Vegan Eating on the Rise in Jackson Following Mayor’s Healthy-Eating Challenge

For Immediate Release:
August 9, 2017

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba’s monthlong vegan challenge has sparked a new trend in plant-based eating in Jackson. Local eatery Cool Al’s has seen a surge in customers who are ordering meat-free menu items and requesting the vegan starter kits that PETA provided. In a letter to PETA, Cool Al’s owner, Kim Moroski, reveals that she and a member of the mayor’s staff have even started a new plant-based health group, whose first official event will be an August 27 screening of Netflix’s hit documentary What the Health, which is inspiring people across the country to ditch meat and dairy foods. More information is below, and available at PETA.org.

August 7, 2017

This is the first time since I have lived here (23 years!!) that I see a glimmer of hope in regards to diet and lifestyle change. Thank you for your support. We have many people taking the vegan starter guides and just as many inquiring about and ordering off our plant-based menu. Yesterday I met with a member of the mayor’s staff as well as a few other people eating a plant-based diet, and we established Plant Based Health Mississippi. Our first event is August 27. We are viewing What the Health and offering some vegan food, like my famous gumbo! We are also offering one-to-one mentoring locally to help support people through their lifestyle changes. We realize people need long-term support and encouragement, particularly in a place like Mississippi. I will keep you posted!

—Kim