Written by Fangwen Huang
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Ida Eva Zielinska
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025, Texas VegFest is a free public education event appropriate for all ages and one of the largest vegan and plant-based lifestyle events in Austin, Texas. This year’s festival took place on Saturday, April 5, from 11 AM to 6 PM at Fiesta Gardens – officially Edward Rendon, Sr. Park at Festival Beach – a scenic venue along Lady Bird Lake known for hosting some of the city’s most popular festivals.
This year’s VegFest featured more than 70 exhibitors, including nonprofit organizations, specialty food producers, and food trucks. The event also offered live music, cooking demonstrations, and lectures on a variety of topics. Altogether, the festival created a lively and educational experience, inviting attendees to enjoy a wide array of vegan food while exploring themes of health, environmental protection, and sustainability in a welcoming, family-friendly setting.
Tzu Chi USA’s Austin Service Center has participated in Texas VegFest since 2015, showcasing Jing Si products and introducing the public to Tzu Chi’s mission. More than just offering eco-friendly goods, volunteers use the opportunity to inspire compassion, encourage good deeds, and invite attendees to join in protecting all living beings and loving the Earth, all with the aspiration of building a disaster-free, peaceful society.
The Tzu Chi Spirit Remained Strong Despite the Cold and Wind
Spring weather in Texas is famously unpredictable. The day before the event was bright and sunny, but by evening, rain and strong winds had rolled in. Overnight, temperatures dropped to around 55°F, and the wind and rain continued into the morning of the festival. A heavy downpour and gusts averaging 15 miles per hour raised concerns about how the weather might impact the festival and its attendees.
Despite the cold and wind, Tzu Chi volunteers remained undeterred. They arrived at the venue’s parking lot an hour ahead of schedule and unloaded three large trucks filled with supplies and Jing Si products. Spirits remained high as they set up the booth, determined to serve with joy and resilience.
Though the rain had stopped by then, the ground was still wet. Braving the biting wind, volunteers arranged boxes of products on tables draped in blue tablecloths. They also set up a beautiful folding screen as a backdrop and hung Jing Si Aphorism scrolls, showcasing Tzu Chi’s humanistic spirit while lending a touch of warmth to the cold and windy day.
Sharing Products and Connection
Serving hot tea to festivalgoers has become a beloved tradition at Tzu Chi’s booth, and this year was no exception. On the morning of the event, volunteers Fangwen Huang and Chiuhsia Han brewed three types of tea at home: oolong, red oolong, and Hongshui oolong, preparing over three gallons to serve throughout the day.
As attendees visited the booth, volunteers offered a cup of hot tea. Beyond its inviting aroma and taste, even the warmth of the cup on a cold day made people smile and say, “It feels so good!” The simple gesture created a moment of connection between guests and volunteers.
Volunteers also shared the story behind Jing Si tea and the philosophy of “Living in Harmony with the Earth,” practiced at the Jing Si Tea Garden in Sanyi Township, located in central Taiwan. The garden is a property managed by the Jing Si Abode, where Dharma Master Cheng Yen, founder of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, and her nuns reside. Nestled in a misty, rain-fed mountain region, the garden uses organic methods such as pineapple enzyme fertilizer and rainwater irrigation to cultivate its teas with great care and environmental mindfulness.
The volunteers emphasized that Jing Si teas are not only high quality but also affordably priced, especially compared to other teas on the market. Many tea drinkers, aware of increasing import costs and tariffs, were surprised by the value and more inclined to buy.
“With the purchase of any two tea items, you will receive a free handbag crafted by Tzu Chi volunteers in Taiwan!” the volunteers added to sweeten the deal. The elegant, practical bags enhanced the appeal of the products, and together with the volunteers’ sincere tea service and thoughtful promotion, contributed to a successful day of sales.
Attracting Existing and New Fans
Tzu Chi’s booth at Texas VegFest featured a thoughtful selection of Jing Si products, including their signature teas, alongside eco-friendly offerings from DA.AI Technology. With an emphasis on environmental protection, mindful consumption, and compassion for animals, volunteers also promoted plant-based diets as a meaningful way to reduce harm and care for the planet. Through their warm interactions and sincere explanations, the volunteers effectively conveyed Tzu Chi’s spirit of mindful living and Great Love, a message that resonated deeply with both first-time visitors and returning supporters.
Amanda Bell, a vegan and enthusiastic VegFest attendee, shared how much she appreciated the volunteers at the Tzu Chi booth. “They showed me what the products were, and they also showed me how to use them in my daily life. And I think that is really important,” she said. “It lets me try different things that I’ve never tried before. That’s amazing!”
Speaking about her motivation to adopt a vegan lifestyle, Bell explained, “The way that we treat animals before we eat them is really hard for me to agree with. I became a vegan because I cannot imagine putting somebody through something like that.” She then shared her advice for others considering a plant-based diet. “Just try one meal, don’t worry about changing the world, maybe have a salad instead of a burger,” she said, emphasizing that the most important thing is to be conscious of what’s being ingested.
Among the returning visitors was Kristine French, a long-time supporter of Tzu Chi. “I’ve been coming back to the booth for the past three years. I buy noodles every year, and the ginger paste is so good! Everyone is always so nice and inviting. The organization seems to be formed by awesome people,” she said.
Raising Funds for Myanmar Earthquake Survivors
While engaging with attendees at VegFest, Tzu Chi volunteers also turned their hearts toward those suffering from a recent disaster. They set up a donation box at the booth to raise funds for survivors of a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28. As they promoted Jing Si products and shared Tzu Chi’s global humanitarian mission, volunteers encouraged visitors to join them in offering love and support to those in need.
After listening to volunteer Yenping Liu speak about Tzu Chi’s relief efforts around the world, one woman was so moved that she immediately picked up her phone and scanned the QR code to donate directly to the Myanmar earthquake relief fund.
When volunteer Fangwen Huang thanked her and praised her compassion, the donor responded, “This is the right thing to do in this time of disasters and difficulties. With everything going on in today’s world, we need to support each other.”
A Mission Beyond Sales
As the event came to a close, the volunteers who served at the 2025 Texas VegFest reflected on their efforts and intentions, not simply to offer eco-friendly products but also to inspire a lasting commitment to protecting all life.
Every year, Tzu Chi volunteers work hard to introduce Jing Si products to more VegFest attendees. The goal is not to increase sales, but to mobilize more people to recognize the urgency of veganism and the importance of caring for all beings. Through these efforts, the volunteers hope that everyone can do their part to support the sustainability of the planet and help create a peaceful, safe world for all.
Volunteer Cheng Kao shared that the Austin Service Center began preparing for the festival soon after the Lunar New Year. Over time, volunteers have continued to expand the variety of items available at the booth, with ginger paste and noodles remaining especially popular. In 2025, they added new noodle flavors, which drew additional interest and led many attendees to make purchases. Other eco-friendly items, such as collapsible chopsticks, were especially popular with younger attendees for their practicality and sustainability.
The team also requested Jing Si soaps from Taiwan be sent to the Austin Service Center so they could introduce them at the festival and share their story and significance with attendees.
During the event, the volunteers explained how the nuns of the Jing Si Abode thoughtfully select ingredients and craft each bar with care. Made without added fragrances or artificial colors, the soaps celebrate authenticity and reflect values such as cherishing resources, caring for the Earth, and practicing mindfulness in everyday life. This spirit is embodied in the nuns’ quiet, meditative approach to every step of the soap-making process.
The 2025 Texas VegFest was more than just a celebration of plant-based living: it was a space for heartfelt connection, education, and shared purpose. From warm cups of tea to thoughtful conversations and sustainable products, Tzu Chi volunteers offered attendees a glimpse into a lifestyle rooted in compassion and mindful action.
Discover how Tzu Chi USA is promoting plant-based diets through its Very Veggie Movement, which aims to unite society around the cause of animal rights, environmental protection, and public health. Joining our movement can be one click away!
