The Vegan Outlet is a brand-new, monthly event hosted by the Orlando Bearded Vegan. Located at the HENAO Contemporary Center near the Fairview area, this FREE marketplace celebrates vegan eating and living in Central Florida.
Each month, visitors will enjoy live entertainment, vegan food options, and craft vendors using animal-free and environmentally-conscious materials. The Vegan Outlet returns on January 16 from 11am-3pm, with continuing events the second Saturday of each subsequent month. Here’s a bit more about what you can expect at this awesome event!
Vendors
The Vegan Outlet is a paradise for anyone looking to adopt or maintain a wholesome vegan lifestyle. With a wide variety of 30 food and craft vendors, every single station uses animal-free ingredients and methods. Many of the craft artisans also boast an environmentally-conscious production method and overall quality materials.
While there are too many vendors to highlight in an individual post, here are a few of the local businesses we met while attending the December event:
Zero.Orlando
Zero.Orlando specializes in plastic free, vegan products including make-up, toiletries, and other eco-friendly items like stainless steel straws. While they aren’t currently equipped for online ordering, you can find them at various pop-ups and festivals throughout the Orlando area. Follow them on Instagram to stay informed!
The Bacon Snack Factory
Specializing in plant-based, pork rind type snacks, The Bacon Snack Factory offers a wide variety of flavors. Selections include Bacon BBQ, Pizza, Cheddar Cheese, and Dill Pickle. I didn’t try these myself, as I’m not really a big fan of this type of snack. However, one of my friends tried them and liked them so much she bought a bag! She said they had great flavor without being as greasy as their animal derived counterpart.
Vegan Take Out
Offering Asian, Caribbean, and Latin inspired, plant-based dishes for weekly meal delivery, you can also find Vegan Take Out at various pop-ups and festivals throughout Orlando. I tried their General Tso Tofu with broccoli and jasmine rice. As this dish was only $5, I assumed it was going to be super tiny, but it was actually HUGE! The value for this meal is incredible. Next time, I definitely want to try their Mac and Cheez with Vegan Shrimp!
Knocker Tots
My friends wanted to try Knocker Tots, which serves a variety of plant-based toppings covering primo tater tots. One ordered the Naked Knockers with white truffle oil, and the other tried the Totcho Knockers with plant-based cheese sauce and sour cream. Both were incredibly happy with their choices, and the Totcho toppings have similar tastes and textures to the non-vegan versions.
Totcho Knockers 
Naked Knockers
These are just a few examples of the plant-based vendors you might meet during your visit. Exact participants may change monthly, but you can be sure that there will be a variety of vegan food and goods available. You never know what favorite product you might discover, so come out and support these awesome local businesses!
Entertainment
Each month, The Vegan Outlet will feature various forms of live entertainment. During our visit, a DJ offered musical accompaniment for patrons and vendors. Additionally, there was a special guest speaker in honor of the first event. Anna V. Eskamani, Florida House Representative, shared her own history with veganism. Subsequent months might feature live music or other performances – you’ll have to visit to find out!
When is The Vegan Outlet?
The next Vegan Outlet will take place on January 16th. After that date, the event will repeat on the second Saturday of the month. Each market lasts from 11am-3pm.
Where is The Vegan Outlet?
The Vegan Outlet is located at the HENAO Contemporary Center at 5601 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32810. You can find easy, free parking in a nearby shopping center. You’ll see plenty of volunteers wearing neon vests, directing you inside the lot to the best area in which to park your vehicle. It’s just a short walk to the Center where you can begin shopping and eating to your heart’s delight!
Important Things To Know:
- While there are outdoor tables available, they fill up quickly. Plan to eat your lunch at non-peak meal times to ensure you get a seat.
- Many of the tables are directly next to the entertainment stage. If you are sensitive to loud noises, bring hearing protection.
- This is an outdoor event on grassy, uneven terrain. I recommend wearing closed-toed, comfortable shoes.
Event Information:
HENAO Contemporary Center
5601 Edgewater Dr
Orlando, FL 32810
Date:
January 16, 2021; Second Saturdays thereafter
Time:
11am-3pm
