Meat-Free Anniversary

Today, Ghent, Belgium, is celebrating the one-year anniversary of Veggie Day, its weekly, meat-free campaign to reduce meat consumption citywide. On May 6, 2009, Ghent became the first global city to dedicate one day per week to vegetarian eating. In honor of its anniversary, officials in Ghent have planned a celebration that includes handing out free veggie sandwiches and appearances by Councilman Tom Balthazar and veg celebrity and cookbook author Evy Guyaert. The decision to declare a weekly Veggie Day came after government officials recognized the negative health hazards and environmental impact associated with consuming meat.