Ghent, veggie capital of Europe since one year
20/04/2010
In May 2009 Ghent was the first city in the world to introduce an official weekly vegetarian day. On Thursday 6 May the city will be organizing an event to celebrate its veggie status.
A year ago the city launched ‘Donderdag Veggiedag’ (Thursday Veggie Day), encouraging its residents to forego meat or fish on Thursdays. The city set the example by offering a vegetarian meal to city workers and in city schools on that day. Cities such as Sao Paulo, Brazil and Bremen, Germany soon followed suit.
Ghent has since been working hard to improve its vegetarian offerings. A useful overview of all vegetarian options can be found on the Ghent veggie map. The existing map was translated into English but the map now also lists restaurants and shops as well as veggie-friendly accommodations. Hotels and B&Bs where guests will be served a vegetarian meal starting at breakfast have now also been included on the map.
Happening on 6 May
In order to highlight this and to celebrate the first anniversary of ‘Ghent veggie capital’ an event will be organized on Thursday 6 May 2010 in Groentenmarkt in Ghent. The event starts at 11 a.m. with a press conference, presenting the ‘Thursday Veggie Day cookbook’ and the ‘Start to Veggie cookbook’ in the presence of Flemish TV personality, Evy Gruyaert.
From 11.30 a.m. everybody is welcome. Ghent’s Alderman for the Environment, Tom Balthazar will give an overview of the campaign and will present an award for the best veggie sandwich in the city. He will also introduce the English veggie map and a new educational kit for primary schools. There will also be live music and visitors can taste vegetarian products and dishes. The event will last until 2 p.m.
Media relations
EVA (Ethisch Vegetarisch Alternatief)
Tobias Leenaert
T. +32 494 64 69 38
e-mail: tobias@vegetarisme.be.
Interviews are possible.
Click here for 'A Guide to Veggie Ghent' (pdf 7.83 Mb)
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