Hey Everyone 👋

A heads-up before we get into this week’s roundup—I'll be away and, since this is a one-person operation, there won’t be a newsletter for the next two weeks. I’ll be back in your inbox on June 19th!

In the meantime, there’s a lot happening in the city. This edition includes some great food collabs (Haru’s vegan danish at Bad Attitude Bread sounds wild), a summer market kickoff, and a couple of solid meetups if you're looking to connect.

Also, heads up that Taqueria Vegana is turning one next weekend—keep an eye on their Instagram for celebration details.

Plus, in the world of vegan seafood, Toronto’s own New School Foods just landed a big funding round to push its plant-based salmon nationwide.

I wish you all a great couple of weeks and see you again very soon!

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May 29 - June 18:

News:

• As Canadian sentiment turns away from American products amid political tensions and a growing trade war, Toronto-based startup New School Foods is tapping into a wave of economic nationalism and environmental urgency with its Canadian-made, plant-based salmon. The company, led by founder Chris Bryson, is rapidly expanding across the country, having signed agreements with over 30 restaurants and distribution deals with Gordon Food Service and Bondi Produce. Its proprietary production method, using directional freezing and a plant-based scaffolding system, allows the vegan salmon to mimic the texture and behaviour of real fish without denaturing proteins—a key difference from traditional extrusion techniques. This technology, scalable and adaptable for other proteins, supports both retail and white-label potential. Amid rising salmon prices, climate-driven supply issues, and Canada’s looming ban on open-net salmon farms, New School Foods is positioning itself as both a sustainable and patriotic alternative. Despite slow growth in the vegan seafood category, Bryson remains optimistic that quality innovations will close the gap between customer expectations and market offerings. The company recently raised $6M in funding and plans to focus on building credibility through chef-led restaurant adoption before entering retail.

• Taqueria Vegana is celebrating its first anniversary on June 8. Specific details about the anniversary celebration haven't been announced yet but be sure to check out their instagram page for more info.

Events:

• Vegan Drinks – May Edition
  📅 Date: Friday, May 30, 2025
  🕒 Time: 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
  📍 Location: La Vegan Ethiopian & Eritrean Vegan Cuisine, 1450 Danforth Avenue

  This monthly social event invites anyone—vegan or not—to enjoy great conversation, community, and 100% vegan food and drinks at a rotating lineup of local restaurants. For May, the gathering takes place at La Vegan, known for its Ethiopian cuisine. There's no cover charge, but attendees are encouraged to support the venue by ordering food or drinks. Expect name tags, relaxed conversation, and a welcoming space to connect with others over shared values or just a good meal.

• Haru's Vegan Danish Collab at Bad Attitude Bread
  📅 Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025
  🕒 Time: From 11:00 AM until sold out
  📍 Location: Bad Attitude Bread

  Bad Attitude Bread is hosting Haru’s Cuisine for a one-day vegan pastry collaboration. The special danish features Haru’s creamy vegan baked cheesecake, housemade wild blueberry compote, whipped cream, fresh farmers’ market berries, and crushed pistachios—all stacked into a flaky, indulgent treat. Haru will be in shop for the event. Danishes are available starting at 11:00 AM and will be sold until they’re gone.

• Harbourfront Night Market
  📅 Date: Saturdays, May 31 to July 26, 2025
  🕒 Time: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
  📍 Location: The Commons at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
  🎟️ Tickets: Free admission; food and drink tickets available on-site for $10 or less

  This weekly summer market brings late-night energy to the waterfront with indie food vendors, creative eats under $10, and live DJ sets. Visitors can expect a range of options including vegan and vegetarian dishes, gourmet tacos, artisanal burgers, desserts, and craft drinks. The event is open to all ages, wheelchair accessible, and easily reached by public transit.

• Pocket Change Eco Fun Fair
  📅 Date: Sunday, June 1, 2025
  🕒 Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  📍 Location: Phin Park (The Pocket, east Danforth)

  The 2025 Pocket Change Eco Fun Fair returns to Phin Park with a strong emphasis on sustainability, community, and family-friendly fun. Vegan highlights this year include a fully plant-based BBQ and concessions, along with plant-based cookie tastings available while supplies last. VegTO will be among the eco exhibitors, offering information and resources on vegan living. The event also features talks on green living, kids’ activities, e-bike demos, a massive clothing swap, and more. Admission is free and all are welcome.

• Do West Fest 2025
  📅 Dates: Friday, June 6 (6 PM)– Sunday, June 8 (6 PM)
  📍 Location: Dundas Street West (Shaw St to Lansdowne Ave)
  🎟️ Admission: Free

  Toronto’s annual Do West Fest returns to Little Portugal this June, spanning 16 blocks of music, art, and food. While not exclusively vegan, the festival includes plant-based offerings. Notably, Good Rebel will be serving their vegan BBQ chicken legs this year. Additional vegan options may be available; attendees are encouraged to inquire directly with vendors.

  For more details, visit the Do West Fest official website

• 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)
  🌱 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.

• TO Veggie Meetup Lunch at Saigon Lotus
  📅 Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025
  🕒 Time: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
  📍 Location: Saigon Lotus Vietnamese Restaurant, 687 Yonge Street

  Join the TO Veggie Meetup group for a relaxed lunch at Saigon Lotus, a fully vegan Vietnamese spot known for its welcoming atmosphere and sunlit dining room. After the meal, attendees are invited to walk over to Indigo to enjoy some casual piano playing. RSVP is encouraged via the group's Meetup page, and participants are asked to sign up only if they’re sure they can attend.

• The Wedding Party: A Dinner Theatre Escape Room
  📅 Dates: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 – Thursday, September 25, 2025
  🕒 Time: Fridays to Sundays, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
  📍 Location: Old Mill Toronto, 21 Old Mill Road
  🎟️ Tickets: $139 per person or $749 for a table of six; VIP upgrade available for $45

  This immersive experience combines live theatre, interactive puzzles, and a three-course dinner (with vegan options) in a historic venue. Guests become part of the story, interacting with characters like the bride and groom to unravel a mystery during the wedding reception. The event features over eight live actors and accommodates teams of up to six, with a total capacity of 96 guests per evening. The VIP package includes preferred seating, a welcome drink, complimentary parking, and exclusive merchandise.

Activism:

• National Animal Rights Day 2025 – Toronto
  📅 Date: Sunday, June 1, 2025
  🕒 Time: 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
  📍 Location: Toronto Public Labyrinth at Trinity Square

  Now in its 15th year, National Animal Rights Day (NARD) returns with a memorial ceremony honouring the billions of animals who die annually due to human activity, followed by a celebration of progress in animal rights and advocacy. The event blends solemn reflection with hope for a more compassionate future. Attendees are encouraged to check thenard.org or @nationalanimalrightsday for updates.

World Vegan News:

• Nutella is launching its first-ever vegan flavour in the U.S. with Nutella Peanut, set to debut in spring 2026. This marks a major shift for the legacy brand, which has long relied on dairy in its signature cocoa-hazelnut spread. Nutella Peanut skips the milk powder and instead blends sugar, peanuts, cocoa, hazelnuts, and plant-based ingredients—making it fully dairy-free and suitable for vegans. While Ferrero isn’t officially labelling it as vegan, the ingredient list contains no animal products. The move follows years of consumer demand for a vegan Nutella and mirrors similar launches in Europe, where a plant-based version of the original Nutella rolled out in 2024. With this release, Nutella is finally entering the vegan market on a large scale, offering a smooth, nutty alternative for plant-based eaters who’ve been waiting for a dairy-free version of the beloved spread.

In the Near Future:

*(more info will come closer to the dates)

• Plant-Based Wine & Food Experience at Stratus Vineyards
  📅 Date: Sunday, June 22, 2025
  🕒 Time: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
  📍 Location: Stratus Vineyards, 2059 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
  🎟️ Tickets: $150 per person

  Hosted by Priya Rao (The Social Herbivore), this curated event features vegan-friendly wines from Stratus Vineyards paired with plant-based dishes by Lauren Toyota of Hot for Food. Guests will enjoy a guided tasting, a stroll through the winery and vineyard, and learn about Stratus’ environmental initiatives. The afternoon wraps up with a plant-based grazing station including cheeses and sweet treats, plus time to mingle with Priya, Lauren, and fellow guests.

  Note: Although the event is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, not Toronto, it may interest readers open to short travel for unique vegan experiences.

• 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.

• Toronto Black Vegan Festival
  📅 Date: Sunday, August 3, 2025
  🕒 Time: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  📍 Location: STACKT Market, 28 Bathurst Street
  🎟️ Admission: Free

  Organized by Black Vegans of Toronto, this annual festival is a celebration of plant-based living through a Black cultural lens. The event features a diverse lineup of Black-owned vegan food vendors, offering dishes inspired by African and Caribbean traditions. Attendees can also explore a variety of plant-based products, including skincare, wellness items, and fresh produce from Black farmers. The festival aims to promote health, sustainability, and community empowerment within the Black community.

• 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.
  

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