I hope everyone’s having a good week and finding some time to enjoy the warmer weather.

There’s lots happening in this edition, but I want to start by highlighting two important things: the federal election is this Monday, April 28, so if you haven’t voted yet and want to know where the parties stand on animal protection issues, be sure to check out Animal Justice’s helpful guide (linked below).

Also this weekend, the 3rd Annual Anti-Vivisection World Protest is happening on Saturday in Yorkville — a chance to stand up and speak out against animal testing and support cruelty-free alternatives.

For events this week there are some great options, from the Vegan Drinks social at Dosa Mahal to Taqueria Vegana’s limited-time pescadillas special.

I also want to say a big thank you for all the amazing referrals — I really appreciate everyone who’s been sharing this newsletter with friends.

Keep it going, it helps a ton and means a lot!

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Week of April 24 - 30:

News:

• Kinder World’s 3rd Annual Vegan Kids Summer Camp

  Kinder World Retreat and Rescue is hosting its third annual Vegan Kids Summer Camp, offering a supportive, nature-filled environment where vegan children can connect, play, and build community. The week-long camp focuses on helping kids feel seen and supported while fostering friendships and a deeper connection to the natural world. A few spots are still available, and parents are encouraged to reach out soon to secure a place.

  Email [email protected] for more info.

• The Toronto Star recently highlighted the vegan pho from Vit Beo as one of the city’s best budget-friendly meals under $15. Praised for its rich, aromatic broth made from roasted vegetables, kombu, and star anise — no beef bones required — the dish stands out not only for its flavour but also for its price point in a city where pho often runs closer to $20 a bowl. The Star notes that while takeout is an option, the pho is best enjoyed fresh at the counter-service spot on Bloor near Ossington, where the herbs and noodles keep their ideal texture.

• Canada heads to the polls this Monday, April 28, for the federal election. For voters who haven’t yet made their decision and are interested in where candidates stand on animal protection issues, Animal Justice has put together a helpful guide on party positions and animal-related policies. You can check out their election resource here: Vote for Animals in the Federal Election.

Events:

• Pescadillas Special at Taqueria Vegana
  📅 Date: Wednesday, April 24 to Saturday, April 27, 2025
  📍 Location: Taqueria Vegana (in-store and online)

  Taqueria Vegana is serving up a limited-time special inspired by the Mexican coast: vegan pescadillas made with crispy tortillas and filled with Vegan Saku Salmon from New School Foods. This plant-based twist on a seaside classic is available for four days only, with a portion of sales going to Farmhouse Garden Animal Home. I’ll be heading there on Saturday, see you there?

• Vegan Drinks: Spring Spice Edition

  📅 Date: Friday, April 25, 2025

  🕒 Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

  📍 Location: Dosa Mahal, 9 Roncesvalles Avenue

  This month’s Vegan Drinks social is heading to Dosa Mahal for an evening of great conversation and South Asian vegan fare. Held on the last Friday of each month, the event is open to everyone—vegans, vegetarians, and the veg-curious alike. While there’s no cover charge, attendees are encouraged to support the venue by purchasing food or drinks (note: this is a dry event). Expect a casual, welcoming vibe, name tags to make mingling easy, and plenty of gluten-free dosas, pakoras, and plant-based dishes to enjoy.

• The Conscious Coffee Party

  📅 Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025

  🕒 Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

  📍 Location: Centre for Social Innovation – Spadina, 192 Spadina Avenue

  🎟️ Tickets: $25

  A casual daytime social focused on sustainable, low-waste, and plant-based living. Expect free coffee, tea, and vegan bites, plus music, dancing, and a chance to connect with like-minded people. Bringing your own cup is encouraged.

Activism:

• 🚶‍♀️ 3rd Annual Anti-Vivisection World Protest

  📅 Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025

  🕒 Time: 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM

  📍 Location: Village of Yorkville Park, 115 Cumberland St.

  🔗 Event details: Facebook Event Page

  Join this annual walk to raise awareness about animal testing and vivisection. The event aims to educate and advocate for cruelty-free alternatives while fostering a compassionate community.

💚 Something I Want to Share…

For a little while now I’ve been working on a side project that I’ll be telling you more about in the coming editions. It’s focused on making it easier to find vegan products, brands, and deals all in one place and I’m very excited about it.

While I’m putting the finishing touches on it, I thought I’d start sharing a product each week that I think is worth checking out.

This week’s pick: Canadian Protein
I’ve been weight training for several months now and recently increased my protein intake — this week I picked up two 2kg bags of the vanilla vegan protein from Canadian Protein for $135 total, taxes included, with free shipping. $34/kg is by far the cheapest option I’ve found, the taste is decent, and I like that it’s a clean, simple blend that helps me easily hit my protein goals.

Canadian Protein is an Ontario-based company known for affordable, no-frills supplements with transparent sourcing and quality ingredients. Their vegan protein is a straightforward, plant-based option with no unnecessary fillers, making it an easy choice if you’re looking for value and effectiveness.

*If you decide to purchase this product I do receive a commission which helps support this newsletter and is very much appreciated 🙏🌱

World Vegan News:

• Jell-O Launches First-Ever Vegan Product: Oat Milk Chocolate Pudding

  Legacy dessert brand Jell-O has introduced its first vegan offering with the launch of Oat Milk Chocolate Pudding—marking both Jell-O’s and parent company Kraft Heinz’s entry into the growing plant-based dessert market. Made without gelatin or dairy, the new pudding aims to bring the brand’s signature creamy texture to the dairy-free aisle, targeting the rising demand for allergen-friendly and plant-based treats. The product is currently rolling out in the U.S. in four-packs priced at $3.99, though there has been no confirmation yet on availability in Canada.

In the Near Future:

*(more info will come closer to the dates)

• Planted Expo Toronto 2025: Canada's Largest Plant-Based Event

  📅 Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025, 10:00 AM

  📍 Location: Enercare Centre, Toronto

  🎟️ : Planted Expo Tickets

  Planted Expo Toronto is confirmed for May 10, 2025. Note: There will be no BC edition this year. Discover over 200 plant-based, vegan, and sustainable exhibitors, brands, and services at this family-friendly event. Hear from insightful speakers and explore a variety of products and services.

  Please note: Clicking the link above supports us with a small commission, which helps fund our work.

• Focaccia Bread Art Class
  📅 Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025
  🕒 Time: 1 PM to 4 PM
  📍 Location: Wishbone AR Lab - 600 Bay St Suite 308
  More info: Here
  Learn how to create your own quick-rise, medium tray-sized focaccia bread masterpiece at this hands-on vegan bread art class led by Czarina. The cost is $55 per person, and participants are asked to bring their own baking tray.

• Plant-Based Toronto TTC Ad Campaign Launch Party

  📅 Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025

  📍 Location: The Redwood Theatre, 1300 Gerrard Street East,

  ⏰ Time: 7:00 PM – 2:00 AM

  🎟️ Tickets: Eventbrite (Early bird discount until May 18, only 25 EB tickets left)

  🌱 This event celebrates the launch of the Plant-Based Toronto ad campaign, which will run across Toronto’s two main TTC subway lines throughout June. The campaign features 22 local leaders from the food industry and non-profit sector advocating for a more plant-based Toronto.

  The launch party will bring together members of the plant-based community, including foodies, creators, and influencers.

• 2025 Toronto Animal Rights March

  📅 Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 12:00 PM

  📍 Location: Queen’s Park.

  🔗 Event link

  The annual Toronto Animal Rights March returns this July as part of a global movement demanding justice and legal protection for animals. Organized by local activist groups including No Low – Plant Powered, the event invites participants to unite in solidarity for animal liberation. Full details to be announced—participants are encouraged to save the date and invite others.

• Vegandale Toronto 2025

  📅 Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025

  📍 Location: Woodbine Park

  🎟️ Tickets available: Here ($$ increase after today)

  Vegandale returns to Toronto for another full day of food, music, art, and ethical consumerism—all 100% vegan. While specific vendors and performers have yet to be announced, past events have featured global plant-based brands, bold branding, and an unapologetically vegan atmosphere.

• VegTO Fest 2025

  📅 Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025 (11:00 AM – 7:00 PM) & Sunday, September 21, 2025 (11:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

  📍 Location: Nathan Phillips Square.

  🎟️ Free admission

  🌱 VegTO Fest announced it will return for its 40th anniversary with the theme Eat. Innovate. Transform. Expect two full days of plant-based food vendors, guest speakers, and community-driven experiences focused on the future of sustainable and compassionate living. More details to come closer to the date.
  

Do you have a business or event that you think should be listed? Email us at [email protected] to submit a request.