Good morning from Missoula, MT! We are packing up and getting ready for our drive to Spokane, WA. Tessa Trow and Inland Northwest Veg have invited me to town and are making sure everyone knows about Vegan Pressure Cooking! My itinerary:
- Saturday, February 14, 1 pm: Recipe sampling and book signing at Auntie’s Bookstore
- Saturday, February 14, 4 pm: Book signing at Barnes and Noble
- Sunday, February 15, 5 pm: Vegan Pressure Cooking 101 at the INVEG Community Potluck
As you know, I’ve asked my book tour hosts to write for this site so that you can get to know the people who are making amazing vegan things happen in their community. Today I want you to meet Tessa Trow, one of the founders of INVeg.
~JL
Patience is the Companion of Wisdom
By Tessa Trow
February 12, 2015
Local author Jess Walter once explained after a reading of his short story, “A Statistical Abstract of my hometown, Spokane Washington” why he lived here. Yes, he could live in Seattle or any number of larger cities, but if everyone left, who would remain to improve and build upon the infrastructure of smaller cities with great potential? When I moved to Spokane seven years ago from Los Angeles where I was born and raised (promptly learning to say Spo-CAN and not Spo-CANE), I was not vegan. I was not even vegetarian. But I saw a small city (population of approximately 300,000 people) with great potential and an innate feeling that somehow, someday, I’d realize my own potential to build upon what I already saw around me. Spokane – Washington State’s second largest city – is vibrant with a roaring river rushing right through a bustling downtown complete with a skywalk system and a 100 acre park. We have unique historical districts and architecture, lush mountains, dozens of lakes, rivers, parks, and trails, a plethora of local wineries and breweries, a thriving art and music scene, and so much more. What market could I possibly fill to make a difference?
As once said by Saint Augustine, “patience is the companion of wisdom.” The answer came five years later on a night when I made an accidentally vegan meal. Vegetarian for two years at this point, I had made a spaghetti squash dish without any animal products, and, having seen the mysterious label on the recipe exclaimed to my boyfriend proudly as I set the dish down “and guess what? It’s vegan! It’s vegan!” But what did that mean? Little did I know that during the week to follow voracious research would ensue until, midway through a Colleen Patrick-Goudreau podcast, I would look up from my illegible scribbles and tears and turn to Josh to say, “That’s it. I’m vegan. Are you with me?” There was no turning back. I was hooked.
I quickly learned that besides a Spokane Vegans group on Facebook, there was absolutely no vegan support system in place. So with the help of my partner Josh (yes, he went vegan with me), we created one. Within just two months, we created INVeg – the Inland Northwest Vegans. Being close to animal agriculture hotspots like Idaho and Montana, our idea was to create a support system not only for vegans and vegan-curious in Spokane, but to be inclusive of the surrounding regions. Since then, we have organized and hosted Spokane’s 1st annual Vegfest in June 2014. This free event featured speakers like Miyoko Schinner and Ginny Messina, over 40 vendors, belly dancing performances, yoga, and massage. We were astounded by its success. While we hoped for 500 attendees, we received over 1,100 people from across the region – omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans. And people weren’t there for just the food – the vegan literature flew off the tables and vendors kindly turned to each other to borrow whatever literature was left. This told me that we found a niche in Spokane.
In the past year and a half, we have been interviewed for front page stories in major papers, taught Vegan 101 classes at local library branches, built a membership program supporting local vegan-friendly businesses while encouraging people to order vegan dishes, hosted a potluck and presentation/cooking demo each month, and tabled at dozens of events, with much more to come. We are currently planning Spokane’s 2nd annual Vegfest happening on August 8, 2015 and we are doubling in size with a full farmer’s market, outdoor concert, 100 vendors, and more. We have big plans. And we aren’t stopping.
As I sit here now, writing a blog post for JL Fields with a baby pig rooting my side, I’m amazed at how much my work has given to me while simultaneously helping my community and the animals. I may not make any money from this work and the hours in addition to my day job are long, but without it, I’m certain I would feel that unable-to-pin-down feeling of emptiness. And I can assure you, I am richer than ever. Rich with compassion, fulfillment, new relationships and connections, knowledge, and self-awareness. I am proud to say that I have worked to improve the beautiful city I call my home, saving lives, and realizing my potential along the way.
Spokane River and Gondolas underneath Monroe Bridge
From left to right: animal activist Maria Vandervert, animal activist Connor Pirtle, INVeg founder Tessa Trow, and INVeg founder Josh Meckel. Taken at River’s Wish Animal Sanctuary in November 2014.
Many thanks to Tessa for this inspiring piece. I know that anyone of us can make a difference in our community and I hope you are equally inspired. Be sure to check out INVeg.org and follow them on Facebook!
