Why Whole Food Plant-Based?

Science has revealed what many cultures have known for millennia: plants have extraordinary power to heal, sustain, and nourish us. A whole foods plant-based diet focuses on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds while minimizing or eliminating animal products and processed foods.

The evidence is clear and compelling. This way of eating not only transforms personal health but also addresses some of our planet's most pressing challenges, from climate change to resource depletion, while honoring the lives of billions of sentient beings.

The shift to plant-based eating is one of the most powerful choices you can make for your health, the environment, and animals. Start where you are, experiment with new recipes, and connect with the growing community of people embracing this compassionate, sustainable way of living.

About Us

History

Our history started in 2021 with the formation of a small plant based potluck gathering in the basement of the local library. We called it Plant Centered Thriving in Cville. We have met every month since. We've gathered with delicious plant-based food and friends to learn the science facts about the impact of food on our health & our planet. The beginning & end of 2022 brought two science backed certifications; with one as a Food for Life instructor with the Physician’s Committee. Spreading the good news about plant-based nutrition has been the plan from the get-go. Cville’s ‘vegucation’ has been ongoing at Belvedere since 2023. In 2024 we brought the Cville Veg Fest back and celebrated at IX Park. Then more community awareness with the Let’s Beat Breast Cancer rally in 2025, all under the expanding umbrella of Cville Veg Ed. That’s our history but we invite you to join us into our future. Glad you’re here!

Mission

The aim of Cville Veg Ed (CVE) is to deliver science-backed education for a more sustainable community. As we all know, knowledge is power and sustainable living starts with knowledge. CVE is the umbrella term for various educational classes, rallies, How-To festivals, health fairs, vegan potlucks and gatherings of all sorts in the Charlottesville area, arranged by Clint and Mary Sherrill.

This is about letting folks know about reversing the diseases that we have put up with for decades. Sustainable, research-driven classes to help you thrive. In the same way we can simultaneously make an immediate impact on the travesty of climate change on our precious (and only) Earth home. Weekly, monthly and annual events are offered either free (or frugally) through the combined efforts of Physcians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM.org) and Clint & Mary Sherrill. (CvilleVegEd.org) We'd love to meet you. Please keep in touch.

After homeschooling their two kids for a dozen years, Mary & Clint have pivoted to teaching lots more in Charlottesville. As a teacher and a nurse, it just made sense to help the community in health education. We all know (or have experienced), that it is indeed, ‘cheaper to prevent the disease than it is to treat the disease’. The Sherrills felt that they needed to get people the real facts! Check NutritionFacts.org. They can be found up at The Center at Belvedere, at a few local churches, or community centers and libraries giving free (or frugal) Food for Life classes. The planet doesn’t get harmed with a WFPB diet. Your heart, blood vessels and brain also improve with plant based choices. Of course, no animals needlessly suffer or are cruelly killed when you make the compassionate choice for breakfast, lunch and dinner! We have a lot of work to do & invite you to join us whenever you can. Check out the calendar at CvilleVegEd.org.

Organizer/Founders