Edmonton

Organizations

Vegetarians Of Alberta (VoA)

The Vegetarians Of Alberta is a non-profit, registered society dedicated to furthering the cause of vegetarianism and associated philosophies, both within Edmonton, and throughout Alberta. They are a member group of the Alberta Environmental Network Society.

The VoA was born in the Spring of 1989, by Glenn McLean, a vegetarian since 1970. He started out vegetarian for ethical reasons and through his decision to go that route started a vegetarian food production business. Eventually, being deemed the spokesperson for vegetarianism within his retail connections he took the step of renting a room at the Edmonton Public Library and, with some advertising, chaired a gathering of 35 interested people-the start of VoA. VoA was incorporated in 1990, and has never looked back. Its early days focused on creating the camaraderie lacking for those of such a lifestyle choice in a province where meat was(and still remains today, although to a decreasing degree) a mainstay of both one’s diet, and as an economic base.

The VoA exists due to the dedication of Glenn, David Parker, Claire Lafreniere and Margaret Marean, longtime and dedicated members of the organization, which currently numbers in excess of 200. The VoA has been extremely active in promoting vegetarianism throughout the Edmonton region, though they are very receptive to being available to people from outside the area. They have been instrumental in organizing the Earth Day festivities every year, helping to make them arguably the best and most consistently run celebrations of this planet we live on.

The VoA makes available through the Earth General Store a library of books and periodicals for its members, so as to better learn of issues as they pertain to their lifestyle choices, be they environmentally sound energy consumption ideas, recycling, healthcare, etc. As well, the VoA was successful in the City of Edmonton issuing a proclamation of October 1st, 2000, as being Vegetarian Awareness Day.

There are meetings held, two or three times a year, and there are also monthly potluck dinners, with guest speakers invited to speak on issues related to vegetarianism. Although VoA is both non-political and non-religious, there exists within the membership a large contingent of activists, and activism; the organization is an avenue for members to engage in social issues, as a forum from where topics can be accessed as they pertain to vegetarianism, environmentalism, health issues and animal advocacy.

VOA Vegan Recipe Books and T-Shirts are available as well, the recipe books going for $15 and the shirts$20 for members and $25 for non-members. They come in a variety of sizes for both mena and women, and are sold a VOA potlucks, Earth’s General Store as well as at Organic Roots.

Memberships in the VoA are as such: $15/year for students, $25/year for individuals, and $30/year for families. As well there is the option of buying a lifetime membership, at $150 for individuals and $175 for families. For this one receives access to library resources, discounts on group activities along with a subscription to “The Leading Veg”, their newsletter, which comes out 3-4 times a year. For further information please contact them through their website or by phone.