Treats, Sweets and Political Eats at the NY Vegetarian Food Festival

Cinnamon Snail Vegan Food Truck at the NY Vegetarian Food Festival

Posting and images contributed by Guest Blogger Ed Lefkowicz of Ed Lefkowicz Photography.

The New York Vegetarian Food Festival brought vendors and exhibitors from far and wide to the Metropolitan Pavilion for two days of tasting and demonstrations. The 2012 People’s Choice Vendy award-winning Cinnamon Snail food truck wisely pulled up to the curb before the doors opened, and a hungry crowd lined up quickly for their vegan and organic fare.

Inside, food vendors ranged from the large and corporate, like Westsoy, to the small and local. Among the local vendors were Williamsburg’s Cake Bites, with vegan and gluten-free cake truffles; Gramercy’s Beyond Sushi, with vegan sushi; Brooklyn’s Pipernilli with cookies; Brooklyn’s Regal Vegan with samples of their Faux Gras; and nearby New Jersey’s Pink Frosting Bakery. If the number of desserts exhibitors is any measure, the Great Carbohydrate Scare seems to have dissipated, even among vegetarians: pastries and sweets were clearly in the ascendant.

Socially and politically active groups supporting animal rights were there as well, including NYCLASS (New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets, which is fighting to ban carriage horses in the city), Sea Shepherd and Juno the Rescued Beagle .

The festival included some terrific food to sample—a lot of it from local vendors—whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan or omnivore. (There was no entrance exam.)