What Is the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale?

On April 24 through May 2 (two weekends and the weekdays in between), groups from across the world will hold vegan bake sales. Each participating group gets to choose its venue, what to sell, and how it uses the proceeds. We invite you to participate! You can hold the bake sale on any day during the period—or on more than one day if you like. Just about anyone can join in.

In 2009, the first year of the event, a hundred groups participated and raised over $25,000 for a variety of causes. Some of the bake sales were remarkable; all were memorable (here are some highlights). The Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale was named the 2009 "Veg Event of the Year" by VegNews Magazine. Nearly every 2009 participant has vowed, with enthusiasm, to return in 2010.

WHY participate?

  1. It's a fun way to introduce people to the joy and tastiness of vegan foods.
  2. Raise money for your cause.
  3. Be part of an event that will publicize the many benefits of an animal-free diet.

HOW do you participate?

  • Plan to hold a vegan bake sale sometime between April 24 and May 2.
  • Let us (and the world) know by using our handy signup form (preferred) or emailing us at info@veganbakesale.org.
  • Hold the bake sale.
  • If inclined, please let us know how you did. Send a photo, or a link, whatever you'd like—celebrate and inspire.
It's that simple.

If you want to participate but cannot do so during the "official" time period, get in touch with us—we've got you covered. We strive to be as inclusive as possible.

There are only two rules:

  1. Goods sold must be vegan. For baking, most importantly this means no dairy or eggs.
  2. Don't sell or distribute anything during the bake sale (books, brochures, etc.) that contributes to the intentional harming of animals.

You don't have to be a vegan group or even an animal group to participate. We're inviting school clubs, Girl Scout troops, church/temple/mosque organizations, even bunches of friends who want to join.

It's an easy and enjoyable way to raise funds, and to raise awareness about food that is delicious and satisfying but does not involve exploiting or mass-killing animals. (Note that animals are slaughtered in huge numbers, and at all ages starting at newborn, in the dairy and egg industries). In addition, many people are allergic to dairy or eggs, and holding a vegan bake sale shows that you can make super-tasty versions of cakes, pies, cookies, and other desserts without these ingredients.

The Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale is sponsored by Compassion for Animals (CfA), a Washington, DC-area grassroots group that “works to reduce human-caused harm to animals, primarily through educating people on animal-friendly lifestyles and cultivating empathy and respect for the nonhumans with whom we share the earth.” Our website (perpetually under construction) is www.compassion4animals.org.

Building on the connections we made in 2009, we expect to have increased "mainstream media" coverage of the event in 2010, in addition to fantastic (and greatly appreciated) promotion by cookbook authors, vegan chefs, food bloggers, podcasters, animal activists, humane groups, and others across the world.

The web site, though never finished, is nonetheless filled with useful information to help you get your vegan bake sale going. For instance, we have links to over a thousand vegan baked good recipes and possibly the web's most complete collection of bake sale tips. Here are few that are handy to know right off the bat...

Tips for Getting Started

  • You need to secure your venue. Possible locations include community centers, public squares, shopping centers, strip malls, pet supply stores, and theaters or sports arenas before or during an event. School groups and religious groups may want to hold the event in their respective schools and places of worship. Farmers markets, craft fairs, and festivals are other possible places for a vegan bake sale, although you often have to register early. Also, any vegan-oriented store will probably be receptive (if not wildly enthusiastic) about a vegan bake sale at or near their business.
  • You need to get all the necessary permissions for holding a bake sale at your desired location. This can range from almost nothing to dealing with multiple levels of officials and obscure regulations. For shopping centers and strip malls, you may need permission from the owner of the property, not just store management. Health ordinances vary from place to place, and sometimes a city code will override a state code. But the good news is that in most instances, bake sales are very easy to set up, in terms of legalities and permits.
    Note: In some European countries, additional restrictions may apply. Watch this space for more information and suggestions to make the process go as smoothly as possible.
  • The bigger and busier the venue, the earlier you may need to reserve it. For best results, start those phone calls soon.

New to Vegan Baking?

It's easier than you think. Just follow any of the million vegan baking recipes on the net or in cookbooks. Or, if you're an advanced baker, you can usually make one or two minor changes (e.g., use nondairy milk instead of cow's milk) and you're good to go. Either way, with vegan baking you can create brownies, cookies, cupcakes, and other delectables—even cheesecakes—that are as tasty as you've ever had—or better! We've got some vegan baking tips, recipes, and links on the site, and eventually we'll have tons, but in the meantime, in any search engine, just enter "vegan recipe" followed by whatever you want to bake, such as "chocolate chip cookies"or "zucchini bread," and you'll get plenty of good recipes and cooking hints.

OK, that's it for now. Please email us at info@veganbakesale.org if you have any questions or suggestions. Check back often for updates and new information. The signup form is here. If inclined, check out our Facebook page or follow us on twitter.

Spread the news and the love. Second Annual Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale—April 24-May 2, 2010!