Also 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 start setting up on Saturday, October 22nd, noon-4 pm, or on Sunday, October 23rd, 8-10 am (no later!). Click here for driving directions to the Century Center (Google maps). Exhibitors can pull up to the loading dock from inside the Century Center parking lot. Click here for a map of the building (pdf)–we will be on the main level, first floor. Several flatbed carts are available at the Century Center. After unloading, exhibitors must not remain parked outside of the facility. They can park in the Century Center parking lot for $5-. Otherwise, every street downtown offers free parking on Sunday. Click here for a downtown parking map. 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, October 23, 2022, 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. Century Center will provide handwashing facilities for the public. According to the Saint Joseph Health Services guidelines, 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.
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.