Green Festival Los Angeles Update

     I just wanted to make an update on my experience at Green Festival in Los Angeles and let you more about what is coming next!

Photo from GreenFestivals.org

     Green Festival is a multi-city celebration of all things sustainable - including clothes, food, home items, services, and more.  It showcases brands and products screened by Green America and Global Exchange for their commitment to remaining ethically and environmentally conscious.  In addition to Los Angeles, the event is also held in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C.  I have attended in Chicago but was so busy with finals for school that I didn't really get to experience it.
     It was so inspiring to meet up with other sustainability minded people.  The event is set up so there are presentation stages featuring knowledgeable speakers of different aspects of being green - from cooking, shopping, running a business, or general living.  Between the stages and throughout the convention center were booths showcasing items or services from green exhibitors.

Entry badge.

     The HUB LA, a center for green businesses and technology with branches around the world, was a media partner for the festival.  They were kind enough to extend their lounge, exclusive presentations, and after party with Green Ambassador ticket holders, including myself.  

Food and drink spread.  Thank you, HUB LA, for also allowing me to charge up my phone and use your wi-fi!  I really needed it.

    I enjoyed sampling delicious vegan/vegetarian food and drink items.  While I stick to poultry and seafood as far as animal products, I love creative vegetarian and vegan options as well and am excited to bring some of those options back to my family.  The "Vampire Killer" kale chips (flavored with garlic and vegan cheese!) from Brad's Raw Foods were tasty and I brought home a box.  My mother and sister seem to like them too!

Never tried them before but I am glad I did!

     Another interesting consumable item I tried was a chia seed drink.  Mamma Chia provided the chia drinks at the fest.  The texture was jelly-like.  It was drinkable and even though there were jelly bits from the cooked up chia seeds, there wasn't anything to chew.  It sounds strange but was pretty good and is supposedly very good for athletes.  My favorite flavor was blackberry hibiscus, followed by coconut mango.

Different flavors of chia drink

     No GreenFest is complete without a fashion show!  Rebecca Mink, vegan shoe designer for MINK shoes, was the host of the "California Dreaming" fashion show.  I may be biased but I think I like Chicago fashion shows better!  Though it was still a great time with some interesting designs.

     The end of the show.

     After the fashion show was the after party!  I had a blast and was able to try the remaining Veev VitaFrute flavors.  I can definitely say my favorite is still margarita!  The food was provided by Sun Cafe and again, was all vegan and vegetarian.  I loved that the food was delicious and nobody was shy about eating it.

Party snapshot. The date on my camera is off by a month.

     I also really loved the recycled fabric giftbag and all the fun eco-goodies!

     The HUB office was pretty cool, complete with lots of open space and private meeting rooms.  Motivation to stay true to their values and also move forward with technology was literally written on the wall. Technology makes it possible for the Los Angeles members to do what they do and keep in touch with other HUB members all over the world at the click of a button.

Chalk drawing on a wall at the HUB

     Speaking of technology, I have to give a shout out for the team at Uber Los Angeles.  It was raining on a Saturday night in downtown and they sent me a safe ride to and from the party within minutes.  Max and the Chicago team are great and I am glad service is just as consistent in other areas.


     The next day at the fest I learned a lot about fair trade and browsed some more booths.  There was so much beautiful jewelry, all handmade and that made use of recycled items.

From War to Peace makes cool copper jewelry from recycled bullets and other weapons.

    Fahmina uses recycled leather in their designs

Unified People/Bobo Wince uses recycled leather, geodes, and other stones for their jewelry and are handmade in Los Angeles

I ended up buying this beautiful wrap bracelet/necklace from Unified People.

     There is so much to share with you in the coming weeks about fair trade and the sources behind some of the items we buy.  I am also working on some spotlights on my favorite eco-conscious brands - including some I found at GreenFest and my part of the Indigenous #worthwearing campaign.  Still putting together an "at-a-glance" type information page comparing some of these brands, let me know if you have suggestions.  Thanks for reading and please keep checking back!