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Thursday, March 28, 2024

To show students, vegan and non-vegan alike, meatless options, the UF Student Animal Alliance held a free Thanksgiving feast — with no seconds.

Sejal Shah, a co-president of the UF Student Animal Alliance, said the event’s food ran out in about 20 minutes and fed about 70 people. The organization hosted the feast on the Plaza of the Americas on Thursday.

She said for students on a vegan diet, Thanksgiving can be especially challenging.

“A lot of family members will not necessarily agree with your view,” the 21-year-old said. “You can respect them. You don’t have to force your views down on them, but you can also show them another alternative, another option that you have for Thanksgiving.”

Shah said the event cost about $100 and was sponsored by peta2 and VegFund. The Student Animal Alliance gave out vegan holiday cookbooks along with plates of vegan Tofurky, which is made out of soy meat, breading, vegetable starches and spices. They also handed out mashed potatoes, gravy and brownies.

“You can have an amazing holiday meal that doesn’t have to harm any animals or doesn’t have to harm the earth at all,” the UF English and biology senior said.

Shah said she became a vegan about two years ago when she learned more about animal cruelty.

“We know the holiday season is about compassion and love and family, so why can’t we extend that to our nonhuman animal friends?”

Kayla Buch was one of the few students able to grab a plate of vegan options before all the food was gone. She said she is excited to show her mom some of the vegan recipes she learned about.

“I think it’s really cool that they made this event kind of holiday inspired to kind of show you that you can be vegan,” the UF chemical engineering sophomore said.

Buch, 19, said she hopes to start eating vegan next year when she lives in her own apartment.

“I live in a dorm, and I know that might be a pretty selfish answer, but it is kind of hard to prepare food, and I know being vegan in a healthy way is about preparing a lot of fruits and vegetables,” Buch said.

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