PHOTO BY SCATTERED PICTURES

If you’re in the mood for plant-based food, go to Pittsburgh VegFair this Saturday. Consider it an appetizer before the main course that is August’s Pittsburgh VegFest.

On May 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., vendors and vegheads will gather at an indoor and outdoor space at Rockwell Park in North Point Breeze. The 24-acre mixed use development is across the street from event sponsor East End Food Co-op.

Since VegFest is now in its 10th year, organizers wanted to give people a taste of what’ll be sprouting up at the big anniversary bash on Aug. 10 at Allegheny Commons Park, the historic North Side green space that just got an upgrade. Between 8,000 to 10,000 people are expected to attend.

Although the free fair is a scaled-down version of the free fest, there will be differences. Most notably, there’ll be a place to plant yourself. Along with live entertainment, skateboarding demos, games and activities for kids and adults, there will be seating areas where folks can enjoy their farm-grown grub. No pets other than service animals are allowed at the event, so get a doggie bag.

The vendor area will include 75 wellness advocates, nonprofit organizations and local veggie-forward eateries such as ShadoBeni, Pitaland and Moodz Co., a vegan place that recently opened at 2210 E. Carson St. on the South Side. This is not to be confused with Pilez, the new Oakland take-out joint that, although tasty, is pretty much the opposite of good-for-you food.

MOODZ CO. IS OPEN ON THE SOUTH SIDE | PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

I swung by Moodz on Monday and it really did lift my spirits. There are hammock seats at a table in the back and the colorful Smiley face decor reminds me of my fifth-grade Trapper Keeper. I’m still warming up to vegan food, but I enjoyed a Buffalo CHKN Sandwich with an oyster mushroom masquerading as the poultry. It looks like a deep-fried bird, even when you slice it, but the consistency is much mushier. My mouth was confused, but that didn’t stop me from devouring my lunch in less than a minute.

BUFFALO CHKN SANDWICH AT MOODZ CO. | PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

Leila Sleiman, who founded VegFest in 2015 with friend and fellow animal advocate Natalie Fristick, says most attendees are like me: carnivores who are curious about the herbivore diet. Although several vegan spots have closed in the past few years, there’s still a lot of great food out there.

VegFair and VegFest help businesses and customers connect over plant-based goodies.

“Just come out and enjoy the day,” Sleiman says. “Eat something you’ve never tried before.”