Beyond the Plate, Toward the People!

Founded by psychologist, cook and educator Vanessa Sossa Sanchez, Alegría Vegana is a collective reclamation of joy. Alegria Vegana is a community-led educational project dedicated to the intersection of cultural tradition, nutrition justice, and lifestyle medicine.

The goal is to move beyond the individualistic "wellness" trend to embrace a community-based approach. Through workshops, nutrition and cooking classes, community circles and shared dialogues, we create safe spaces to question modern systems of consumption and rediscover the power of compassion.

About Vanessa

What do we do

Focusing on the shift from individual to collective.

Beyond the Plate, Toward the People. The modern world often treats health and sustainability as individual burdens. At Alegría Vegana, we shift the focus back to the collective. We don’t just talk about what we eat; we question the systems that dictate our choices.

We create safe spaces—through workshops, cooking circles, and community programs—to unlearn the habits of a disconnected world. Here, we explore how our traditions, our health, and our social responsibility intersect to create a lifestyle that heals rather than harms.

The Three Pillars of Alegría

Social Connection and Community

Within the framework of Lifestyle Medicine, we recognize that social relationships are the single most important predictor of health and resilience. We do not heal in isolation. Alegría Vegana creates safe, intentional spaces where we can question modern systems together. By prioritizing community-led programs and shared dialogue, we rebuild the social fabric needed to sustain a compassionate life.

Nutritional Justice and Social Responsibility

We believe that what we put on our plates is a reflection of our values. Our focus on plant-based nutrition is not about individual "purity," but about the intersection of Social and Animal Justice. We explore how our food choices can honor the dignity of all living beings and challenge the systemic structures that separate us from the sources of our nourishment.

Food Systems and Cultural Humility

A shift toward a more compassionate lifestyle must be rooted in our heritages. We practice cultural humility by honoring the diverse ancestral traditions that have lived in harmony with the Earth for generations. We don't aim to "invent" new ways of living; we work to reclaim the plant-based foundations of our cultures with respect, nuance, and a commitment to deep listening.

A Space for Everyone.

Whether you are looking to deepen your community roots, understand the science of plant-based nutrition, or explore food traditions, there is a place for you here. We don't aim for perfection; we aim for collective growth.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

“Vanessa, also known as Alegria Vegana, has been delighting attendees at events hosted by Barrio Collective with her cruelty-free cuisine. She has treated our neighborhood to a delectable array of vegan pastries, skillfully recreating Colombian classics with plant-based ingredients. Through her culinary creations, Vanessa actively advocates for the rights of animals and emphasizes the importance of good nutrition in relation to physical and mental health."

Barrio collective
"I'm grateful to find a teacher that loves what she does. I loved to learn in a dynamic way with hands on practice in a very welcoming environment."

Susana Velez
"I loved the class, I was able to learn and solve all the standing questions I had. It was very hand on and easy to follow. Loved the snacks and the tips. Thank you for creating spaces like this✨🤘Barriga llena corazón contento🙏"

Diana Hernandez
"Vanessa’s workshops offer a delicious mixture of nutrition education, community mental health, and accessible cooking techniques! She is highly knowledgeable and meets people where they are to sprinkle healthier practices into their own lives."

Gianna Plum, Climate Café Member - New York Chapter
"Thank you for a great class! I had so much fun learning how to make pizza dough from scratch as well as a salad and dessert. I love that Vanessa tried to be mindful of the environment throughout the class (and her life) by composting, not using harsh cleanings or synthetic products in her home and not using any single use plastic/paper during the class. The backyard was a beautiful place to cook pizza as well as relax after the class to eat together and enjoy them! I’m looking forward to taking more classes in the future"

Lisa Distasi
"La clase de cocina vegana con Vanesa fue una revelación. En un ambiente íntimo y personalizado, aprendí a manejar el cuchillo con confianza y descubrí algunos secretos de la cocina vegana. Cada corte para lograr un plato fue un aprendizaje valioso. Al final, degustamos lo que preparamos, y fue simplemente delicioso. ¡Una experiencia culinaria que recomiendo a tod@s!"

Ana María Pedraza
“We loved the pizza class! The toppings (particularly the truffle mushrooms) were to die for - fresh, excellent, if unexpected combinations with the pizza itself. The value of the class; the easy to follow recipes; and the kind teachings of Vanessa are absolutely worth it.”

Indira Rambarran
"Vanessa is a creative and efficient personal chef! She skillfully created menus using what we had available in our kitchen from week to week and left us with a fridge full of delicious meals for our family."

Lianna Levine Reisner
"Vanessa was a generous and enthusiastic cooking instructor who quickly created a warm and open class atmosphere. I learned more than I expected and ate more than I expected too. Feel encouraged in eating with your values."

Rachel S.

LET’S CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM!

Beyond the Plate, Toward the People!

What do we do

The Three Pillars of Alegría

Social Connection and Community

Nutritional Justice and Social Responsibility

Food Systems and Cultural Humility

A Space for Everyone.

Whether you are looking to deepen your community roots, understand the science of plant-based nutrition, or explore food traditions, there is a place for you here. We don't aim for perfection; we aim for collective growth.

"I'm grateful to find a teacher that loves what she does. I loved to learn in a dynamic way with hands on practice in a very welcoming environment."

"I loved the class, I was able to learn and solve all the standing questions I had. It was very hand on and easy to follow. Loved the snacks and the tips. Thank you for creating spaces like this✨🤘Barriga llena corazón contento🙏"

"Vanessa’s workshops offer a delicious mixture of nutrition education, community mental health, and accessible cooking techniques! She is highly knowledgeable and meets people where they are to sprinkle healthier practices into their own lives."

“We loved the pizza class! The toppings (particularly the truffle mushrooms) were to die for - fresh, excellent, if unexpected combinations with the pizza itself. The value of the class; the easy to follow recipes; and the kind teachings of Vanessa are absolutely worth it.”

"Vanessa is a creative and efficient personal chef! She skillfully created menus using what we had available in our kitchen from week to week and left us with a fridge full of delicious meals for our family."

"Vanessa was a generous and enthusiastic cooking instructor who quickly created a warm and open class atmosphere. I learned more than I expected and ate more than I expected too. Feel encouraged in eating with your values."

LET’S CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM!