Building a movement for health in and around New York City, nonprofit organization Plant Powered Metro New York (PPMNY) will celebrate three years of grassroots education and action promoting whole food, plant-based nutrition. The anniversary event, To Our Health! A Plant Powered Party, will take place on Tuesday, March 8, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. The livestream party, 7:00 – 8:15 PM ET, will feature remarks from the following honorees, alongside tributes to each:
- Pioneer: T. Colin Campbell, PhD, Nutrition Scientist and Bestselling Author of The China Study, has been dedicated to the science of human health for more than 60 years. Although largely known for his research into diet and disease in China – especially linking animal protein and cancer – Dr. Campbell’s profound impact also includes extensive involvement in education, public policy, and laboratory research.
- Health Hero: Ron Weiss, MD, Primary Care Physician/Farmer and Founder of Ethos Primary Care and Ethos Farm Project, is dual board-certified in internal medicine and lifestyle medicine. He is also a botanist and farmer and offers an evidence-based, food-as-medicine approach to healing from chronic illness and optimizing wellness.
- Grassroots Champion: Aifra Ruiz, Health Coach and PPMNY Latinx Community Organizer, helps people transition to a plant-based lifestyle and brings this message to Spanish-speaking communities. Aifra has served as a coach and now as a project manager of PPMNY’s 10-Day Jumpstart programs for SOMOS Community Care.
During the livestream, culinary demonstrations featuring party-friendly snacks and healthy mocktails will be led by PPMNY educators Chef Brandy Cochrane, Chef Carole Levy, and Latinx Community Organizer Mare Gomez-Bolaños. Closing out the livestream portion of the evening will be Lianna Levine Reisner, PPMNY Network Director, with a look at the past, present, and future of PPMNY’s mission in action.
Following the livestream, PPMNY invites the community to one of two Zoom after-parties. All party registrants are eligible to attend the Community Connections after-party to connect with others and explore common areas of interest like culinary skills, food justice, and wellness beyond nutrition. Donors who contribute $1,000+ will have access to an intimate Honoree Networking after-party which is limited to 20 households.
In conjunction with the party, PPMNY is raising funds through an online auction with experiences, products, and services that support healthy living. Featured items include dinner for two at Eleven Madison Park, VIP tickets to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, nutrition and cooking courses, kitchen tools, and wholesome food products. The auction will be open for bidding March 1 – 15.
“The plant-based health movement in the New York metro area is alive and well. In just three short years, Plant Powered Metro New York has become a trusted voice and an avenue for empowering education in our local, multicultural communities. It has been truly gratifying for PPMNY to support the blossoming of our movement, especially in the wake of pioneers like Dr. T. Colin Campbell and with the talent and persistence of physicians like Dr. Ron Weiss and community leaders like Aifra Ruiz. ‘To Our Health’ is a celebration of all of us and who we can become when we work together to advance whole food, plant-based nutrition,” said Ms. Reisner.
Honoree Dr. Weiss said, “Our food system is responsible for one third of greenhouse gas emissions. PPMNY plays a crucial role in helping us to reduce our carbon footprint by inspiring and supporting all New Yorkers to adopt a diet of whole plant foods. Doing so will make sure the greatest city in the world is here for our children and grandchildren.”
“Being part of PPMNY has given me the chance to connect with people who live the same lifestyle. It has also been a bridge for me to offer education and promote the benefits of plant-based eating in my community. When I met Lianna, she told me about PPMNY’s mission and I felt so aligned with her that I told her I wanted to help her. This community has been growing for three years, making me feel very proud and excited by what we have built and what is to come,” shared honoree Ms. Ruiz.
To Our Health! A Plant Powered Party may be viewed for free, simultaneously streamed on PPMNY’s Facebook Page and YouTube channel. Registration is encouraged to receive a digital party recipe booklet and links to attend the Zoom after-parties. The public is invited to bid on auction items beginning March 1st at 4:00 PM.