July 3 - 9: July Kicks Off with Lots Going on

Aunty Em’s closes its doors, VegTO turns 80, and Wishbone hosts a double feature.

July 03, 2025

Welcome back to the Insider. Hope you’re all enjoying the start of July—it’s strawberry picking season! Have you had a chance to go yet?

This week’s edition includes a couple of special events happening around the city, including VegTO’s 80th anniversary celebration and a community get-together at Wishbone.

There’s also news of Aunty Em’s Deli closing its storefront after July 6, though Em isn’t going far— shifting focus to catering, pop-ups, and future projects.

In global news, we’ve got everything from Doritos-flavoured vegan mayo to a $4.3 million Canadian investment in plant-based soybeans.

And if you haven’t grabbed your copy of the Vegan Restaurants Guide yet, now’s the time—just a few left before it’s gone for good.

Delightfully decadent yet nutritionally balanced, ALOHA’s Coconut Chocolate Almond protein bars offer a satisfying crunch of almonds paired with smooth coconut and rich cocoa.

Made with organic ingredients like brown rice protein, pumpkin seed protein, and almond butter, these bars provide 14g of protein and only 5g of sugar per serving.

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Certified Vegan and Non-GMO

  • USDA Organic Certified

  • Gluten-Free and Soy-Free

  • No Stevia or Sugar Alcohols

  • B Corporation (sustainability-focused)

Week of July 3 - 9:

News:

  • Aunty Em’s Deli will be closing its storefront to walk-ins after July 6, marking the end of its three-year run as a local vegan staple. While the daily deli service is winding down, owner Em has confirmed exciting plans ahead: Aunty Em’s Catering is set to expand, Sausage Party Toronto remains active, and more developments are in the pipeline for Aunty Em’s Pizza. The closure is a personal milestone for Em, who is stepping away from the shopfront to pursue new goals in the hospitality world. Though the storefront is closing, pop-ups will continue at the current location and throughout the city.

Events:

  • 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 today 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: Sold Out

    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.

📣 Share the Newsletter
If you enjoy reading this, consider sharing it with friends, family, or anyone curious about the vegan scene in Toronto. They can sign up at torontovegan.ca

Released in December, this limited-edition guide is now on liquidation sale—just a few copies left! A couple of featured locations have since closed, making this a true collector’s item for anyone who’s followed the Toronto vegan scene.

  • Quick-Reference Details: Find each restaurant’s address and contact info right at your fingertips.

  • Menu Links with QR Codes: Direct links to up-to-date menus make ordering easy.

  • Descriptions and Insider Tips: Get a sense of what makes each place unique and what dishes to look out for.

  • Rate Your Experience: Keep track of your favourites with a built-in rating section.

  • Space for Notes: Jot down your own recommendations or standout dishes for next time.

  • Printed on recycled paper and bound with vegan glue.


    Orders are available exclusively through the Veggie in the 6ix website, with free local pick-up and affordable shipping options.

World Vegan News:

  • This week’s vegan product news includes several exciting launches. Tacotarian introduced a limited-edition Dubai Horchata, blending pistachio, chocolate, strawberries, and optional espresso or rum. Sweet Loren’s and Hello Kitty teamed up for a vegan, allergen-free birthday cake cookie dough now available at major U.S. retailers. Häagen-Dazs shops unveiled a Blueberry Lemon Non-Dairy Freeze featuring oat milk. NotCo and PepsiCo launched Doritos-flavoured vegan mayo and nuggets in Chile. Rebellyous Foods debuted spicy plant-based options for U.S. schools and foodservice. Impossible Foods released Grilled Southwest Burger Patties, while Protein Industries Canada invested $4.3M in developing cold-climate soybeans for plant-based foods. In the UK, Jay&Joy launched its vegan cream cheese, Justine, while Bel Group is discontinuing its Nurishh line due to poor performance. Finally, The Cheesecake Factory added new vegan-friendly dishes, including Charred Sugar Snap Peas and an Asian Cucumber Salad.

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.

  • A Fundraiser for Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary: MONKEY MAGIC
    📅 Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
    🕒 Time: 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
    📍 Location: GLB Brewpub, 11 Lower Jarvis St. Units 5-8
    🎟️ Tickets: $110 – includes two 11oz pours of beer, vegan and vegetarian hors d’oeuvres, live music by Big Night Out, and access to a monkey art auction (It is unclear how to buy tickets though…)

    GLB Brewpub is hosting a special fundraiser in support of Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, home to 23 rescued primates including the artistic Pockets Warhol. Guests can expect fresh beer, plant-based bites, live tunes, and the chance to bid on original monkey-made art. All proceeds go toward sanctuary care and operations.

  • 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.

  • Animal Law & Advocacy Conference 2025
    📅 Date: Friday to Sunday, September 26–28, 2025
    🕒 Time: Full-day programming; Friday includes a student conference and evening reception
    📍 Location: Toronto Metropolitan University
    🎟️ Tickets: Available at alaconference.ca
    The 7th annual Animal Law & Advocacy Conference, hosted by Animal Justice, returns to Toronto this fall with three days of sessions, networking, and plant-based catering. Formerly known as the Canadian Animal Law Conference, the event has broadened its focus to include advocates and community leaders beyond the legal profession. Programming kicks off Friday with a dedicated student day and a welcome reception, followed by two days of workshops and panels featuring Canadian and international experts in animal law and advocacy. Early bird tickets are now available online.

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