Hello again! I hope you’ve had a good couple of weeks since I last landed in your inbox.

It’s nice to finally have some real summer weather, and I’m looking forward to what the season brings.

This week’s Insider has some notable news and events—Jennifer Coburn was featured in the MICHELIN Guide, there’s disappointing news about the long-delayed Odd Burger location on Broadview, and Beyond Meat’s CEO shared thoughts on cleaning up the plant-based protein space.

You’ll also find three events happening this weekend and early next week, including a Japanese vegan pop-up and a community trail walk in Scarborough. Plus, there’s an important rally as Animal Justice heads back to court over Ontario’s ag gag law.

Green Zebra delivers fully vegan, ready-to-eat meals across the GTA, with new menus every week. Meals arrive fresh, never frozen, and are made with whole food ingredients—no shortcuts. It's a convenient option if you're looking to eat plant-based without the prep.

Week of June 19 - 25:

News:

• Jennifer Coburn, the Rexdale-born owner of Gia and Stefano’s Diner, was recently profiled in the MICHELIN Guide’s “My Toronto” series, where she celebrated the city’s inclusivity, creativity, and dynamic food scene. Coburn spoke about the importance of plant-based innovation and her pride in collaborating with companies like New/School Foods to offer sustainable vegan alternatives. For her, Toronto is a place where identity, community, and culinary ambition thrive together.

• Now for some sad news, unfortunately: After 13 years in the Beaches, Tori’s Bakeshop will close its Queen East location on June 22 due to a building sale. While the storefront is closing, Tori’s will continue selling baked goods online and through partner cafés and stores across the GTA. The space will be taken over by Judy’s, a new non-profit café focused on providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Judy’s will also carry Tori’s products, continuing the connection with the community.

• The long-awaited Odd Burger location at 731 Broadview Ave. looks like it won’t be opening after all. Despite being announced in 2020 and bearing full Odd Burger branding for years, new “For Lease” signs have appeared in the windows, and the address is now listed online. A representative from the company confirmed that the site has been officially tabled, citing unresolved “development challenges” without elaborating further.

  This one stings a bit personally—I’ve been waiting years to see this location open, especially since it would have made plant-based fast food more accessible on the east side. But after five years of delays, it seems like the project has quietly come to an end. On the bright side, Odd Burger products will soon be available in 7-Eleven stores across Canada, and their other locations are still going strong.

Events:

• Japanese Bento & Yakigashi Pop-Up
  📅 Date: Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22, 2025
  🕒 Time: 11:00 AM until sold out
  📍 Location: Coffee by JOY, 163 Sterling Road

  Haru's Cuisine is hosting a Japanese vegan pop-up in collaboration with Coffee by JOY. The event will feature handcrafted vegan Bento Boxes inspired by nostalgic Japanese home cooking, including a plant-based version of Tamago Yaki. There will also be Yakigashi (Japanese baked goods), with a new rotating menu that incorporates seasonal ingredients and specialty items sourced from Japan. The pop-up runs until sold out each day.

• Vegan Potluck and Trail Walk
  📅 Date: Sunday, June 22, 2025
  🕒 Time: 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM
  📍 Location: Scarborough Village Recreation Centre, 3600 Kingston Road

  The Scarborough Vegans group is hosting a community potluck followed by a group walk along the Doris McCarthy Trail/Gates Gully. The event begins at 12:30 PM, with lunch starting promptly at 1:00 PM. If weather permits, the group will dine outdoors at the recreation centre's picnic area. Attendees are asked to bring their own reusable dishes and utensils, and all food must be fully vegan. After the meal, the group will head out at 3:00 PM for a gentle-paced walk on the scenic trail. Comfortable shoes and water are recommended, especially for the uphill return. Everyone is welcome, including veg-curious and vegetarian guests, as long as they bring vegan food to share.

• Vegan Chalking + Going Out on Bloor
  📅 Date: Monday, June 23, 2025
  🕒 Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  📍 Location: Christie Pits Park, 750 Bloor St W

  Join fellow vegans and vegetarians for a relaxed chalking session at Christie Pits. Supplies and drawing ideas will be provided, including animal reference images for inspiration. The event also features slacklining and a casual group outing to a nearby bar or restaurant afterwards. No registration required—everyone is welcome to bring friends.

Activism:

• Rally: Animal Justice in Court to Block Return of Ag Gag Law
  📅 Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
  🕒 Time: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
  📍 Location: Outside the Ontario Court of Appeal

  Animal Justice is holding a rally to oppose Ontario’s ag gag law as it returns to court following a government appeal. The law, which restricts whistleblowers and conceals animal abuse, was previously ruled unconstitutional. Supporters are encouraged to attend the rally to demonstrate public opposition and defend transparency in animal agriculture. Signs will be provided, and attendees are welcome to bring their own.

The Toronto Vegan Restaurants Guide 2025

World Vegan News:

• Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown recently shared the company’s shift toward “radical transparency” and the use of clean, functional proteins, responding to criticisms about processed plant-based foods. Speaking on FoodNavigator’s Positive Nutrition series, Brown explained how Beyond Meat is simplifying its recipes and emphasizing nutrient-dense, recognizable ingredients like fava beans and avocado oil. The company has launched new products including a whole-cut mycelium-based steak and revamped its Beyond Burger with fewer ingredients and better nutritional profiles. Amid a tough Q1, Beyond Meat secured up to $100 million in funding from the Ahimsa Foundation’s affiliate to support its strategic goals.

In the Near Future:

*(more info will come closer to the dates)

• 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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