Our 2023 Vegan Pop-Up Markets

 For about two years, I had been attending craft shows as a vegan vendor.  While the intent was to help bring vegan products to the mainstream and educate the public about a vegan lifestyle, I found that these venues made it hard to really connect with most of my customers.  While I got a lot of positive feedback, foot traffic was often low and many people who came to walk around came for specific reasons that did not include learning about a vegan lifestyle.  My table was always crowded with my products and my message often got lost.  For example, I would sell delicious vegan baked goods as well as vegan dog biscuits and people would think all the baked goods were for dogs, even though most of my baked goods have chocolate in them!  I knew there must be a better way to both meet the needs of the vegan community as well as introduce this healthy and humane lifestyle to the mainstream.  Thus, with the help and support of my friends and fellow certified VLCEs Carlo and Carmella Giardina of V Marks the Shop (https://vmarkstheshop.com/), Buffalo Vegan Pop-Up Markets was launched in June 1018!  The purpose of the Market is to bring vegan and vegan-friendly businesses together to promote and sell their products and services and to offer a one-stop vegan shopping destination for the vegan community.  The Markets are held quarterly and the sites are rotated.  We have been to Amherst, Hamburg, Depew, Williamsville, Lancaster, and North Tonawanda.  Check back to see where we go next!  Due to the pandemic, we are holding monthly pop-up markets at The Vegan Center.  We plan on resuming our quarterly Markets at rotating sites once restrictions are eased.