NJveg Prior Events – 2021
Everyone is welcome at NJveg events: vegan, vegetarian, or veg-curious! Our events are open to the public, except when noted as members only.
The following is a listing of our previous events from 2021, for reference. Outreach, volunteer days, and dining events were restricted during the pandemic, but we still managed to have a lot of fun and safe activities!
Hiking + Dining – Hunterdon County
Sunday December 26, 1pm
Frenchtown Preserve, Horseshoe Bend Rd, Frenchtown, NJ 08825
The 34th in our series started with a hike of ~2.5 miles at the Frenchtown Preserve (info), followed by takeout from vegan-friendly Lovin’ Oven, also in Frenchtown.
Volunteer Work Day
Sunday December 19, 10:30am
Uncle Neil’s Home, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
NJveg traveled to Cumberland County for a volunteer work day! We helped out the vegan nonprofit sanctuary Uncle Neil’s Home. The sanctuary houses over 50 rescued animals, including chickens, ducks, turkeys, goats, cows, and sheep.
Hiking + Dining
Saturday December 11, 1pm
Mountain Lakes Open Space Area, Princeton, NJ 08540
The 33rd in our series started at this Princeton park (info). We hiked several miles in near-record warmth, then headed over to all-vegan restaurant Planted Plate, also in Princeton, and dined outdoors — in mid-December!
Hiking/Walking + Dining – Burlington County
Friday November 26, 1pm
Rancocas State Park, Hainesport NJ 08036
The 32nd in our series was a hike of ~4.5 miles at Rancocas State Park (info). We skipped takeout so we could finish some Thanksliving leftovers.
Hiking + Dining – Burlington County
Sunday November 14, 11:30am
801 Creek Rd, Delanco NJ 08075 & 313 Warren St, Beverly NJ 08010
The 31st in our series was an easy hike of ~3 miles at Pennington Park in Delanco (park brochure), followed by takeout from all-vegan La Lus Cafe in Beverly.
Educational Outreach – Ramsey Farmers’ Market
Sunday November 7, 9am-2pm
Main Street Train Station, Ramsey, NJ 07446
NJveg was invited to participate in the market’s monthly Vegan Corner! The market has several vegan vendors on these days! NJveg answered questions and provide free literature on the benefits of a plant-based diet. We need volunteers for other outreach. Come out for an hour, or the entire event. Help spread the word that going vegan saves animals, protects the environment, and improves your health! No experience is necessary.
If you’re interested in joining NJveg’s outreach team, please contact us at NJveg.org@gmail.com, or 609-557-7077 (text preferred/voice).
Volunteer Work Day
Saturday November 6, 10am-2pm
20 Newell Rd, Leesburg, NJ 08327
NJveg had a joint volunteer work day with Vegan in NJ! We traveled to Cumberland County to help out at the vegan non-profit Marley Meadows Animal Sanctuary. Marley Meadows houses dozens of rescued animals, including cats, ducks, chickens, turkeys, cows, sheep, pigs, goats, and alpacas.
Hiking + Dining – Monmouth County
Saturday October 23, 1pm
The Baklava Lady, 34 Main St, Englishtown, NJ 07726
Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road (Route 520), Lincroft, NJ 07738
The 30th in our series started with pre-hike takeout from all-vegan The Baklava Lady in Englishtown, followed by our rescheduled hike at Thompson Park in Lincroft (brochure/map – note there is also a Thompson Park in Monroe Township, so make sure your GPS has the correct park).
Hiking + Dining – Mercer County
Sunday October 17, 1pm
Princeton, NJ 08540 / 08542
The 29th in our series started with lunch from all-vegan Planted Plate, continued with a hike of 3+ miles at Institute Woods (info/maps), and finished with dessert from all-vegan Arlee’s Raw Blends, all in Princeton.
Members-only Socially Distanced Picnic
Sunday September 26, 1pm
Raritan Township (Flemington), NJ 08822
Join NJveg for a socially-distanced picnic! Chairs will be available, but please bring everything else you need — all food (vegan of course!), drinks, place settings, and if desired, a small table. This is an outdoor event, but there is an indoor bathroom (masks, but no shoes when using).
Educational Outreach – Edison Fall Family Spectacular
Saturday September 25, 11am-11pm
Edison, NJ 08817
NJveg answered questions and provide free literature on the benefits of a plant-based diet. We need volunteers for other outreach. Come out for an hour, or the entire event. Help spread the word that going vegan saves animals, protects the environment, and improves your health! No experience is necessary.
If you’re interested in joining NJveg’s outreach team, please contact us at NJveg.org@gmail.com, or 609-557-7077 (text preferred/voice).
Socially Distanced Hike + Dining – Somerset County
Sunday September 19, 1pm
Hillsborough, NJ 08844 & Griggstown (Franklin Township), NJ 08540
The 28th in our series started with eating outdoors at Papa Vegan in Hillsborough, followed by a ~3.5 mile hike at Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve (1091 Canal Rd, Griggstown NJ 08540; N40° 26.145′ W74° 36.591′).
Educational Outreach – Red Bank Street Fair
Sunday September 12, 11am-5pm
Red Bank, NJ 08822
NJveg answered questions and provided free literature on the benefits of a plant-based diet. We need volunteers for other outreach. Come out for an hour, or the entire event. Help spread the word that going vegan saves animals, protects the environment, and improves your health! No experience is necessary.
If you’re interested in joining NJveg’s outreach team, please contact us at NJveg.org@gmail.com, or 609-557-7077 (text preferred/voice).
Socially Distanced Hike – Burlington County
Monday September 6, 1pm
Delran, NJ 08075 & Willingboro, NJ 08046
The 27th consisted of hikes of about 2 miles each at Amico Island Park (brochure) and Willingboro Lakes Park (brochure). Due to holiday restaurant closures, we skipped takeout this time.
Socially Distanced Hike + Dining – South Jersey
Saturday August 7, 10am
Estelle Manor, NJ 08319 & Egg Harbor, NJ 08232
The 26th in our series was a hike at Estelle Manor Park (info, map). We took a stroll on the 1.8 mile Swamp Trail Boardwalk, and continued on a few more trails for a total of ~5 miles. Lunch at Vegan 15 in Egg Harbor followed.
Socially Distanced Walk + Dining – Middlesex County
Sunday July 25, 1pm
Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge, and Piscataway, NJ
The 25th in our series was a walk on the Middlesex Greenway (map) in Metuchen, Edison, and Woodbridge. Most of us did the full ~7.5 mile roundtrip, with several doing about 4 miles. We then had a delicious dinner at the now all-vegetarian and vegan Thai Basil in Piscataway, and finished with Oatly soft serve at 16 Handles, also in Piscataway.
Socially Distanced Hike + Dining – Union County
Sunday June 20, 1pm
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 & Clark, NJ 07066
For the 24th in our series, we had a very short hike at Ash Brook Reservation in Scotch Plains and a walk at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. We started with takeout or dining outdoors at all-vegan Soul Bowls in Scotch Plains.
Kayak Tour + Dining
Saturday June 12, 1:45pm
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Bob Jaroszewski has been offering nature tours on Deal Lake now for the past few years. He is a knowledgeable birder and wildlife enthusiast. He will share the history of the lake and talk about the wildlife. We usually see herons, egrets, osprey, cormorants, ducks, geese, possibly muskrats, and we even have a few otters living at the lake. Hopefully we will spot them! Bring your own vessel or rent a single/tandem kayak, canoe, or paddle board at Deal Lake Dock (732-403-0730, deallakedock@gmail.com).
Notes: Advance reservations recommended, 2-hour rental suggested. Meet at 1:45pm, tour starts promptly at 2pm. There are no restrooms at the kayak launch. Please plan accordingly. There is a Dunkin Donuts (1401 Main St, Asbury Park) and a McDonalds (1501 Main St) nearby.
Early dinner afterwards at Ada’s Gojjo, Ethiopian and Dominican. They have a good variety of vegan options and a nice outdoor seating area, sometimes with live music. Ada’s is BYOB.
Socially Distanced Walk + Dining – Hunterdon County
Saturday May 22, 11:30am
Lambertville, NJ 08530
The 23rd in our series was on the Delaware River Towpath. On a hot but fortunately not too humid day, we walked about 3 miles. Pre-walk outdoor dining was at all-vegan Humble Cafe & Bakery.
Socially Distanced, Masked Hike + Takeout – Burlington County
Sunday May 9, 9am (rain date)
Chatsworth, NJ 08019
The 22nd in our series was a hike at the Franklin Parker Preserve (info) – 11 miles, our longest, with takeout from vegan-friendly Red Lion Diner in Southampton.
Volunteer Work Day
Sunday May 2, 9:30am-1:30pm
Cedarville, NJ 08311
NJveg had our first volunteer work day this year! 9 volunteers traveled to Cumberland County to help out at the vegan non-profit Freedom Farm Animal Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that rescues neglected and abused animals. The facility houses about 100 farm animal rescues, including chickens, turkeys, peacocks, goats, donkeys, pigs, horses, and cows. FFAR is in the process of developing farm animal outreach programs, school visits, and animal sponsorship opportunities that help raise awareness of the dire conditions under which most farm animals are raised, as well as the abuse and neglect that many of them face.
Socially Distanced, Masked Walk/Hike + Takeout – South Jersey
Saturday April 24, 1pm
Millville, NJ 08332
The 21st in our series started with eating outside at Wildflower Vegan Cafe, followed by hiking all the trails (5.2 miles) at Maurice River Bluffs Preserve (info).
Monthly Online Meetup #10
Sunday April 18, 7pm
Another opportunity just to say hello, or chat for a while. A favorite topic is “what I’m eating during the pandemic”, but anything relevant is welcome.
Socially Distanced, Masked Walk/Hike + Takeout – Hunterdon County
Saturday April 10, 1pm
Readington, NJ 08870
The 20th in our series was at Deer Path Park (info here & here). We hiked ~5.5 miles, then got takeout from nearby and vegan-friendly Savory Thai.
Socially Distanced, Masked Walk/Hike + Takeout – Ocean County
Saturday March 27, 10am
Waretown, NJ 08758
The nineteenth in our series was at Wells Mills County Park (info). We hiked the 8.5 mile Penn Hills (aka Macri) trail (map). Vegan-friendly Happy Habits in Manahawkin was the choice for takeout.
Monthly Online Meetup #9
Sunday March 21, 7pm
Another opportunity just to say hello, or chat for a while. A favorite topic is “what I’m eating during the pandemic”, but anything relevant is welcome.
Socially Distanced, Masked Walk/Hike + Takeout – Somerset County
Saturday March 13, 1pm
Somerset, NJ 08873 / Somerville, NJ 08876
The eighteenth in our series was at Colonial Park (info, map) in Somerset, an easy ~4 mile stroll to rest up for a lengthy hike in a couple of weeks. Afterward most of us ate at very vegan-friendly Turf, Surf, and Earth in Somerville.
Socially Distanced, Masked Walk/Hike
Saturday March 6, 1pm
Bass River Township, NJ 08224
The seventeenth was at Lake Absegami in Bass River State Forest (map). We hiked ~8 miles, but skipped takeout this time.
Monthly Online Meetup #8
Sunday February 21, 7pm
Another opportunity just to say hello, or chat for a while. A favorite topic is “what I’m eating during the pandemic”, but anything relevant is welcome.
Socially Distanced, Masked Walk/Hike + Takeout – Mercer County
Saturday January 30, 1pm
West Windsor, NJ 08550 / Princeton, NJ 08540
The sixteenth in our series was at Mercer County Park in West Windsor (we hiked ~5 miles), followed by takeout from Planted Plate, a new vegan restaurant in Princeton (from the owner of Kaya’s Kitchen).
Monthly Online Meetup #7
Sunday January 24, 7pm
Another opportunity just to say hello, or chat for a while. A favorite topic is “what I’m eating during the pandemic”, but anything relevant is welcome.
Socially Distanced, Masked Walk/Hike + Takeout – Middlesex County
Saturday January 16, 1pm
Old Bridge, NJ 08857 / East Brunswick, NJ 08816
The fifteenth in our series was at Cheesequake State Park in Old Bridge. We hiked ~5 miles. Afterward, some of us headed over to very vegan-friendly Stewart’s Root Beer in East Brunswick.
Socially Distanced, Masked Hike + Takeout – Burlington County
Saturday January 2, 1pm
Woodland Township, NJ 08019 / Southampton, NJ 08088
The fourteenth in our series was a belated New Year’s Day hike at Brendan T. Byrne State Forest in Woodland Township. We hiked ~6.5 miles, followed by an optional short loop around Pakim Pond. Takeout was from vegan-friendly Red Lion Diner in Southampton.
Please let us know what events you would be interested in. Contact us at NJveg.org@gmail.com or 609-557-7077 (text preferred)