Vegetarian Resources

Several nonprofits in the national capital region (DC, nearby Maryland, and northern Virginia) support vegetarianism.

Vegetarian Society of the District of Columbia

VSDC has many local free social gatherings and outreach activities each month — see our event calendar. VSDC's events include potlucks, book discussions, restaurant visits, and gatherings for the singles and GLBT communities.

VSDC also organizes the DC Area Vegan Meetup Group, another great way to keep up to date on local events.

Local Meetup Groups

Area blogs/ email lists

• DC Vegan
• By Any Greens Necessary by Tracye McQuirter 

Nutrition and vegetarianism information

• Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) ― diet information, nutrition information, vegetarian starter kits 
• Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) ― restaurant guide, Vegetarian Journal magazine

National advocacy with local activities

• A Well-Fed World, with top 12 ways to eat green
• Action for Animals Network, with veg actions and articles 
• Compassion Over Killing and their vegetarian starter guide 
• FARM (Farm Animal Reform Movement), Great American Meatout, and their vegetarian starter kit 
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) publishes a Guide to Vegetarian Eating 
• People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and their Action Center
• Sierra Club's True Cost of Food Campaign, Metro DC restaurant outings 

Farmed animal sanctuaries

• Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, Poolesville, MD
• Star Gazing Farm, Boyds, MD
• Pigs, A Sanctuary, Shepherdstown, WV
• Rikki's Refuge, Orange, VA
• Eastern Shore Sanctuary & Education Center, Princess Anne, MD
• United Poultry Concerns (UPC), Machipongo, VA

VSDC affiliates

Although VSDC's focus is the DC metropolitan area, VSDC is connected with the vegetarian movement in the United States and internationally.

VSDC is a member of the Vegetarian Union of North America (VUNA). VUNA is a regional council of the International Vegetarian Union, and therefore VSDC is also a member of IVU, founded in 1908. VSDC is a full (voting) member of both organizations. Anyone can become a non-voting member of VUNA and IVU.

VSDC is an independent affiliate of the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS), founded in 1974. Members of their affiliates qualify for half-price NAVS membership, which includes a subscription to their Vegetarian Voice magazine, a 10% discount on books and merchandise, and reduced price for their annual Vegetarian Summerfest conference.

VSDC is a Vegan Information Point for the American Vegan Society (AVS), founded in 1960. AVS membership includes a subscription to American Vegan magazine.

VSDC is an approved member of the Co-op America Business Network, having passed all the requirements of their screening process as being a committed green organization, based on our social and environmental practices and policies. Co-op America members receive the National Green Pages.

Although VSDC is affiliated with those five organizations, we remain independent, answering only to our own members.

Last modified: December 21, 2011 10:13 AM