It looks like we’re getting a bit of a break from the humidity today—hope you’ve been enjoying the nice weather.

Last week, we stopped by the Haru’s Cuisine pop-up at Coffee by Joy. We missed out on the bento boxes (they sold out in under an hour!), but we were lucky to grab some delicious desserts before they disappeared.

This week’s edition brings some solid local news, including New School Foods’ move into red meat alternatives and Odd Burger’s latest retail partnership with Vegan Supply.

We’ve also got details on Friday’s Toronto Vegan Drinks, a few updates from the activism front, and a rare national vegan menu launch from Denny’s.

Week of June 26 - July 2:

News:

• New School Foods Expands Beyond Plant-Based Salmon

  Toronto-based New School Foods is broadening its scope beyond plant-based salmon with the launch of a new parent company, NS/TX Industries. The startup recently opened its west-end facility to showcase how its proprietary tech—including directional freezing and scaffolding—can now produce other whole-cut meat alternatives, such as steak and bone-in ribs. Its goal is to offer this tech to other brands through three branches: NS/TX R&D, New School Foods (the consumer-facing label), and NS/TX Manufacturing. The company has raised over $24 million CAD and is preparing for a Series A to support further expansion, including a second facility. New School plans to refine and roll out its red meat products later this year in partnership with chefs and restaurants.

• After an 11-year hiatus, controversial animal rights activist Gary Yourofsky has returned to the spotlight with a new speech uploaded to his official YouTube channel. Titled “Yourofsky’s 1st Speech in 11 Years,” the video features his characteristic, uncompromising advocacy for veganism and animal liberation. Yourofsky, known for his viral 2010 speech at Georgia Tech and a history of direct action—including freeing mink from a Canadian fur farm—reiterates his core arguments against speciesism, the ethics of animal agriculture, and the environmental impacts of meat consumption. This latest appearance signals a renewed presence from one of the most polarizing figures in the global vegan movement.

• Odd Burger Corporation has partnered with Vegan Supply, a major vegan grocery retailer, to expand the distribution of its plant-based consumer packaged goods (CPG) line. Through this collaboration, Odd Burger products—including items like the Crispy ChickUn Fillet and Chickpea Burger—are now available for online purchase via Vegan Supply's website and in-store at their retail locations in Vancouver and Surrey, BC. This move aims to increase accessibility to Odd Burger’s products and supports its continued retail growth across Canada.

Events:

• Toronto Vegan Drinks – Pride Month and Canada Day Special
  📅 Date: Friday, June 27, 2025
  🕒 Time: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
  📍 Location: Nuttea – Nut Mylk Café, 637 Bloor Street West

  Celebrate the end of Pride Month and the start of Canada Day weekend at this month’s Toronto Vegan Drinks social. Hosted at Nuttea, known for its creamy plant-based beverages, the evening features drinks, vegan treats from Bad Attitude Bread, and casual conversation on the outdoor patio. There’s no cover charge, and everyone’s welcome—just show up, grab a drink or snack, and connect with fellow veg-curious and vegan attendees.

Activism:

• Animal Justice Fundraiser: Double Your Monthly Gift
  Animal Justice is currently running a limited-time matching campaign where new monthly donations are being doubled by a generous donor, up to a total of $75,000. Funds raised will support legal efforts to protect animals from cruelty and neglect, including challenging Ontario’s ag gag laws, pushing for a national ban on horse exports for slaughter, and advocating for the relocation of marine mammals from Marineland to sanctuaries. As a non-profit, Animal Justice does not issue tax receipts, but monthly contributions help sustain long-term legal work for animal protection across Canada.

The Toronto Vegan Restaurants Guide 2025

World Vegan News:

• Denny’s has launched a fully plant-based breakfast entrée called the Plant-Based Pancake Slam, now available at all 1,311 of its U.S. locations. Priced from $11.99, the dish includes two multigrain pancakes (made with flaxseeds, cinnamon, and brown sugar), crispy hash browns, and seasonal fruit. While it is cooked on shared equipment, the pancakes are free of milk and eggs. This marks a rare national rollout of a fully vegan breakfast option at a major diner chain. The move comes as other fast-food brands scale back plant-based offerings, suggesting Denny’s sees sustained demand. The launch follows years of pressure from Mercy For Animals and signals continued momentum for mainstream vegan menu items.

In the Near Future:

*(more info will come closer to the dates)

• Movie Night at the Lab
  📅 Date: Thursday, July 4, 2025
  🕒 Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
  📍 Location: Wishbone Animal Rights Lab, 600 Bay Street, Suite 305

  Celebrate Sue’s 59th birthday with a screening of The Animals Film, a landmark documentary narrated by Julie Christie. The film exposes the many ways animals are exploited for food, science, and entertainment, and charts the rise of the global animal rights movement. Notably, it was the film that inspired Sue to go vegan.

• Summerlicious
  📅 Date: Thursday, July 4 to Saturday, July 20
  📍 Location: Various participating restaurants across the city

  Toronto’s popular Summerlicious festival returns with over 220 locally owned restaurants offering three-course prix fixe menus at a range of price points. It’s a great chance to explore new flavours or revisit favourites while supporting the local food scene and there will be many vegan options.

• VegTO 80th Anniversary Movie Day and Fundraiser
  📅 Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025
  🕒 Time: 12:00 PM
  📍 Location: 192 Spadina Avenue
  🎟️ Tickets: $11.98 – $22.63, available via Eventbrite

  VegTO is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a special movie day and fundraiser. Guests are invited to join in marking this milestone with a community gathering that honours VegTO’s legacy and impact. Attendees are encouraged to wear VegTO shirts or vintage vegan tees to show their support.

• The Toronto Vegan Get Together
  📅 Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025
  🕒 Time: 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
  📍 Location: Wishbone Animal Rights Lab, 600 Bay Street, Suites 305 and 308
  🎟️ Tickets: Advance purchase required

  An evening of live music, stand-up comedy, and plant-based food in support of local animal rescues and advocacy groups. Organized by Vegan Brain Food, the event features the debut of Gaia's Eye, green smoothies by Animal Save Movement founder Anita Krajnc, and ongoing screenings of a Dog Adopt-Athon to encourage fostering. Beneficiaries include Toronto Cow Save, GLO Farm Sanctuary, Toronto Pig Save, and Ivy's Wish Sanctuary.

• 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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