Vegan Restaurant Week takes root in Fort Myers, Cape Coral
The area’s first Vegan Restaurant Week kicks off Friday, featuring six restaurants in Cape Coral and Fort Myers.
“The mission of this event is to support our local, plant-based restaurants and to spread awareness of the benefits of a plant-based diet through a fun, innovative and community-based experience,” said Dr. Sal Lacagnina, president of Lifestyle Solutions Healthy Planet, a new non-profit focused on promoting healthy living for body and earth.
“A diet rich in whole, plant-based foods has many evidence-based health benefits.”
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Lifestyle Solutions has teamed with Millennial Brewing Co. for the 14-day event which runs through Feb. 26. Participating Vegan Restaurant Week restaurants include:
Café YOU, Cape Coral
Life — The Vegan Drive Thru, Cape Coral
Loving Hut, Cape Coral
Chef Brooke’s Natural Cafe, Fort Myers
Green Cup Cafe, Fort Myers
Living Vine Organic Cafe, Fort Myers
Diners who visit these restaurants during Vegan Restaurant Week can sign up to win cash, gift cards, prizes and other giveaways.
Veganism, a diet and lifestyle characterized by the omission of animal-based foods and goods, has surged in recent years. This growth has been fueled by health-conscious consumers, as well as environmentalists concerned with the impact the meat and dairy industries have on the planet.
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According to a 2020 study, the number of Americans who ate a plant-based diet grew from 290,000 in 2004 to 9.7 million in 2019. Vegan and plant-based eating has been shown through numerous studies to support the immune system, reduce inflammation, maintain healthy weights and reduce a person’s risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke and even mental illness.
Vegan Restaurant Week’s organizers say the event isn’t restricted to plant-based eaters. They see it as an opportunity for omnivores to get a taste of something different.
“When eating out, it’s easy to stick to the same safe places,” Lifestyle Solution’s website reads, “this week allows you to explore different options.”
Vegan Restaurant Week’s customers are asked to wear a mask in all participating restaurants and to check with each venue for hours of operation, addresses, phone numbers and specials. For more on Vegan Restaurant Week, visit lifestylesolutionshealthyplanet.org/events.
