Vegan meet-and-eat in Ballan

THERE will be a delicious opportunity to enjoy vegan food and meet like-minded people in Ballan later this month.

A vegan social group will be held at Ballan Neighbourhood House on Saturday 1 August from 2pm.

Organiser Patrick Bonello said the friendship group is not just for vegans but for anyone interested in plant-based eating.

“From my perspective, it just means that you’ve got a support network when it comes to trying to find new recipes, or networking with people, or just feeling like you’ve got a sense of community and you can be connected to people,” he said.

Bonello said people form social groups for different reasons.

“If you’re learning a language in isolation, so say you decide you want to learn French, how much better is it if you can connect with other people who want to share that with you, as well? It’s like anything, we form tribes, don’t we?”

By forming a group, Bonello expects ideas and opinions will be shared, from restaurant recommendations to shopping suggestions.

“It might be tips and tricks, places to go, what are you cooking at the moment, sharing meals, that sort of stuff,” he said.

Bonello said the group was open to everyone.

“You don’t have to be vegan,” he said.

“You might want to think about how to bring up kids with less meat or try to think of ways – healthy ways – to eat.

“I think for anybody who is considering a plant-based lifestyle, even for the sake of health, it could be a good group to get together with.”

Bookings for the group can be made, and more information can be found, at ballanneighbourhoodhouse.com.au