It’s common today to find alternatives to the foods you love. Just look at the various fast-food chains pushing plant-based options for consumers. Take a stroll down the aisles at the grocery store, and you’ll find brands dedicating their missions to vegan lifestyles. Whether you are vegan or simply looking to live a healthier lifestyle, there are new options popping up every day. For folks in the Delaware Valley, they should know this organization that is creating exciting plant-based experiences. 

Delaware Valley VEG 

The core of Delaware Valley VEG is simple: get people to eat more plants. However, it’s more than just spreading awareness. Owners Lisa Westfall and Mark Liskey strive to bring innovative experiences to all consumers. 

Westfall and Liskey started their plant-based journey 10 years ago. The husband and wife duo were vegetarians and went all in on a vegan lifestyle after Westfall’s Fibromyalgia diagnosis. After a few personal dietary trials, Westfall landed on a 30-day plant-based regimen. She felt a significant quality of life improvement and decided to continue her vegan journey. 

Today, she and her husband are still committed to a plant-based diet. Her lifestyle grew into being a “Philosophical Vegan,” which incorporates the 3 main aspects of eating plants: health, environment, and animals. All of these aspects drive the mission of Delaware Valley VEG. 

The Vegan Experiences

Westfall told Bizcolumnist.com, “our mission is to help make it easier for folks to eat more plants, whether that’s helping neighbors find great vegan food at restaurants, hosting cooking demonstrations and vegan product tastings, or helping to increase access to plant-based food for populations who might not otherwise have that option.” 

Delaware Valley VEG’s mission is the force behind the exciting local events. 

On the second Tuesday of every month, they partner with a restaurant to create an exclusive vegan menu called “Dine Around.” The one-night-only event features a plant-based menu for vegans or “veg-curious” foodies. 

DVV focuses its efforts on helping those in need as well. They partner with Ann’s Heart of Phoenixville to provide vegan options for their Pay it Forward Cafe and Code Blue Emergency Warming Center program.

You might have heard of Diner en Vert, which is a pop-up “green” gala focused on sustainability. The event serves as a fundraiser for Ann’s Heart and Delaware Valley Veg. Guests don’t learn about the location until the day of the event. After it’s announced they can arrive, show off their favorite green outfits, enjoy tons of vegan food, adult beverages, live music, fun activities, and a sunset champagne toast to celebrate the summer solstice.  

Diner en Vert 2023 is June 24 from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. and tickets will go on sale in March.

The Future of Delaware Valley Veg 

The organization is new and growing. This year, the team plans on building a 10-day whole foods, plant-based dietary immersion program to demonstrate the health benefits of eating plants. Additionally, they want to host virtual animal sanctuary tours, film screenings, cooking demos, and other fun educational workshops. 

If you want to reach out to DVV for more info you can contact them at DelawareValleyVEG@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page. You can contact them for any questions regarding transitioning to a plant-based diet too!