When you see a car with an advertisement for artisan almond milk, you know you’re getting close to a Veggie Fest! I went to the World Veg Festival put on by the San Francisco Veg Society last weekend.

I have been to a few similar festivals in the past, and this one was certainly smaller, but they had very high quality companies (with great samples)!

I was insanely excited to see Lakanto had a booth. I have an ongoing love affair with their sugar free, naturally sweetened line of chocolates and I was thrilled to see all their new products.

I so regret not buying the matcha latte mix! It was insanely good. They blended it with unsweetened almond milk and it was divine. I have a love-hate relationship with matcha; sometimes the flavor comes across too strong or bitter, but this was so mellow, well-balanced, and sweet.

I already knew I loved their chocolate, but I still had to sample every flavor just to make sure 😉 I love the crunch in the cocoa nib chocolate!

The drinking chocolate was new to me, and I loved it as well. It had such a rich, decadent mouth-feel with a great lasting flavor.

Aside from the taste, all of these products are so nutritious and are great alternatives for less healthy versions of an overpriced Starbucks latte, Hershey’s chocolate, or artificial hot cocoa mixes.

I have been dying to try Ripple (a pea-based milk), but I was hesitant to buy a whole bottle in case it was awful!

I finally had my chance to try it, and it was delicious. I tried the unsweetened vanilla and was impressed. It has a slightly nutty mild flavor and is a great alternative if you want to try a higher protein plant-based milk.

I have heard about Imperfect Produce, but was thrilled to see them at the festival. This company is SO cool. So you know how most produce in the grocery store looks pretty and perfect? Well nature is not perfect so all of that ugly produce usually gets grown away…

This is so wasteful, especially when we think about the hunger and food deserts that plague our country, and the world at large. Imperfect Produce works with farmers to salvage the ugly fruits and veggies and deliver them to your doorstep, like a CSA.

I signed up immediately. It is reasonably priced, supports a wonderful mission, accepts SNAP benefits, and saves the ugly produce of the world! If you live in the Bay Area, Seattle, or Portland, sign up!!! They are expanding quickly, so definitely look out for when they come to your city.

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What do you think of eating ugly produce? Have you ever been to a Veg Fest?