Bronx Vegan Bazaar celebrates 3 years of expanding vegan, plant-based options in borough

The Bronx Vegan Bazaar is open every other Wednesday at the Andrew Freedman Home on the Grand Concourse from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Heather Fordham

Aug 22, 2024, 2:31 AM

Updated 21 days ago

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Chopped cheese egg rolls, mac and cheese balls, and vegan jambalaya are just a few mouthwatering dishes served at the Bronx Vegan Bazaar.
The vegan, sustainable market is the first-of-its-kind in the borough, founded in 2020 by Raidirys Rivas McCray.
McCray says she saw the need to expand access to vegan products and food in the Bronx.
"We want to support the community who are looking for this, like the vegans, plant-based health-conscious people, people who are into sustainability, often times we have to go outside the borough and do that," said McCray.
What started with just seven vendors in Riverdale has grown into a large-scale food extravaganza, with vendors from all over New York City, some even traveling from New Jersey.
Grace Urena created Un Chin! Seasoning Company in her Bronx kitchen during the pandemic.
"I lost my mother and grandmother to a combination of health issues, I wanted something for the community that didn't have any preservatives," said Urena.
Urena says growing up in the Bronx, it was hard to find healthy, fresh and affordable options.
"It was not even an option to find natural, to find healthy food, to find fresh food, to find organic food, didn't exist, so having events like this like the bazaar where we are brining vegan food, natural food is incredible," said Urena.
The Bronx Vegan Bazaar is open every other Wednesday at the Andrew Freedman Home on the Grand Concourse from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.