On the first day of the first annual Connecticut Vegetarian and Healthy Living Festival we learned two things. There are far more vegetarians and veg-friendly people than we anticipated, and, the vendors will not forbid you from taking more than one (or five) samples of the Jamaican jerk tofu.

Besides the flavorful tofu, there are samples of seitan, chocolate, Italian ice, juice, granola, “Jerquee,” green tea, olive oil, vinegar, salad dressing, spices, and more. If you are then left wondering what to do with the food, various booths provide free pamphlets with recipes; there were several cookbook vendors as well.

If you want to do more than wander about stuffing your gullet, there are booths offering samples of soap, lotion, essential oil, and cosmetics. Others have information and demonstrations for massage, yoga, and meditation.

The Summer of Solutions booth was a highlight, providing information and photographs of el Jardín de Zion Street, a community garden in Hartford.

This free — with the donation of a vegetarian non-perishable item which will be given to Food Not Bombs — event will resume on April 29th at 10 and wrap up at 4pm at the CT Convention Center.