Today is World Vegetarian Day! Organized by the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS), World Vegetarian Day promotes awareness about the proven benefits of vegetarianism. Each year about one million people become vegetarians in the United States.

People choose to become vegetarians for many different reasons. Common motivations are ethical concerns, health concerns, and environmental concerns. Not eating meat saves animals from gruesome factory-farm conditions; reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer; and mitigates the environmental pollution of animal agriculture.

Join other vegetarians today at parties, potlucks, and food tastings in honor of World Vegetarian Day!