Festival planned as Krishna Lunch at UF turns 50 on Thursday

Amid the days of bell-bottoms, protests against the Vietnam War, and the civil rights movement, a musical, appetizing, and spiritual tradition has established itself at the University of Florida’s Plaza of the Americas.

Krishna Lunch began on July 29, 1971 when the founder of Hare Krishna, AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, was visiting Gainesville and the university. He spoke on the square and inspired his followers to begin the practice, according to press releases for the anniversary celebration.

Since then, vegetarian meals have been offered at UF without interruption, and over three million generations of hungry college students have been served since the founder’s visit.

Thursday marks the 50th anniversary of Krishna lunch in the UF, and the local Hare Krishna congregation celebrates with three feast days open to everyone.

The festival kicks off Thursday morning in the Plaza of the Americas with a series of speakers and breakfast.

UF President Kent Fuchs and Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe were invited to speak at around 8 a.m., said Kalakantha Das, a chaplain who previously helped lead Krishna Lunch. There is also a live virtual discussion of the history of Krishna Lunch Thursday night, which can be viewed on the Krishna House Facebook page.

On Friday afternoon, from 3 to 7 a.m., the celebration is to continue with an open house, guided tours and buffet at the Bhaktivedanta Institute, 224 NE 10th Avenue. The institute is the scientific branch of the Hare Krishna movement.

And on Saturday morning from 7.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m., the people at Krishna House, 214 NW 14th St., are invited to another round of speakers, breakfast and the groundbreaking ceremony for the house’s new kitchen.

“Coming at this point is a major milestone for the Krishna church in Alachua County,” said Das. “Our greatest hope is that people will have the opportunity to attend the celebration … there are so many people who have enjoyed Krishna Lunch over the years but do not know anything about it.”

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) claims around one million followers worldwide. His followers follow a strict diet without meat and eggs, do not drink alcohol, do not use drugs or smoke, avoid gambling, and do not practice sex outside the confines of marriage. Locally, devotees often gather at the intersection of Northwest 13th Street and University Avenue to sing and chant on Friday nights, and the religious group has a temple and large farm outside of Alachua.

That said, Krishna Lunch has several significant components. Of course there is the karma-free food, always vegetarian and sometimes vegan, which is served by volunteers on site. The menu changes daily and can be found online at krishnalunch.com, but usually consists of a fresh salad, a starter, a side dish and a dessert.

While meals are being distributed, there is also kirtan, a musical meditation where Hare Krishna members chant and chant the name of God, he said. And the lunches are environmentally friendly and, in particular, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions of carbon dioxide by being vegetarian and vegan and using plates, cups and forks that are 100% compostable.

A $ 5 donation is suggested but no one will be turned away if unable to pay, he said. Meals were free until the 1980s, and an average of 50 cents in donations were solicited in the 1990s, rising to $ 4 in 2008.

For five decades, Krishna Lunch has not only thrived on the UF campus, but has also expanded outward to reach the Gainesville community beyond the students, Das said. Meals are also served every weekday for the local homeless community and people in the Alachua County work permit program, according to the website.

And during the COVID-19 pandemic, Krishna Lunch was expanded to include meals for doctors, nurses and support staff across north central Florida, as well as people affected by the pandemic, said Krishna House president Sagar Kumar.

“I’m really excited because something that goes on for 50 years means a lot of people have been involved. It’s nice to do something to recognize them,” said Kumar.

Armando Santamaria, a junior studying plant science, was among the UF students who enjoyed Krishna lunch on the UF campus the Tuesday before the celebration.

Santamaria said he had Krishna lunches three times a week and that he didn’t know it had been around for five decades.

“That’s pretty crazy,” he said. “It’s just proof of good food and the good people who serve it.”

Vaasuki Marupaka, a PhD student in Soil and Water Sciences, and Sara Pace, a senior in cultural anthropology and women’s studies, also expressed their appreciation for the tradition.

“I love this place because it offers me vegetarian food on campus,” said Marupaka.

Pace added, “There’s something cool and charming about UF.”

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