Students who salivate at the smell of tempeh and tofu will be bombarded by the aroma Tuesday.
Animal Activists of Alachua, a UF animal-rights organization, will offer free vegan meals from more than 15 businesses and restaurants on the Plaza of the Americas to promote meat-and-dairy-free lifestyles.
Lunch will be served on the southwest corner of the plaza from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Shivani Patel, the group's former president, said hungry students should come early because food typically runs out before the last hour of the festival known as VegFest, which is the group's biggest event of the year.
"It gives students a chance to sample the vegan options Gainesville has to offer," she said.
Students can get a taste of vegan chili from Gator Dining Services or try falafels from Gyros Plus.
Other local vendors include Farah's on the Avenue, 43rd Street Deli, Harvest Thyme, Leonardo's 706, The Gelato Company, Falafel King, The Tempeh Shop, Reggae Shack Cafe and Book Lover's Café. Chocolate soy milk and other vegan beverages will also be on hand to help students wash down their free meals.
Kalakantha Das, Hare Krishna temple president, said Tuesday's Krishna lunch of basmati rice and garbanzo beans will still be served on campus despite the competition on the Plaza.
Das said the Krishna kitchen staff would probably prepare less food Tuesday, but it's no big deal - he has nothing but good relations with the animal-rights group.
"They're our friends," Das said. "We're always happy for the support."
Ryan Huling, the college campaign coordinator for peta2, the youth division of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said Animal Activists of Alachua deserves some of the credit for UF's No. 10 spot on peta2's list of Most Vegetarian-Friendly Colleges for the second year in a row. Huling said about 10,000 students ranked 30 national universities' vegetarian offerings during October, and the top-10 schools were announced in mid-November.
