Who Orlando Vegans Is

Nikki Namdar
@nikkinamdar
nikki@orlandovegans.net
Nikki Namdar began her vegetarian journey in 2005 after seeing slaughterhouse videos by PETA. She always had a heart for animals and learned fast she wanted to take them off her plate. After meeting animal activist Jane Velez-Mitchell in 2011, she decided to omit all animal products from her life and launched Orlando Vegans two years later. As the founder of one of the leading vegan groups in Orlando, Nikki has connected her community and conducted charities, as well as food tastings all around Central Florida. Orlando Vegans began as a school project and a way for her to meet vegan friends. She is the food coordinator for both Central Florida Earth Day and Central Florida Veg Fest. She has been featured on FOX News and WESH, helping to spread the cruelty-free message. She is the mother to eight rescue kitties and a smiley pit bull named Cookie. She enjoys spending her free time cuddling animals, being fed by her vegan boyfriend, and introducing people to the vegan lifestyle through delicious foods.
@nikkinamdar
nikki@orlandovegans.net
Nikki Namdar began her vegetarian journey in 2005 after seeing slaughterhouse videos by PETA. She always had a heart for animals and learned fast she wanted to take them off her plate. After meeting animal activist Jane Velez-Mitchell in 2011, she decided to omit all animal products from her life and launched Orlando Vegans two years later. As the founder of one of the leading vegan groups in Orlando, Nikki has connected her community and conducted charities, as well as food tastings all around Central Florida. Orlando Vegans began as a school project and a way for her to meet vegan friends. She is the food coordinator for both Central Florida Earth Day and Central Florida Veg Fest. She has been featured on FOX News and WESH, helping to spread the cruelty-free message. She is the mother to eight rescue kitties and a smiley pit bull named Cookie. She enjoys spending her free time cuddling animals, being fed by her vegan boyfriend, and introducing people to the vegan lifestyle through delicious foods.
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I didn't know a single person when I moved to Orlando, but I have met so many people thanks to Orlando Vegans. It's great being around like-minded people with good energy. I feel fortunate that Orlando is so amazing. Thank you for helping me feel welcome and a part of the community" - Jason Keeler |
I was unexpectedly inspired by what I witnessed that day: Nikki, with each encounter, would exchange introductions and then encourage whoever it was to join us walking around. Her approach was so genuine and caring that it was clear that she didn’t just talk the talk of compassion, she walked the walk. It set the tone for an easy gathering of then-strangers and lay the foundation for some new friendships. We became an unlikely, but altogether enjoyable, tribe for the day. Nikki made this look effortless, because, for her, I think it was. When I consider how much Orlando Vegans has grown since it first became known to |