Second-Annual Plant-Based Festival at Gulfstream Will Explore Healthy Lifestyle Choices

This Sunday, Gulfstream Park Village will present the second-annual Plant-Based Festival, a daylong event showing attendees how to incorporate healthy eating and a plant-based diet into their lives.

The festival will run from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Gulfstream Park Village shopping area, where more than 60 vendors will offer the latest in food, drinks, and plant-based goods. Guests will have the opportunity to learn more about vegan values, sample products, and experience meat-free dietary choices.

Alex Schreer, director of experiential marketing for Madison Marquette, who represents Gulfstream Park Village, says the idea for the event came from Hallandale Beach Commissioner Anabelle Lima-Taub, who's an advocate of plant-based eating. Last year's inaugural festival attracted more than 2,000 attendees.

"We knew that plant-based nutrition was becoming more and more popular, and thought it was a great idea to make it a free event to bring the community together so they could learn more about it,” Schreer says. "This year, we will have 30 percent more vendors and new products ranging from plant-based pizza to dog biscuits. There will also be food trucks and new restaurants participating.”

At this year's festival, vendors and wellness companies will offer gluten-free and plant-based foods, beverages, and desserts, as well as lotions and creams, organically made products and clothing, and recycled materials. Attendees should also expect yoga and fitness communities offering education; a stage for presenters and live music; giveaways from merchants; and kids' contests.

Plus, Commissioner Lima-Taub will discuss the positive impact of a whole-foods diet on human health and the planet. Also scheduled to speak are Michelle Larea, Aventura Hospital’s nutrition and diabetes educator; and Flaviah Campos, an integrated health coach certified in plant-based nutrition, who will give a presentation on healing through a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles, cups, and cutlery to use during the event. Inspired by Hallandale Beach’s ban on plastic straws, Gulfstream Park Village will give away multicolored stainless-steel straws to the first 500 guests.

With the growing popularity of a vegan diet, Schreer is already planning the third annual festival, slated for November 2020. 

Second Annual Plant-Based Festival. 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, February 9, at Gulfstream Park Village, 901 S. Federal Hwy., Hallandale Beach; 954-454-7000; gulfstreampark.com. Admission is free.