What is Long Island Vegan Family Network?

We are a community of families who get together to provide our kids with a safe, relaxing, and fun environment where they can be themselves, and where they know the food will be vegan. Our kids deserve a place where they can feel nurtured and validated by others who share their values. And guess what? We parents need that too! So please join us. Let's meet at least once a month, build community and foster new friendships.

We were inspired by the success of the Chicago Vegan Family Network (and this article: http://www.examiner.com/article/a-blueprint-for-starting-your-own-vegan-family-network).

Who is eligible: Adults with children age 0-18 are eligible to join. "Love makes a family!"  Our group recognizes and affirms families of all different sizes and structures.  Parents-to-be are welcome, too.

Many LIVFN members identify as vegan. But we don't limit the group to vegans only, because a number of us have families with one adult who has gone vegan and another who hasn't. The guidelines for LIVFN's gatherings are: the food is always vegan, and everyone is treated with kindness.

Nonmembers may attend gatherings as the guest of a member. Members: if you plan to bring a guest, please provide info when you RSVP. (For example, "Our friend Gretchen will be joining us at the picnic.")

E-mail is our primary means of communication, so you must be able to receive e-mails from the group.

How to join: For the safety of our members, we need to know who you are. Joining the group involves completing your profile, uploading a photo (or photos) of the members of your family, and sending your full name and phone number to Organizer Mike Engel. (Click on his name under the Organizers heading at left to send an email.)  Membership is free.

How to stay in touch: for discussion, use the message board or LIVFN's Facebook page (coming soon). To receive notification of message board updates, you can adjust your settings (under Account, under Email Settings).

The mailing list is used just for announcements, and all posts are held for approval (spam prevention measure).