Veg network offers annual memberships and free resources
When Lin Silvan and Robert Jacobucci, founders of Eugene Veg Education Network (EVEN), moved to Eugene nearly nine years ago, they were startled by the lack of an active veg (vegan and vegetarian) group in Eugene, what they describe as a liberal oasis.
“We went to Earth Day 2003 and saw the exhibits and couldn’t believe there wasn’t one that connected food choices to the health of the plant,” said Silvan. “After a couple of years we decided we wanted to get the information out to people and that we were going to have to do it ourselves.”
EVEN, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, started out very small, with just Silvan and Jacobucci tabling at the Earth Day celebration at University of Oregon and downtown Eugene. But EVEN quickly grew into Eugene’s largest veg education resource.
“Before we knew it, we were really no longer retired, and were highly invested in educating people about the benefits of a plant-based diet,” said Silvan.
EVEN now manages a website with ample resources to help people educate themselves about their current dietary choices, and the benefits of living a plant-based life. The website offers information, interviews, benefits, and statistics about the meat and dairy industry and veganism. EVEN holds events, potlucks and talks, encouraging people to evaluate what they are eating, consuming, and how they are treating their bodies and the earth.
“We consider ourselves a vegan resource and try to give people whatever they want, whether it’s a vegan recipe or information on why veganism is a good choice for the earth and for our bodies,” said Silvan. “We do this through our website, leaflets, tabling, handing out veg literature and vegetarian starter kits, and the information on our E-Bulletins. Recently we added a brand new vegan news blog with items of interest like animal cruelty, health issues, or how to cook a healthful vegan meal.”
EVEN is supported by local sponsors such as Capella Market, Cafe Yumm!, Sundance Natural Foods, and Red Barn Natural Grocery.
“We support EVEN because they represent a sizable section of our shoppers and we love vegetarian foods,” said Heather Breen, marketing manager at Capella Market. “I would say that about 75 percent of our goods are vegetarian.”
The goal of EVEN is to first educate about where food comes from, the makers and regulators of food, and the impact of food choices on health, the environment, and all living creatures. The next step for EVEN is to teach people how to transition into a plant-based diet and a more compassionate lifestyle. “We try to emphasis things like non-violence, compassion and sustainability,” said Silvan.
Both Silvan and Jacobucci have dedicated their lives, time, money and 
resources into educating people about their life choices. Although EVEN’s mission revolves around food choices, both Silvan and Jacobucci believe that it extends further than just what people are eating.
“Every second of every day we make a choice, and our food choices are part of that as well,” said Silvan.
Silvan and Jacobucci contemplated starting other kinds of outreach programs, but decided that they could make the biggest impact through a veg outreach and education network.
“All life is interconnected,” said Silvan, “this is what we’re certain of. I don’t understand how we can continue to pour pesticides, clear cut forests, and ignore animal cruelty and not expect it to profoundly affect us.”
EVEN offers one-year memberships for $25. To receive EVEN’s free e-newsletter, send an email to eugvegedunet@comcast.net with the word “subscribe” in the subject line.
EVEN is located at:
Eugene Veg Education Network (EVEN)
1574 Coburg Rd., #120
Eugene, OR 97401
MCKENZIE INGRAM IS UNIVERSITY OF OREGON SENIOR DOUBLE MAJORING IN JOURNALISM AND GERMAN. SHE IS ALSO A REPORTER FOR MYEUGENE AND THE OREGON DAILY EMERALD.
Photo Credit: EVEN
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