note that, in order to be as inclusive and diverse as possible, VegFest can only admit one representative of a direct sales brand, on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Michiana VegFest is a vegan event. “Vegan” means free from animal ingredients and exploitation. All food products sold or offered must be 100% plant-based and therefore cannot contain the flesh of animals, including that of poultry and fish, nor their body parts and/or secretions such as eggs, dairy, gelatin, or honey.
Non-food items, such as clothing and beauty products, cannot have been tested on animals and must not contain animal derivatives such as leather, fur, wool, silk, lanolin, gelatin, beeswax, etc.
Books, literature and product displays must not promote animal-derived foods, products or services, including the use of animals for entertainment such as in circuses, rodeos, and zoos.
Michiana VegFest reserves the right to exclude any items it deems to be out of touch with its vegan policy. Anyone displaying items determined as such will be asked by a staff member to remove those items.
Exhibit tables must be staffed and open for the entire VegFest event, from 11 am to 5 pm. Exhibitors are responsible for setting up and taking down their exhibits.
Exhibitors can set up on Sunday, April 14, 8-10 am (no later!).
Click here for driving directions to the Gillespie Center (Google maps). Exhibitors can pull up to the parking lot. Several flatbed carts will be available at the Center.
At 5 pm exhibitors should start taking down their exhibits. By 6 pm, all materials should be removed from the venue.
All food vendors must submit an application for a temporary food permit to the St. Joseph County Health Department at least 7 days before VegFest. Click here to access the Application for a Temporary Food Permit (pdf). If you are bringing a food truck, click here to access the Application for a Temporary Food Permit (pdf). After vendors have applied, the Health Department will bring the temporary food permits to Century Center on Sunday, April 14, 2024, when they come to inspect the food.
The St. Joseph County Health Department provides temporary food vendor guidelines to ensure that vendors have all of the necessary equipment and supplies in order to properly operate at VegFest. Food vendors who participate in a temporary event receive inspections during the event. Food vendors are required “to be at their location until the Health Department has conducted an inspection.” According to St. Joseph County Health Services, “an establishment serving potentially hazardous food must have a certified food handler. Certain pre-packaged/low-risk foods may be exempt.” Click here for the certification rule. Each food vendor is expected to have handwashing capability at their own table, with an urn (flip top), a bucket and soap/paper towels. Food vendors are welcome to call the Health Services to talk with them directly about specific requirements: (574) 235-9721. Click here to access the Temporary Food Establishment Guidelines (pdf).
Food vendors should bring food ready to serve. If they wish to cook food at the event, they are allowed to use a Sterno type stove or a personal electric burner. No open flames are allowed. We strongly encourage food vendors to offer free vegan product samples in addition to foods for sale. Food vendors should read the Saint Joseph County Guidelines. “Foods being offered for sale or for free shall be prepared on site or in a permitted establishment and transported in food storage containers.” All exhibitors offering food samples or selling food products must list the complete ingredients of these items and any allergens present. All utensils, plates and other containers for food and samples should be recyclable. Our goal is zero waste.
Exhibitors assume the full duty of securing their property at all times. While VegFest volunteers will provide limited security of the area, they will not be assigned to the care of individual tables. By agreeing to become an exhibitor at Michiana VegFest, each exhibitor also agrees to take sole responsibility of their property, acknowledging that Michiana VegFest will not be responsible for lost, stolen or damaged property.
Michiana VegFest is committed to providing a safe and welcoming experience for all participants-attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, and volunteers-regardless of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic origin, religious or non-religious beliefs, disability, physical appearance, or dietary practice. This code of conduct applies both to the event and to activities relating to the event, such as co-organizer and volunteer meetings, exhibitor interactions, and promotional gatherings. We expect all participants to treat each other with respect. We will not tolerate any form of harassment, such as humiliating comments, ostentatious display of sexual images, intimidation, stalking, harassing photography or recording, disruption of talks or other events, unwelcome attention, and inappropriate physical contact. Participants who are asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. In the presence of harassment, the event organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including expulsion from the event. Anyone being harassed, or who notices that someone else is being harassed, or having any other concerns, should contact event staff immediately–event staff can be recognized by their special Tshirts and tags.
VegFest will provide tablecloths and pipe and drape. All exhibitors must clearly identify their exhibit with signs and/or banners. Vendors who have requested an outlet next to their table(s) should bring an extension cord in case of need. Non-profit exhibitors are welcome to request donations. All exhibitors are welcome to sell products and request contact information from attendees. If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page or send us an email.