Posted on
September 11, 2026 by
The VRG Blog Editor
By Alexandra Holzinger, VRG UMD Intern
Through my internship with The Vegetarian Resource Group, I’ve learned a lot about vegan nutrition, current challenges within the vegan community, and what vegan values mean beyond food. More importantly, this experience broadened my perspective on how nutrition, policy, advocacy, and ethics intersect. As someone interested in nutrition and public health, I found it rewarding to explore veganism from so many different angles.
With my past experiences in college nutrition courses, I appreciated the depth and specificity that the VRG was able to provide. Through scientific articles, educational resources, and conversations with Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, I expanded my understanding of vegan nutrition beyond the basics. While I already had a foundation in nutrition, learning about the health implications of vegan diets, reviewing sample meal plans and recipes, and studying important micronutrients gave me a much more comprehensive understanding of how to maintain a healthy vegan diet.
One of the most enjoyable parts of my internship was trying vegan foods and restaurants that I never would have tried otherwise. I reviewed a vegan boxed macaroni and cheese that, to my surprise, tasted even better than the version I grew up eating. Alongside the other VRG intern, Emily, I visited two vegan restaurants and tried a delicious breakfast sandwich and a flavorful, fresh falafel platter. As someone who loves trying new foods, I appreciate how each vegan dish seems to balance creativity, flavor, and freshness.
After learning more about vegan meals and trying them myself, I worked with Dr. Mangels and Emily on a policy project about emerging legislation surrounding ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in school meals. Our research focused on the different definitions that states formed for UPFs and how these definitions affect vegan staples such as plant milks, fortified foods, and plant-based meat alternatives. I was surprised to learn that many states defined these staples as ultra-processed, which would mean that they would be excluded from school meal programs. This project made me realize how complex nutrition policy can be and how important it is to advocate for diverse dietary needs.
Attending the Taking Action for Animals conference in Washington, D.C., further expanded my understanding of the relationship between advocacy, policy, and inclusion. Hearing from attorneys and advocates about how legislative language can lead to exclusion of certain groups helped me connect the concepts of my policy project. It became clear that precise language matters, particularly when laws affect nutrition and food access. I also enjoyed hearing from animal rights organizations about their missions and ongoing work. Listening to so many passionate advocates gave me a greater appreciation for the ethical motivations behind veganism and the different ways people contribute to positive change for both animals and society.
In addition to learning about the intersection between veganism and animal rights, I also gained a new appreciation for how vegan values can support underserved communities through my experience shadowing Crystal Forman, MPH, MHA. Crystal teaches vegan cooking classes and basic nutrition education to formerly homeless men through Christopher Place. Observing one of her classes was one of the most meaningful experiences of my internship, and I learned a lot about how to present nutrition education in ways that are practical, culturally considerate, and accessible. I was especially inspired by her ability to create an engaging and educational environment for historically underserved individuals.
Looking back on my internship, I am grateful for the wide variety of experiences I had through The Vegetarian Resource Group. From exploring vegan nutrition and tasting new foods to researching policy and learning from advocates, every project helped me see veganism from a different perspective. I leave this internship with a stronger understanding of the scientific, ethical, and social implications of veganism, as well as an expanded perspective in public policy and advocacy. I am thankful for everything I learned and for the opportunity to contribute to an organization whose work has such a meaningful impact.
For more information about VRG internships, see: https://www.vrg.org/student/
To support The Vegetarian Resource Group outreach to young people, join at www.vrg.org/member/cabdacae.php or donate at www.vrg.org/donate
