Hudson Valley Vegans started in order to find vegans and those who are curious about veganism in the Hudson Valley area.
They combine Social Events and Social Action by enjoying delicious, healthful vegan food and encouraging others to do so. The more people who choose vegan food, the fewer farmed animals will be raised. You do not have to be vegan to join, just eat like one when you are with us. We get together to learn and to inform others.
Our History:
In 1996, Rae Schlecht of Kingston NY, who was an avid long-distance bicycle rider, learned about carbohydrate loading as the best way to prepare for a race. Why not eat that way all the time?, she wondered. Soon she founded the Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society which grew rapidly and drew members form many parts of our area.
wording in green with the paragraph below. Rae planned events and tabled at numerous health fairs and community days each year and worked hard for us to get our tax exempt status. She recruited a group of hard working volunteers which enable us to grow. We remember Rae with love and gratitude for all she did for us and for the vegan movement. Roberta Schiff of Rhinebeck NY took over in 2002 and we are still expanding and offer a variety of events each year. We now call ourselves Hudson Valley Vegans.