Events

Health Freedom Walk: A Bridgeport Restaurant Crawl Honoring Dr. King

Presented in partnership with CT State College Housatonic

Join Plant Powered Metro New York for our 4th annual Health Freedom Walk, a restaurant “crawl” hosted in multiple neighborhoods around the region, offering progressive plant-powered dishes that pay tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s enduring legacy of justice. Come celebrate freedom, fun, and food as we take back our health and support local eateries highlighting plant based options.

We honor Rev. Dr. King’s legacy, by elevating nutrition that presents a transformative opportunity for health, healing, and hope for all, especially those in marginalized communities.

Each Health Freedom Walk will be unique to its neighborhood, which may include key landmarks recognizing Dr. King and or the civil rights movement, eateries serving diverse cuisines, and walk marshals who will provide inspiration and historical perspective. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to honor Dr. King’s national holiday, look no further and get ready to eat well, gather in community, and walk for health freedom.

Community members are invited to a full day of connection, food, and fun at Housatonic, starting with a complimentary lunch featuring plant-based options. The day kicks off at 10:00 AM with a history game, followed by live entertainment, and a shared meal.

At 1:00 PM there’ll be a guided historical walk through the neighborhood where participants will gain deeper insight into local history before gathering at the Bridgeport Library to hear from a guest speaker. We’ll end on a sweet note with dessert at the beloved Veganish Restaurant.

Join us for the morning events, the restaurant and library crawl, or both!

Both events begin at Housatonic Community College, 900 Lafayette Boulevard,Bridgeport, CT 06604.

Walk Marshal & Speaker: Bobby Ramos

A $5 donation to PPMNY is required to hold your spot. Lunch at the Housatonic Cafeteria is sponsored and free. Please expect to pay $7–$10 for the meal at Veganish Cafe. Dishes will build on one another to create a complete meal.

Hosted by Rich Hubbard and Alison Williams, PPMNY Volunteers

Cooking with Chef Carole: Superbowl Edition

Virtual

Presented with the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan

Explore the delicious world of plant-based baking and cooking without added oils, salt, or sugar. Chef Carole Levy, PPMNY Culinary Educator, will walk us through some of her favorite recipes, made with easy-to-access ingredients.

Event access is by donation or free to anyone unable to contribute. Please choose the option that fits you best and join us!

Registrants will receive recipes and a Facebook Live and YouTube link on the day of the event. Please note that Facebook Live and YouTube streams are available to viewers with or without Facebook or YouTube accounts.

$5 minimum suggested donation.

The Gut–Brain–Heart Connection: How Emotional Safety Supports Digestion

Presented in Partnership with Marble Collegiate Church

The gut doesn’t work alone — digestion is impacted by how we feel. Marble Collegiate Church and Plant Powered Metro New York welcome Dr. Matthew Lederman, a pioneering physician in “connection medicine” and bestselling author of The Forks Over Knives Plan. Dr. Lederman will explore how our nervous system and emotional attunement influence how we move food through the gut, absorb nutrients, and achieve balance in the microbiome to promote healing from the inside out. Bring your questions and get ready for a new perspective on health and well-being!

Matthew Lederman, MD, is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician and thought leader in whole-person health. Renowned for his integration of plant-based nutrition, Nonviolent Communication, trauma-informed care, and Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Lederman’s work emphasizes the profound link between emotional regulation, safety physiology, and physical healing.

Plant Powered Cooking Class in Parkchester

Join us for a fun, hands-on afternoon of plant-based cooking where you’ll team up with others to prepare, cook and enjoy a wholesome meal together—building community, learning new skills, and celebrating good food.

$25 is requested for grocery money + $2.50 processing fee, due by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, February 18.

Hosted by Rogier van Vlissingen, PPMNY Ambassador

Get Started: Embrace the Power of Plants

Virtual

A welcoming introduction to plant-powered living

If you’re curious about eating more plant foods but not sure where to begin, this one’s for you! Whether you’re exploring more natural ways to support your health, hoping to feel more energized, or just want to eat more nourishing meals, this live virtual meeting will help you get started with clarity and confidence.

Join Plant Powered Metro New York for a dynamic, interactive hour that explores the POWER of whole food, plant-based eating:
• Learn the basics of whole food, plant-based nutrition.
• Discover practical tips for stocking your kitchen and building simple meals you’ll enjoy.
• Hear a story of health transformation from a PPMNY community member.
• Bring your questions for our live Q&A and community conversation.

Walk away with fresh inspiration and practical tools to support your journey to lasting health, plus a free starter packet with meal ideas and simple recipes.

Cooking with Chef Carole

Virtual

Presented with the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan

Explore the delicious world of plant-based baking and cooking without added oils, salt, or sugar. Chef Carole Levy, PPMNY Culinary Educator, will walk us through some of her favorite recipes, made with easy-to-access ingredients.

Event access is by donation or free to anyone unable to contribute. Please choose the option that fits you best and join us!

Registrants will receive recipes and a Facebook Live and YouTube link on the day of the event. Please note that Facebook Live and YouTube streams are available to viewers with or without Facebook or YouTube accounts.

$5 minimum suggested donation.

Plant Powered Cooking Class in Parkchester

Join us for a fun, hands-on afternoon of plant-based cooking where you’ll team up with others to prepare, cook and enjoy a wholesome meal together—building community, learning new skills, and celebrating good food.

$25 is requested for grocery money + $2.50 processing fee, due by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, March 18.

Hosted by Rogier van Vlissingen, PPMNY Ambassador

Cooking with Chef Carole: Off-the-Cuff Creations

Virtual

Presented with the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan

Explore the delicious world of plant-based baking and cooking without added oils, salt, or sugar. This month, Chef Carole Levy, PPMNY Culinary Educator, will be using what’s available in her kitchen to create dishes without recipes! Tune in live to find out what she’s cooking up off-the-cuff.

Event access is by donation or free to anyone unable to contribute. Please choose the option that fits you best and join us!

Registrants will receive recipes and a Facebook Live and YouTube link on the day of the event. Please note that Facebook Live and YouTube streams are available to viewers with or without Facebook or YouTube accounts.

$5 minimum suggested donation.

Get Started: Embrace the Power of Plants

Virtual

A welcoming introduction to plant-powered living

If you’re curious about eating more plant foods but not sure where to begin, this one’s for you! Whether you’re exploring more natural ways to support your health, hoping to feel more energized, or just want to eat more nourishing meals, this live virtual meeting will help you get started with clarity and confidence.

Join Plant Powered Metro New York for a dynamic, interactive hour that explores the POWER of whole food, plant-based eating:
• Learn the basics of whole food, plant-based nutrition.
• Discover practical tips for stocking your kitchen and building simple meals you’ll enjoy.
• Hear a story of health transformation from a PPMNY community member.
• Bring your questions for our live Q&A and community conversation.

Walk away with fresh inspiration and practical tools to support your journey to lasting health, plus a free starter packet with meal ideas and simple recipes.