Capital Region Vegan Network

Albany VegFest 2025
2025-10-05 11:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Albany Capital Center, downstairs, 55 Eagle Street, Albany, NY, United States
Join us at the Albany Capital Center for the Capital Region’s biggest celebration of plant-based living. Vendors, speakers, food, music, and more—all in one vibrant, compassionate space.

Veganuary: New Year, New Me Zoom Series
2026-01-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Veganuary: New Year, New Me — A Four-Part Online Series
Start the new year with clarity, inspiration, and community through our Veganuary: New Year, New Me online series. This free four-session Zoom program is designed to support anyone who wants to explore vegan living, whether you are taking your very first steps, refining your journey, or building a deeper connection between your values and daily choices.
Each class offers practical tools, compassionate education, and meaningful dialogue to help you navigate plant-based eating with confidence and purpose. Participants will receive resources, recipe guides, and follow-up materials after each session, making this a supportive way to kick off 2026.
Over four Wednesdays in January, we will delve into the foundations of veganism, connect the movement to broader systems of change, explore the emotional and political dimensions of advocacy, and equip you with the skills to make sustainable lifestyle shifts. Led by CRVN educators and guest speakers, these interactive virtual sessions will uplift your Veganuary experience while creating an inclusive space for questions, conversation, and community learning. Whether you attend one session or all four, you will gain the knowledge and motivation to move into the new year with intention, confidence, and compassion.
Session Topics
1. Veganism 101: Food, Lifestyle, and Getting Started COMPLETE
Wednesday, January 7th, 6 PM
This session introduces the fundamentals of vegan living, including how to build balanced meals, navigate grocery shopping, avoid common pitfalls, and cultivate long-term habits. Perfect for beginners or anyone seeking a reset for the new year.
2. Animal Advocacy and the Ethics of Compassion
Wednesday, January 14th, 6 PM
Participants explore why veganism matters beyond diet, learning how animal agriculture impacts sentient beings and why advocacy plays a central role in creating a more just and compassionate world. This session highlights effective, non-judgmental approaches to speaking up for animals.
3. The Politics of Veganism: Power, Policy, and Social Change
Wednesday, January 21st, 6 PM
This session connects veganism to larger political and environmental issues, including climate policy, food systems, public health, and social justice. Participants learn why plant-forward advocacy matters in a year where national politics feel especially daunting and why collective action remains essential.
4. Living the Lifestyle: Sustainable Habits, Meal Planning, and Community Support
Wednesday, January 28th, 6 PM
This practical, hands-on workshop helps participants establish lasting routines, providing guidance on meal planning, budgeting, overcoming barriers, and utilizing local plant-based resources. Students end the series with tools to thrive beyond January.
Register for one, a few, or all of the classes! The Zoom link will be emailed to you after registration.

Shop the Co-Op at Honest Weight
2026-01-24 13:00 - 16:00 | Honest Weight Food Co-op, 100 Watervliet Ave, Albany, NY, 12206, United States
Join the Capital Region Vegan Network for a free, engaging event at Honest Weight Food Co-op on January 25th from 1-4 p.m. Explore the store with a guided tour, sample delicious plant-based foods, and learn from Dr. Patricia Thomson, a leading expert in whole-foods, plant-based diets.
What to Expect:
• Store Tours (starting at 1 and 3): Get tips on shopping plant-based while exploring Honest Weight’s offerings.
• Free Samples: Enjoy plant-based snacks and meal ideas in the community room.
• 2-3 pm: Expert Advice: Meet Dr. Patricia Thomson, who will do a cooking class on healthy, inexpensive, plant-based meals and be available for any questions you may have.
During this guided experience, you will learn how to navigate the aisles with a vegan focus, discover budget-friendly bulk items, and get an inside look at the benefits of Co-Op membership. Our team will highlight everyday vegan staples, local brands, and must-try products that make compassionate eating both accessible and exciting.
This event is free and open to everyone; however, registration IS required even if you plan to stop by for a tasting. As the store will be open to other shoppers, we need to track capacity for each tour and guest to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Whether you are vegan, plant-curious, or simply looking to learn more about sustainable and intentional shopping, we welcome you to join us. Come connect with your community, support local vendors, and experience the Co-Op in a whole new way.

Cooking Series with CRVN
2026-02-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Albany, NY
Join CRVN for the first vegan Cooking Together session of 2026: Indian Food
Thursday, February 19th, from 6 to 8 PM
Come roll up your sleeves with us as we make two delicious Northern Indian curries (rajma and buttered tofu) and chai tea from scratch. These will be paired with fluffy basmati rice and soft, fresh vegan naan bread for a perfect meal together. This is more than dinner, it’s a community cooking night. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a total newbie, join us for hands-on Indian cooking, good company, and a cozy shared meal. The address will be sent to registered participants, but the event will take place at Dr. T.’s house in Albany.
Capacity is limited, so please reserve your spot soon.
We also invite attendees to bring canned goods or non-perishable items to support the Free CRVN Food Stand in Niskayuna. Donations are appreciated but not required.
Members – $25
Learn about our membership
Public $32
100% of proceeds support the work of the Capital Region Vegan Network
About the teachers: Dr. Thomson (or Dr. T, as she is known) has been a happily converted plant-based vegan since 2010, when she came across Dr. Joel Furhman’s book, Eat to Live. It was a life-changing experience, and she never looked back. Dr. T earned a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, where she studied the intersection of ecological and human health. She has worked for both public & private industry, enforcing regulations that protect human health and the environment. In her spare time, Dr. T offers health and wellness classes and serves as a nutritional coach in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, Texas. She earned her certificate in plant-based nutrition from the eCornell program, founded by Dr. Colin Campbell, and became a Food For Life Instructor through the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine program.
Claire Henderson (she/her) has been volunteering for the Capital Region Vegan Network since she adopted a vegan lifestyle 17 years ago. She was raised a vegetarian and went vegan after the first VegFest by CRVN (held in Saratoga). There, she watched a video of a “spent” dairy cow going off to slaughter and learned the cruelty of the dairy industry. Since then, she has volunteered in various capacities in the organization to bring programming and vegan education to the Capital region. She is the mother of two children, Avi (9.5 years) and Anika (6.5 years), and raises them vegan with her husband, Punit. Claire works as a research scientist and enjoys research and development projects at work and at home. She works on the CRVN merchandise using screen printing, laser, and paper techniques.

Green Drinks - Earth Day Party!
2026-04-22 18:00 | The Warbler Brewery, 155 Delaware Ave,, Delmar, NY, 12054, United States
CRVN is partnering with Albany Green Drinks for an Earth Day Party at the Warbler Brewery:
Wednesday, April 22nd at 6:00pm
Stick around for Music Bingo at 7pm. Food provided by LA Dawgs.
Green Drinks is a networking event for folks who are passionate about environmental sustainability.
Mixer is free to attend and drinking is not mandatory.

Vegan High Tea
2026-04-26 13:00 - 15:00 | East Greenbush Town Park, 100 Town Park Road, East Greenbush, NY, 12061, United States
Join Us for High Tea on Sunday, April 26th. This year’s event will be held at The Red Barn at 100 Town Park Rd, East Greenbush, NY.
Enjoy an elegant afternoon of exquisite teas, delicious vegan treats, and wonderful company, all while supporting a great cause!
A portion of every ticket supports 3 local animal sanctuaries: Broome Animal Sanctuary, Mini Mountain Farm, and Song of the Robin Animal Sanctuary. Food generously provided by Happy Sprouts Goodies and Rock Hill Bakehouse
Tickets:
$35 for CRVN Members
$42 for the Public
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/4262026-high-tea

CRVN Cooking Series: Thai Flavors of Spring
2026-05-07 18:00 - 20:00
On Thursday, May 7th, 6:00 PM-8:00 PM, we invite you to CRVN’s Thai Flavors of Spring in Albany (location will be provided at registration).
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
What to Expect:
– Hands-on cooking from start to finish
– Step-by-step guidance with plenty of tips and tricks along the way
– Whole-food, plant-based ingredients
-Sit down together and enjoy the full meal you’ve created
On the Menu:
Massaman curry: Rich, warming, and gently spiced — a Thai classic with a whole-food plant-based twist.
Thai spring rolls: Fresh, crisp, and stuffed with vibrant spring vegetables and herbs.
Perfectly steamed rice: The foundation of every great Thai meal.
Coconut mango agar dessert: A stunning, silky plant-based dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Creamy coconut meets sweet tropical mango in a jiggly finish you won’t forget.
Tickets:
$25 for CRVN Members (Enjoy discounts at local businesses + other perks, learn more here!)
$32 for the Public
Due to limited seating, tickets to the CRVN Cooking Class Series sell out quickly. We recommend purchasing your tickets early!

Green Drinks - 518 Day at No Fun
2026-05-18 18:00 - 21:00 | No Fun, 275 River Street, Troy, NY, 12180, United States
Come celebrate the 518 with Green Drinks and CRVN!
It’s bring-your-own vinyl night, so dig up the old record collection if you’d like to share some tunes.
Plant-based food by Burrito Burrito:
https://burritosquared.com/

Green Drinks is a monthly gathering for folks who are passionate about environmental sustainability.
𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥.

Vegan Potluck & Membership Meeting
2026-05-31 14:00 - 16:00 | Rotterdam Community Center, 705 Curry Road, Schenectady, New York, 12306
One of our favorite gatherings of the year is coming up, and we would love to see you there. FREE for Members. $7 per non-member.
Join us on Sunday, May 31st, from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM at the Rotterdam Community Center for an afternoon of delicious plant-based food, great conversation, and a look at everything CRVN has been up to and where we’re headed next.
At 3:00 PM, we’ll share updates on our programming and upcoming events, so come hungry and come curious.
What to bring:
A vegan dish to share (and don’t forget the recipe! Someone will ask for it.)
Serving utensils for your dish
A non-perishable vegan food item, if you wish, to support our community outreach efforts

This is your community. Share a table with us!

CRVN Cooking Together Series - Greek Cuisine
2026-06-18 18:00 - 20:30
Join us for a hands-on cooking experience with whole-food, plant-based ingredients!
Purchase your tickets at the link below:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/crvn-cooking-class-greek-cuisine

GREEN DRINKS at Davies Office
2026-06-23 17:30 - 19:30 | Davies Office, 40 Loudonville Road, Albany, NY, 12204, United States
June’s Green Drinks gathering will be hosted by our friends at Davies Office!
This is an entirely free event with donations going toward Capital District ReUse.
Davies office is a leader in remanufactured and used office furniture helping to promote a circular economy. Come take a tour of their cutting-edge facility!
Green Drinks is a networking event for folks passionate about environmental sustainability. All are welcome and drinking is not required.

CRVN's Annual VegOut Vegan Food Festival
2026-10-11 11:00 - 16:00 | Monument Square, 255 River Street, Troy, 12180
Mark your calendars. Save the date! Yes, it’s happening! CRVN’s VegOut Vegan Food Festival is coming this fall.
Get ready to be part of the fun at VEG OUT, presented by the Capital Region Vegan Network. This event is organized by the dedicated volunteers at CRVN, highlights the array of vegan food options at local restaurants in the Capital Region, and demonstrates just how delicious vegan, cruelty-free, and plant-based food can be! Merchants with plant-based products, artisans, musicians, non-profits, and other exhibitors are also invited to participate.

ATTENTION VENDORS! Early registration to be a vendor is now open! Booth rentals are at a discount for a limited time only (use code EARLYBIRD). For registration and more info: CLICK HERE

At Capital Region Vegan Network, we prioritize making VEG OUT accessible to everyone by keeping admission free. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of community members like you. We are now inviting all vendors and sponsors to join us in this popular and mission-focused event. If you are interested in volunteering at this event: CLICK HERE
