Manda Rose, The VegPanda

Manda Rose, The VegPanda

 

Why "The VegPanda?" Manda Panda has been my nickname for years, and veggies are basically my love language! For me, living and promoting a plant-based lifestyle is about so much more than food. It's about compassion for animals, striving to do a little better than I did yesterday, questioning the status quo, and doing my part to leave the world a little better than we found it.

 

For the past 15+ years, I've been helping grow the vegan community throughout Central, MA and New England. I've organized vegan potlucks & holiday gatherings, animal advocacy fundraisers, vendor markets, and community events that brought people together around delicious veg food and shared values. I've coached one-on-one, created vegan guides, connected people with local resources, built and moderated vegan social groups, promoted independent vegan restaurants, and spent years answering the same questions almost every new vegan asks.

 

One of my biggest community projects was helping build one of the largest vegan festivals in New England. I started out as a volunteer & Co-Founder, and eventually stepped into the role of Executive Director, growing the festival into an annual event that brought thousands together around vegan food, advocacy, and community.

 

Before The VegPanda, I worked as a photographer and content creator, collaborating with small startups to create compelling content and help grow their brands. Although I take more photos with my phone than a camera these days, I still love telling stories through food. Over the years, I've developed my own recipes, recreated and shared recipes from others, photographed my home-cooked meals as well as dishes from local restaurants, and loved introducing people to hidden vegan gems they might never have discovered otherwise.

​

As a mom and a proud tribal member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah, I’m deeply aware that the choices we make today shape the world our children will inherit. It has made me more intentional about questioning the systems we grow up with and considering the impact of our everyday decisions. Respecting the land, reducing harm, and honoring what our ancestors entrusted to us are values I carry every day, and they inspire my commitment to helping build a kinder, more sustainable world for the next generation.

 

I've spent years helping people figure out vegan living in the real world, without guilt, perfection, or impossible standards. You'll get honest advice, practical support, and someone who's probably already dealt with whatever challenge you're facing. No gatekeeping. No perfection. No preachy nonsense. Just good food, community, respect for the Earth, and a refusal to settle for "because that's how it's always been." 

​