Written and photographed by Jenna Dousi
When representatives from Mercy for Animals came into town to meet with Rachel Cooper and her group, Savannah Veggies and Vegans, Cooper knew exactly where to take them out for dinner.
She’s familiar with what the restaurants of Savannah have to offer. She has to be, considering she organizes a meet-up dinner for the group several times a month.
“I offered The Sentient Bean and Kayak Cafe to our guests from Mercy for Animals because both have vegan options, as well as raw,” Cooper said. “They chose the Bean.”
Led by Cooper with the help from several co-organizers, or “vegketeers,” Savannah Veggies and Vegans serves as both an animal advocacy group and a support group for anyone interested in vegetarianism.
It’s no surprise that Mercy for Animals, a national organization with similar goals on a much larger scale, would invite the Veggies and Vegans to team up with them in their protest against McDonald’s.
The protest was part of a tour put on by Mercy for Animals in response to the release of footage leaked from Tyson Foods, a McDonald’s supplier, exposing the violent abuse of birds by factory farmers.
On Thursday, Nov. 5, members of Savannah Veggies and Vegans joined Mercy for Animals in front of the fast-food restaurant to share the message that “McDonald’s tortures animals.”
But protests aren’t the main focus of Savannah Veggies and Vegans. They leave much of that to their sister group, Savannah Animal Advocacy. Instead, Cooper and her vegketeers prefer to concentrate on offering support and education to anyone who is “veg-curious.”
“The main goal is to make people think about their food,” said Ruth Arnone, a group member and co-organizer. “And more importantly, to give them solutions.”
To reach that goal, the group does a lot more than just hold regular dinner meetings. Their other events include potlucks, food giveaways, eating and cooking workshops and vegan outreach, such as tabling and leafleting at fairs like the Savannah Food Day Festival.
“I think we passed out about 1,200 to 1,400 samples and 900 brochures at this year’s Food Day. It was excellent,” said Cooper. “We’ve had a lot of new members join since then.”
And now the group is beginning its biggest project yet: they’re currently working on becoming a PlantPure Nation Pod for the city of Savannah. PlantPure Nation started out as a documentary film on three mens’ efforts to promote the message of plant-based nutrition. It has since become a movement of its own.
As a PlantPure Nation Pod, Savannah Veggies and Vegans will host film screenings, seminars, cooking classes, and even more events to promote a PlantPure Nation. They’ll also have access to the PlantPure Jumpstart Program, a free 10-day program that allows participants to experience the benefits of plant-based eating.
No matter what the future holds for the group, it will always be open to everyone, omnivores and herbivores alike. According to Cooper, all are welcome.
“If you eat food, we’re for you,” she said.
To learn more or to get involved yourself, check out the Savannah Veggies and Vegans Meetup page or join their Facebook group, where you’ll receive updates on all upcoming events, including their next potluck, the ThanksLiving Dinner.
The potluck — scheduled for Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. — is to be held in the social hall of Unity Church. For a $3 donation and a contribution of your own vegan dish, you can try different plant-based foods and enjoy the company of like-minded people.
Even though the group is eager for anyone to join, they are particularly hoping to bring in more SCAD students.
“I only wish that I had joined sooner,” said Sarah Weldon, group member and vegketeer. “Make the decision for yourself, but it’s all about learning.”
