Signs proclaiming "Kick the habit!" at the Allen Street Gates encouraged students yesterday to cut meat out of their diet in honor of the Great American Meatout.

"We were handing out vegan food samples ... vegan gummy bears, animal crackers, and something similar to Rice Krispies Treats," said Jessica Parry, president of Alliance for Animal Rights.

The Great American Meatout, the world's largest grassroots diet education campaign, was started in 1985 by Alex Hershaft, president of the Farm Animal Reform Movement (FARM).

"There are about 1,000 of these events in communities in all 50 states," he said. Hershaft added that most events take place around March 20.

"It's a symbolic day because it's the first day of spring, a symbol of renewal and new growth," Hershaft said. "But we tell people that they can start [vegetarianism] anytime."

Terri Nelson-Bunge, founder of Humanity for Animals, hosted the education campaign in State College by distributing hundreds of flyers to anyone passing by, asking them to pledge their abstinence from meat for at least a day.

"I've been doing Humanity for Animals for about three or four years now," she said.

Parry added that at least 15 people signed pledges yesterday to abstain from meat for at least one day.

Nelson-Bunge, a vegan, said she also urges others to give up meat.

"I've been a vegetarian for over 20 years and a vegan for the past 10," she said. "It's not hard at all. I actually have endless amounts of energy now."

Michele Newhard, a Penn State food services program specialist, also advocates the vegetarian food options on the dining hall menus.

Newhard added that the growing vegetarian population has increased the demand for meatless menu options.

"The last non-scientific survey we conducted showed that about five percent of our population identifies with eating vegetarian or vegan food at least a majority of the week," she said.

Parry, a vegetarian since the age of four, decided to become a vegan when she graduated high school two and a half years ago.

"The food is good," she said. "Fake meats taste the same [as regular meats]."

Newhard added that some vegetarian entrees are popular amongst all students eating in the dining halls.

"There are some crossover favorites like the Italian Spiral Primavera that non-vegetarians also like," she said. "One of my personal favorites is the multi-grain pancake for breakfast."

Parry said that she avoids using products tested on animals.

"Paul Mitchell and Bath & Body Works products are all animal-friendly," she said, talking over shouts of "I love meat!" from a passerby.

Parry said the only type of resistance she's experienced during her campaigning are comments from passersby.

"You get that a lot at these [types of events]," Parry said.

Despite the outbursts, Parry and Nelson-Bunge said they will be protesting in front of the Bryce Jordan Center during the weekend of April 16 when the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus comes to State College.

Andrea Kurzweg (senior-broadcast journalism) said she will also be protesting the circus. "I've been a vegan for about a year and half to two years now ... I just don't think it's right for people to eat other creatures," Kurzweg said.