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Hill Staffers Add Star Power to Upcoming Vegetarian Luncheon

Actress Marilu Henner and “Veganist” author Kathy Freston will share their thoughts on healthier eating with the Congressional Vegetarian Staff Association at an intimate luncheon scheduled for Oct. 2.

House staffer Adam Sarvana told HOH the eco-conscious celebs — who were already coming into town to discuss dietary guidelines with the Agriculture Department — agreed to break bread with congressional aides who also favor a meat-free lifestyle.

Henner, best known for her role as Elaine O’Connor-Nardo on the classic sitcom “Taxi” but also for movies such as “L.A. Story,” has of late extolled health makeovers and dispensed advice on how to improve memory. Freston is one of the vegan movement’s rock stars, with New York Times best-selling books on the subject and regular appearances on television shows such as “Ellen” and “The View.”

Those interested in attending the luncheon, which is set to take place at noon on Oct. 2 at Rayburn 2456, must RSVP to Sarvana directly (Adam.Sarvana@mail.house.gov) to claim a seat. He suggested the event would likely be limited to the first 50 respondents.

Sisu Kind Food is expected to deliver vegetarian-friendly lunchboxes — green meals containing Southwestern salad (greens, black beans, hearts of palm, tomatoes, roasted pepitas) with creamy chipotle ranch dressing, Mexican rice threaded with cilantro, corn and red peppers, cornbread and organic cookies prepared by Pipernilli — to attendees.

Sarvana said the group continues to reach out to Restaurant Associates, the contractor in charge of congressional dining, about building vegetarian options into more menus but said it’s been rough going. He said he last heard from the New York-based catering outfit on Aug. 27; they made tentative plans to talk tofurkey on Sept. 13, and he was subsequently informed that they needed to reschedule.

Sarvana hasn’t heard a peep since.

“At this point the ball is in their court,” he said.

Correction: 6:52 p.m.:

An earlier version of this post misspelled the name of Adam Sarvana.

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