ABOUT US
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Vegetarians of Central Florida, Inc. (VegCF) is a nonprofit corporation founded in fall 2003. The goal of VegCF is to encourage and support vegetarians and vegans in Central Florida.
We are vegetarians for human health, human rights, animal rights, environmental, simple living, spiritual, religious, and cultural reasons. We welcome non-vegetarians, who we like to consider potential vegetarians. We hold regular events, such as restaurant visits, potlucks, picnics, outdoor activities, speakers, and humane education. We also organize Central Florida Veg Fest in October and Central Florida Earth Day in April. We hope that you will get to know us and join VegCF! Membership is free! Members receive discounts and other benefits, including many free events. At some events we may charge a fee or ask for a donation simply to cover a portion of the costs (VegCF never profits and usually pays money at events that seek a fee or donation). All of the money collected at the monthly potluck is given to the First Unitarian Church in lieu of a rental fee for the event. VegCF does not otherwise solicit or accept personal donations. If you have money to give, please support the local animal rescue groups that are listed on the Animal Activists of Central Florida website. If you are a veg-friendly business, please contact us if you wish to be included on the website or can offer discounts to our members. We would also like to seek out ways of working together with you on events or outreach. If you are a local veg-friendly restaurant who would like to promote yourself, please check out the Advertising Programs page Please go to the Home page to join VegCF and receive information about group events and news. Please tell your friends, vegetarian and non-vegetarian alike, about VegCF. If you have any questions or comments about VegCF, please e-mail us at [email protected] or call us at (321) 331-1859. Every month we go to a different restaurant on a Saturday. Our current Veggie Meetup schedule is: January: The Earthy Kitchen February: DaJen Eats March: Leguminati April: Press'd Juice Bar & Kitchen May: Bombay Cafe June: TBA July: Loving Hut August: Khasiyat September: Infusion Tea October: Boca Fresca November: Humbl December: Skyebird Juice Bar & Experimental Kitchen |
Meet the VegCF Board of Directors
Malila N. Robinson, Executive Director
Malila is a mom, and an intersectional, abolitionist vegan activist and researcher with a professional and academic career focused on advancing equity for underserved populations. Her work has appeared in several academic journals and books. She received a JD, and a PhD in Educational Policy from Rutgers University, an EdS in Exceptional Education from The University of Florida, and an EdS in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Central Florida. Malila enjoys all things Star Wars, reading, rescuing and rehabbing animals, glitter, and dismantling systemic oppression.
Malila is a mom, and an intersectional, abolitionist vegan activist and researcher with a professional and academic career focused on advancing equity for underserved populations. Her work has appeared in several academic journals and books. She received a JD, and a PhD in Educational Policy from Rutgers University, an EdS in Exceptional Education from The University of Florida, and an EdS in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Central Florida. Malila enjoys all things Star Wars, reading, rescuing and rehabbing animals, glitter, and dismantling systemic oppression.
Larry Rumbough, President of the Board
Larry is a certified mediator and a consultant, with a doctorate in Educational Leadership (and several other degrees) from UCF. He is the co-founder of VegCF and has attended nearly every meetup since 2003. He has been vegan for 45 years and active in animal rights causes for 35 years. His favorite thing has been organizing VegCF's vegan festivals, Central Florida Veg Fest and Central Florida Earth Day since 2005. He likes to do mud runs and triathlons, go to concerts, play trivia, and travel for vegan food. He is a longtime resident of Orlando, where he lives with his cats.
Larry is a certified mediator and a consultant, with a doctorate in Educational Leadership (and several other degrees) from UCF. He is the co-founder of VegCF and has attended nearly every meetup since 2003. He has been vegan for 45 years and active in animal rights causes for 35 years. His favorite thing has been organizing VegCF's vegan festivals, Central Florida Veg Fest and Central Florida Earth Day since 2005. He likes to do mud runs and triathlons, go to concerts, play trivia, and travel for vegan food. He is a longtime resident of Orlando, where he lives with his cats.
Vanja Grbic, Board Member
Vanja came to the United States from Bosnia as a war refugee in 1997. She obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Social Science Education and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida. She has been working in the medical sales field since 2006. Vanja has been a vegetarian for 8 years and vegan for almost 8 years. She has been a dedicated volunteer for Central Florida Veg Fest and Central Florida Earth Day for many years. Vanja has created a free Go Vegan For a Week Challenge that provides interested participants with a grocery shopping list, meal plan, and recipes for an entire week. She provides free coaching and help to everyone interested in switching to the vegan diet. (www.vanjasveganvoyage.com). Vanja has also created a YouTube Channel, Vanjas Vegan Voyage, where she regularly posts vegan recipes, restaurant reviews, vegan makeup tutorials, and vegan travel adventures all around the world.
Vanja came to the United States from Bosnia as a war refugee in 1997. She obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Social Science Education and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida. She has been working in the medical sales field since 2006. Vanja has been a vegetarian for 8 years and vegan for almost 8 years. She has been a dedicated volunteer for Central Florida Veg Fest and Central Florida Earth Day for many years. Vanja has created a free Go Vegan For a Week Challenge that provides interested participants with a grocery shopping list, meal plan, and recipes for an entire week. She provides free coaching and help to everyone interested in switching to the vegan diet. (www.vanjasveganvoyage.com). Vanja has also created a YouTube Channel, Vanjas Vegan Voyage, where she regularly posts vegan recipes, restaurant reviews, vegan makeup tutorials, and vegan travel adventures all around the world.
Jessi VanPelt, Board Member Emeritus
Jessi is a marketing & events manager, with a degree in Organizational Communication from Rollins College, and three certificates from Rollins' Philanthropy Center. She also co-founded Family Forever Animal Foundation, and is involved with several other animal-protection organizations. She loves yoga, going to the dog park, cooking vegan for friends & family, and people who TNR (trap-neuter-return) the cats in their neighborhoods! She has been a member of VegCF since 2007, and served on the Board from 2009-2016. She loves to mentor aspiring vegetarians and vegans.
Jessi is a marketing & events manager, with a degree in Organizational Communication from Rollins College, and three certificates from Rollins' Philanthropy Center. She also co-founded Family Forever Animal Foundation, and is involved with several other animal-protection organizations. She loves yoga, going to the dog park, cooking vegan for friends & family, and people who TNR (trap-neuter-return) the cats in their neighborhoods! She has been a member of VegCF since 2007, and served on the Board from 2009-2016. She loves to mentor aspiring vegetarians and vegans.
Thanks also to our past Board members for their support and hard work.
