special Proclamation
Just before noon, several local drumlines started drumming up excitement from various corners of the festival grounds, all marching towards the Compassionate Action for Animals Music & Activities Stage. Here, the Let’s Beat Breast Cancer Rally kicked off a series of presentations that brought together cancer survivors and loved ones and those interested in disease prevention.
The Rally was organized in partnership with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) as part of a series of nation-wide events, as well as CAA’s Wholesome Minnesota. Survivors shared their inspiring stories and presenters gave information on how healthy habits, including eating more plant-based foods, exercise, and alcohol consumption reduction, can aid in cancer prevention.
The rally included sampling of mini mocktails made with Dhos spirits to show how fun and tasty alcohol reduction can be!
As a special addition to this year’s rally, the Saint Paul mayor made an appearance to issue a Proclamation, declaring September 20, 2026 as Twin Cities Veg Fest Day in the city of Saint Paul. The mayor also encouraged the masses to take the Veg Pledge — a promise to try more plant-based foods for one week.
The Proclamation and Rally were exciting parts of the day’s festivities, providing inspiration to many.
Rockin’ at the Festival: The Music
What would a festival be without music? And Twin Cities Veg Fest doesn’t disappoint! The drummers at the Let’s Beat Breast Cancer Rally brought big festival energy. Singer-songwriters Gaia Wilde and Jezebel Sweet both played lovely sets that got the party started and got folks in the mood for more fun.
New this year was the TCVegFest Hardcore Show, organized by teen leader Dusty Sewerpipe with support from CAA staff. This show of hardcore music featured four bands and infused the Pihlstrom Consulting Music Pavillion with punk power chords and raw, youthful energy. The lineup included Full Metal Jacket, Chronic, Collective Fate, and Clear the Gap. Young music fans danced and moshed to the music.
Closing out the festival was a rollicking set by The Riff Rangers, a local band known for their uplifting mix of jazz, swing, folk, rock, and pop covers. Attendees sang and danced along to the music, enjoying the popular hits from this fantastic local band.
The Fest’s Secret Ingredient: Cooking Demos
The cooking demos at Twin Cities Veg Fest are an annual favorite. Local chefs get to show their stuff and present plant-based dishes to audiences ready to learn new tips. And the best part? Attendees get free samples of the dishes being presented as well as recipe cards, so they can make the dishes at home.
First up was Sheila Nelson, the owner and talent behind popular local bakery Vegan East. Sheila showed guests how to make an easy and versatile plant-based Nacho Cheese Sauce. This delicious, dreamy sauce is great for chips and dip, tacos, and more!
Later in the afternoon, local chef Robin Asbell demonstrated two new dishes featuring BeLeaf vegan seafood. Robin’s exclusive recipes were Green Curry Shrimp and Salmon Poke Bowls. Two delectable options that show just how amazing plant-based eating can be!
Fun for All Ages — And Species
The festival also included an array of free activities and family-friendly fun. A morning yoga class provided a relaxing start to the day. The newly updated playground and bounce house were popular among the fest’s youngest fans and busy all day. Outdoor games like badminton and croquet offered fun diversions on the wide lawn of the park. The Baron of Bubbles joyfully set the mood for fun for all with huge bubbles floating across the outdoor games area.
Sponsor Farmaste Animal Sanctuary was there at the entrance to educate attendees about the lives of farmed animals, and at least five other booths educated attendees and gave them ways to take action on farm animal, companion animal, and wild animal protection issues.
Twin Cities Veg Fest is also welcoming to well-behaved companion animals and the dogs of the festival are a perennial favorite. Many attendees bring their dogs along and enjoy meeting other pups at the fest. We even spotted some cuddly bunnies enjoying their greens in their pet strollers!
The Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge Awards Ceremony
Capping off the wonderful day was the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge Awards Ceremony. The Challenge lasts all August, with local restaurants offering new plant-based dishes for diners to try, and then rate. All of the restaurants were honored at this exciting ceremony, and then the top winners were announced.
This year’s winners are:
1st place: Tori Ramen with their Korean BBQ Mushroom Ssam
2nd place: Golden Chow Mein with their Kung Pao Cola Tofu
3rd place: Gatherings Cafe with their Wild Harvest Tacos
This was Tori Ramen’s second Challenge win, beating the competition from many previous favorites, as well as newcomers. In fact, 2026 saw the highest number of participating restaurants ever! Several restaurants kept their dishes on the menu past the Challenge, providing more delicious plant-based options to Twin Cities diners. More than 1200 ratings were cast, and from our survey, nearly half of voters do not identify as vegan. Year after year, the Challenge is helping more Minnesotans discover how delicious and satisfying plant-based food can be.
The Awards Ceremony is always a popular part of Twin Cities Veg Fest, with attendees excitedly packing the tent to find out who won the Challenge.
Twin Cities Veg Fest Goes Green
The vegetables aren’t the only green aspect of Twin Cities Veg Fest. The fest aims to reduce waste as much as possible. Our Zero Waste Stations and volunteers help to ensure compost and recycling are properly sorted. This year, we are proud to announce that we reduced the quantity of trash from nine cans to seven, despite higher attendance numbers and nearly twice the amount of material sent to compost!
The law firm of Schwebel, Goetz, and Sieben sponsored our free shuttle service from Union Depot, along with partnering with Metro Transit to offer free transit passes for public transportation makes the festival easy to get to and reduce the carbon footprint of car travel for attendees.
The Impact of Twin Cities Veg Fest
Twin Cities Veg Fest exists as a celebratory gathering for those in the vegan community. But it’s also open to all, no matter what your dietary preferences are. And the festival is inspiring change! Among non-vegan attendees, 66% noted they were more willing to reduce meat, dairy, or eggs in their diet after visiting the fest. 72% reported greater willingness to reduce animal products in their food choices or purchases of materials such as leather, wool, and down.
Festival planners aim for the event to be bigger and better every year, and this was reflected in the many positive comments and satisfied ratings we received, like these examples:
“Thank you for such a wonderful day! VegFest is one of my very favorite days of the year, and my son and I look forward to it so much!”
“Absolutely love how this festival has gotten better each year!”
“This is better than the state fair!”
The atmosphere at the festival all day was truly joyful. So much great food to try, activities to enjoy, and people to connect with. Both festival veterans and newbies alike had loads of fun and left fully satisfied.
Thank you to sponsor Lotus Health Foundation for helping make this welcoming celebration of plant-based food and compassionate living possible.
See You Next Year!
Twin Cities Veg Fest 2026 was a huge success and we hope you’ll all join us again next year! We’d like to thank everyone who made this event possible: CAA staff, our volunteer planning committee, many volunteers who help with set up, cleanup, and day-of duties, our presenters and musicians, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees!
We know it’s hard to wait for the next festival. In the meantime, you can join us at another fun CAA event, with many options throughout the year. You can also donate to CAA to ensure the festival keeps bringing the plant-based fun for years to come.
Show your support for CAA and Twin Cities Veg Fest year-round with our fun merch! Find t-shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops, hats, baby onesies, and more in our shop — all in an expanded selection of colors and sizes.
We’ll see you soon — whether at next year’s festival, or another event!
We are thrilled to announce that Twin Cities Veg Fest will welcome John Lewis, better known as the Bad Ass Vegan, as our keynote speaker this September. John is more than an entrepreneur, author, and speaker — he’s a powerful voice for health, compassion, and positive change. His story demonstrates how one person’s transformation can inspire thousands of others to rethink what’s possible. And now you’ve got the chance to hear John speak and come away inspired from his incredible message.
Who Is the Bad Ass Vegan?
John Lewis, the Bad Ass Vegan is a multi-hyphenate talent with decades of experience in the health and fitness industry. Considered an expert in his field, John is passionate about helping others achieve their health and fitness goals through inspiration. He has worked on documentaries and written a book, Badass Vegan: Fuel Your Body, Ph*ck the System, and Live Your Life Right which features more than 80 easy plant-based recipes. John has been featured on tv and in magazines for his work and travels the world as a motivational speaker. He has a line of apparel on his website, and has partnered with VeganSmart on plant-based nutrition products.
When he’s not busy with all of those ventures, John says he loves reading and writing and thinking up new business ventures and ways to inspire others. He lists as his “bragging rights” the fact that so many people tell him he was the motivation for them to go vegan. According to John, this just makes him work harder to motivate more people. Every day, his Instagram channel, @badassvegan provides inspiration to his more than 460k followers through informative posts, with healthy doses of fun and humor mixed in.
A Journey of Transformation
Growing up in St. Louis, John faced significant challenges from an early age. By just 13 years old, he weighed 315 pounds. But, rather than allowing that to define his future, he committed himself to changing his life through dedication, discipline, and athletics. He quickly lost the extra weight through diet and exercise and excelled at football and basketball in high school and college.
His hard work in sports led him to play Division I College basketball. He also went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in marketing, followed by an MBA from Nova Southeastern University. This journey taught John something that continues to shape his work today: real strength isn’t just physical — it’s about creating a healthier future for yourself and your community. In his own words, “We may sweat, we may bleed… but we never give up“
Building the Bad Ass Vegan Movement
John’s mother was diagnosed with cancer and it prompted him to research some of the causes of disease and how to prevent them. One common theme that he kept coming back to: plant-based living. He soon adopted the plant-based lifestyle himself after learning more about it, and continues to promote the benefits of this lifestyle to others.
It wasn’t long before the plant-based spark took John to the next level: founding Bad Ass Vegan. His company is dedicated to making plant-based living approachable, empowering, and exciting. Through his books, speaking engagements, online content, and food products, John challenges outdated stereotypes about veganism, proving that compassion, athleticism, and bold living all go hand in hand. His work has inspired countless people to improve their health while embracing a lifestyle that benefits animals and the planet too. Whether he’s speaking to audiences around the world or creating delicious plant-based foods, John’s message is consistent: anyone can transform their life, and every positive choice matters.
Bad Ass Vegan Values: Health, Justice, and Compassion
For John, food is about much more than nutrition. His advocacy explores how food intersects with public health, equity, and social justice. Through documentaries, community initiatives, and public speaking, he encourages conversations about creating healthier, more equitable food systems and empowering people to take control of their own well-being. Throughout all of his work, John’s message remains hopeful: meaningful change begins with the choices we make every day, and those choices have the power to improve our own lives while creating a more compassionate world.
In everything he does, John’s passion for his values shows through. He’s a true inspiration to his clients and the hundreds of thousands he reaches through speaking engagements, his documentaries and books, and his social media channels.
See John Lewis at Twin Cities Veg Fest on September 20
We couldn’t be more excited to welcome John Lewis and his Bad Ass Vegan brand to Twin Cities Veg Fest 2026, where he’ll take the main stage to share his remarkable story and his vision for inspiring healthier people, building stronger communities, and creating a more compassionate world through plant-based living. Whether you’ve been vegan for years, are just beginning your plant-based journey, or are simply curious about the connection between food, health, and social change, John’s inspiring, down-to-earth approach is sure to leave you motivated.
John’s presentation is set to be one of the highlights of this year’s festival — and you won’t want to miss it! For years, Twin Cities Veg Fest has brought together people of all dietary styles (whether already vegan or just curious) and is a celebration of all things plant-based. As our keynote speaker, John Lewis will bring extra excitement to this year’s festival, which will also feature other guest speakers and cooking demos, live music, yoga, family friendly fun, and so much more. And we can’t forget about the food! With many food trucks and other food vendors, Twin Cities Veg Fest offers hundreds of plant-based options to try, from healthy to comfort food classics and everything in between — there’s something for everyone to enjoy! The festival — including John’s speaking engagement — is free to attend and open to all.
Join Our Exclusive VIP Pre-Party Featuring John Lewis!
Take your Twin Cities Veg Fest experience to the next level! This year, we are proud to present an exclusive VIP Pre-Party featuring John Lewis on Saturday, September 19, the evening before the festival. This is a unique opportunity to make a memorable weekend of the fest and enjoy some exclusive perks!
Join us at the Harriet Island pavilion for an intimate evening with John Lewis and a photo opportunity! Get a sneak peek at the setup on the festival grounds while you enjoy music curated by a live DJ, sampler platters of delicious vegan Pizza Lucé food, a cash bar, and the chance to connect with fellow supporters before the festival begins.
VIP guests will also receive an official Twin Cities Veg Fest t-shirt, a swag bag full of sponsor products and coupons, and exclusive early entry to the festival on Sunday — making it the ultimate way to experience Twin Cities Veg Fest 2026.
We can’t wait to welcome John — and you — to Twin Cities Veg Fest this September!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year — The Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge is here! Each year, the Challenge brings together Twin Cities area restaurants and diners, showcasing amazing new plant-based dishes. This year, we have an astounding 28 restaurants in a Challenge that’s shaping up to be our most exciting yet! Get ready to dine your way across the metro area, sampling some of the best plant-based fare the Twin Cities has to offer.
What Restaurants Are in the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge?
From returning champions to brand-new contestants, this year’s Challenge is full of amazing restaurants to try. We are pleased to announce that last year’s three top-rated champs, Namaste Cafe, Reverie Cafe + Bar, and Food on the Fly are all back for more this year. They’ll each be featuring a brand-new dish for this year’s Challenge, so be sure to check out their new offerings. See for yourself how they stack up to the new participants and other returning favorites.
We are also excited to welcome the restaurants joining the Challenge this year for the first time:
Black Duck
The Copper Hen
Channa Trinidadian Kitchen
Gardens of Salonica
Gatherings Cafe
Golden Chow Mein
Vivi Bubble Tea Apple Valley
The full list of Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge participants is now available — and you can see photos and descriptions of each restaurant’s Challenge dish. Featuring a diverse mix of delectable plant-based entries, this list will tantalize your taste buds and get you excited for the Challenge. Use it to plan out which dishes are must-eats for you!
Which Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge Restaurants to Try in 2026
With so many amazing restaurants to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. Of course, you can choose what you’re most interested in from the list of participants or head to your neighborhood favorites. But we highly recommend trying something new too! You just might find your new go-to spot for delicious vegan food!
Make it a family outing or bring along some friends — dine-in, takeout, there’s really no wrong way to do the Challenge. Try a few or try them all! With 31 days in August and 30 restaurants in the Challenge, you could visit one restaurant per day, treating yourself to a month’s worth of delicious restaurant food. Think you could handle the ultimate Challenge of visiting ALL the restaurants in one month? One family has been doing just that for the past two years! In 2024 and 2025, the Lundquist family found a fun new family tradition and bonding experience through the Challenge, eating their way through every restaurant on the list both years.
If you want to take on the Challenge and try as many restaurants as possible, the Lundquists offered a few tips. It can help to share dishes among your dining companions and visit several restaurants in one day. With this in mind, we’ve created a few routes that group restaurants together to make it easier to visit multiple locations in one trip.
Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge Suggested Routes
We get it. It can be tough to squeeze in all of the dishes you want to try in one month! Our suggested routes make it a little easier to visit multiple restaurants so you can maximize your Challenge experience.
Saint Paul Route
Visit the Capitol city for four amazing Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge dishes. This route takes you down West 7th, into downtown St. Paul, and then crosses the river into West Side.
Restaurants on this route:
Golden Chow Mein Restaurant — Kung Pao Cola Tofu
Tori Ramen — Korean BBQ Mushroom Ssam
Sawatdee Thai (Saint Paul) — Gaeng Som (Thai Sour Curry)
Crasqui Restaurant — Dish TBD as of writing
Downtown Minneapolis Route
For an easy dining trip through downtown Minneapolis, try this suggested route that includes six restaurants from the list. Visit the Northeast neighborhood, downtown, and the University area while you sample some delicious plant-based dishes.
Restaurants on this route:
Gardens of Salonica — Savory Greek Watermelon and Grape Tomato Salad
Food on the Fly — Bulgogi Plate
Lutunji’s Palate — Chorizo Fries
Gatherings Cafe — Wild Harvest Tacos
Hard Times Cafe — Kimchi Tteokbokki
South Minneapolis Route
A little south of downtown Minneapolis, you can complete a route with seven restaurants participating in the challenge. Make your way through several of south Minneapolis’ neighborhoods to find several of the Challenge contestants in one trip.
Restaurants on this route:
Namaste Cafe — Golden Schnitzel with Spicy Masala Cream
The Copper Hen Cakery & Kitchen — Jamaican Curried Lentil Pierogis
Channa Trinidadian Kitchen — Doubles
Gigi’s Cafe — Dish TBD as of writing
Pat’s Tap — Tempura Fried Tofu Sandwich
Reverie Cafe + Bar — Parsnip Confit
The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar — Vegan Style Poutine
West Suburbs Route
Just to the west of the Twin Cities, you can complete another route with six more participating restaurants. Start in southwest Minneapolis and travel west through the suburbs to try more delicious options.
Restaurants on this route:
Book Club Restaurant — Tofu Chow Mei Fun
Starling — Harissa Marinated Tofu Enchiladas
The Block (SLP Location) — Seitan Birria Tacos
Wells Roadside — Pretzel Jack Stack
Pub 819 — Sesame Chickpeas
Duke’S on 7 — Korean BBQ Bowl
Enjoy the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge Your Way
No matter what routes you choose or which restaurants you visit, the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge is a way to discover new tastes, find new favorites, and be a part of the excitement of more plant-based meal options for all.
Every time you dine at one of the Challenge restaurants, you become part of the action and have a chance to choose the winners and win prizes yourself! The online rating system will be available starting August 1st and open through August 31st. Rate every dish you try to help us crown the winner! This is your chance to be a food critic and participate in the fun of the Challenge.
You can also help us spread the word about the Challenge and share your experiences on social media. Follow @exploreveg on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest updates, and tag us on your posts about the Challenge too!
Posting and submitting your ratings can even win you prizes. Participate and you could win gift cards, t-shirts, and other fabulous prizes. How can you win? We have multiple ways to participate and have a chance at the prizes:
Complete the highest number of dish ratings during the challenge
Post about the challenge on Instagram or Facebook (weekly raffle winners)
Who Will Win the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge?
The Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge is an exciting time and a great opportunity to support local businesses and enjoy new plant-based dishes. Enjoy a meal yourself or invite some friends and family to try it with you. Want to meet some new people and enjoy dining out in the Twin Cities? Check out our events page for several dine-out event options at participating Challenge restaurants.
Rate your dishes and post about them on social media and you could win awesome prizes! And the restaurants with the highest ratings will take home the top honors as winners of the Challenge. The winners will be announced at Twin Cities Veg Fest on September 20. Join us for an exciting and popular awards ceremony at the end of the festival. It’s a fun event that’s not to be missed.
One restaurant will be declared the winner of the Challenge. Several diners will win prizes for posting and rating dishes. But really, we’re all winners when there are more plant-based options for dining!
The federal Farm Bill is now moving through the Senate after passing in the House of Representatives at the end of April. Many of our supporters contacted their legislators and made their voices heard to oppose the dangerous “Save Our Bacon” (SOB) Act, which would overturn hundreds of state-level animal protection laws. Unfortunately, the version of the bill passed by the House includes the SOB Act and will allow Congress to consider the SOB Act for inclusion when they write a compromise Farm Bill later this year.
Minnesota is now one of the most important states in the fight against the SOB Act because our senator, Amy Klobuchar, is the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and will play a leadership role in shaping the Senate’s version of the Farm Bill. Minnesota Senator Tina Smith is also on the committee and will make important contributions to the bill’s final shape, and Senator Klobuchar and Representative Angie Craig will sit on the committee that negotiates the compromise version of the House and Senate Farm Bills. Thanks to advocates like you, the Senate’s draft Farm Bill does not include the SOB Act—but we need to keep our voices heard to make sure it’s not added later on.
It’s more important than ever to speak up and make sure the Farm Bill doesn’t contain any version of the “Save Our Bacon” Act. The good news is that it’s super easy to make a difference. Read below and we’ll show you how.
What Is the Farm Bill?
The Farm Bill is a huge omnibus bill that passes through Congress roughly every five years. It is a package deal that covers a wide range of issues in food and agricultural policy, including farm subsidies, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), crop insurance, rural development, and more. The House version of this year’s Farm Bill also contains the SOB Act, which would undo protections for farmed animals across the country, including in Minnesota. If enacted, it would have serious consequences for animals, people, and communities.
Why Minnesota’s Voice Is So Important
Minnesota has already made meaningful progress for animals this past year. Advocates in our community have advanced protections for dogs and cats from puppy mills, and Hennepin County continues work on its plant-based-by-default policy for county events.
But at the federal level, those kinds of hard-won protections are under threat.
Both of Minnesota’s Senators serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee, which is now negotiating its version of the Farm Bill. Senator Klobuchar is the committee’s ranking member and sets the tone for Senate Democrats’ priorities as they “mark up” (or amend) the bill in committee and on the full Senate floor.
After the Senate version of the Farm Bill is passed, the House and Senate bills will go to a special body called a conference committee, which decides what the final version of the bill is going to look like. As ranking member of the Senator Agriculture Committee, Senator Klobuchar will lead Senate Democrats on the conference committee. Representative Craig, also from Minnesota, is the ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee and will lead House Democrats on the conference committee. That means two of the four leadership positions will be held by lawmakers from Minnesota.
This gives Minnesota a powerful role in stopping the SOB Act from moving forward. It also means that we need to focus our messaging on Minnesota’s interests, like local control, public health, and the farm economy, to have the greatest impact on our representatives.
What Is the Save Our Bacon Act?
The “Save Our Bacon” (SOB) Act is a proposal backed by Big Pork lobbyists that would wipe out hundreds of state laws regulating the sale of animal products within states’ own borders. Legal experts at Harvard Law School have warned that it would invalidate more than 600 state laws nationwide, affecting protections for farmed animals as well as laws related to food safety, animal diseases, and public health.
On its own, this proposal would face fierce opposition from animal advocates, independent family farmers, public health experts, state and local governments, and supporters of states’ rights across the political spectrum. Instead of giving the SOB Act its own up-or-down vote, Big Pork lobbyists are trying to slip it into the Farm Bill—a piece of legislation that Congress is under enormous pressure to pass—while blocking efforts to remove it.
For farmed animals, the stakes could not be higher. The SOB Act is primarily targeted at California’s Proposition 12, which voters overwhelmingly approved in 2018 to stop the sale of pork, eggs, and veal from animals raised in extreme confinement.
Today, Proposition 12 is widely regarded as one of the strongest animal protection laws in the world, and it has already improved conditions for millions of farmed animals. The SOB Act would undo that progress and prevent states from passing similar protections in the future.
How You Can Make a Difference
This may all sound scary, but it’s also reason for action. When all of us make our voices heard, we can create change.
The most important thing you can do for animals right now is call and email Senator Klobuchar, Senator Smith, and Representative Craig to let them know you oppose any version of the “Save Our Bacon” Act in the Farm Bill and you want them to keep fighting and make a public statement that the SOB Act is an unacceptable “poison pill” for Farm Bill negotiations.
Call Your Representatives
Calling your Congressional representatives is easier than you think! When you call, you’ll likely either talk with a staffer or be prompted to leave a message. Calls from constituents are logged, and lawmakers listen to what their constituents want. Phone calls are among the most effective ways to make your voice heard. Call these numbers to get in touch with our representatives’ offices:
Senator Amy Klobuchar: 202-224-3244
Senator Tina Smith: 202-224-5641
Representative Angie Craig: 202-225-2271
Email Your Representatives
Maybe making calls isn’t your style. Or maybe you’ve already tried calling and the voicemail box is full. Sending an email is the next best thing. Share your opinions in writing and send them off to these links:
Contacting your representatives can be intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be! When you call or email, please personalize your message to fit your own personality and what you’d like to say. To make it even easier, we’ve provided a sample script below.
Hi, my name is [NAME], and I’m a constituent from [CITY/ZIP].
I’m calling to thank Senator [NAME] for opposing the “Save Our Bacon” Act in the Farm Bill, and asking her to oppose any version of it from being included in the final Farm Bill, and make a public statement to that effect.
The Save Our Bacon Act would override hundreds of state and local laws—including at least a dozen Minnesota laws protecting against animal diseases.
Minnesota voters should have the right to set our own standards that protect farmers, animals, and public health. Congress should not strip that authority away from us.
[For Klobuchar only] As someone running to be the next Governor of Minnesota, it’s critical that you protect Minnesota’s ability to make its own laws.
Please keep working to keep any version of the Save Our Bacon Act out of the Farm Bill and let your colleagues know that it’s a poison pill for negotiations. Thank you.
More Ways You Can Help
If you’ve already called or emailed, thank you for making your voice heard! You can contact your representatives as often as daily about any issue you care about—so call or email again. And again. Every call and email is another voice for animals and our community!
Here are more ways to be involved:
Are you a family farmer or connected to someone who is?Contact us
Are you a public health expert or connected to one?Contact us
Together, we are making life better for farmed animals. Stay tuned for more action alerts and join us at an event soon. Our community is strong and we are so grateful for all the ways you show up!
