The Bizerkeley Food Festival, considered the largest vegan festival of its kind in Northern California, will be held for the fourth time on September 1 at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park in Berkeley.
The festival will feature more than 100 vendors, including popular Bay Area food and drink pop-ups, a vegan fashion show and a “Hot Ones” wing eating contest. There will also be a beer garden, a kids’ area with games, a petting area with animals for adoption and – for fans of deep cuts – a performance by StunnaMan02, who will perform his single “Eat a Salad.”
Discounted tickets are available for $10 in advance and $14 at the door.
The food festival takes its name from The Bizerkeley Vegan, aka entrepreneur Erika Hazel, who launched the event in 2021. This year, the festival will feature a silent auction with proceeds benefiting the Herd and Flock Animal Sanctuary in Vacaville, which rescues neglected farm animals and finds them new homes.
The list of vendors is too long to include here. Note that many will be giving out free samples, including food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. But here is a partial list of exhibitors and where they are from in the Bay:
All Pau Berkeley
– a food pop-up specializing in the pan-Asian flavors of Hawaii
Dr Hops Hard Kombucha, Oakland
– alcoholic beverages made from organic ingredients with flavors such as Kombucha Rose, Guava Glam and Pineapple Chili
Mad Vegan Co., Oakland
– Latino-owned bakery with cookies, conchas (Mexican sweetbreads) and Salvadoran pound cake
Pineapple WHIPS, Oakland
– Hawaiian-style frozen pineapple desserts with fresh fruit toppings
The Vegan Hood Chefs, San Francisco
– healthy interpretations of soul food and American classics
Birdsong Tea, Danville
– Organic and fair trade teas from China, India and beyond
Vegan Chula, Hayward
– a pop-up with Mexican-inspired tapas and small snacks
Green Tree Bakery, Antioch
– a small and allergen-friendly bakery with cookies, cakes and more
Masala Gossip, San Ramon
– Curry sauces and marinades as well as Indian seasonings
Chef J. Redd, Sacramento
– a chef known for his plant-based shrimp po’boys and fried sushi rolls
Fruitopia Fruit Truck, Bay Area
– Organic fresh fruit bowls with over 10 types of fruit per bowl
Sweet Diane’s, Bay Area
– Organic muesli mixes in the flavours Orange Cranberry, Blueberry Almond and Protein Crunch
Salad Slvt, Bay Area
– Paninis, salads and vegan cheese platters
Raydiant Vybes, Bay Area
– Cookies, brownies, key lime pie and other desserts
Details: The festival will take place on September 1 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 2151 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley. Tickets are $10-$14 and available on Eventbrite. For more information, visit instagram.com/bizerkeleyfoodfest.
