Who is ready for some pumpkin Pie? In this week’s edition we talk about where to get your hands on some. Also, PLANTA has officially emerged from Chapter 11 and Toronto locations are listed as operating, but still check hours before you head out.

There’s encouraging product news with Gusta rolling out Yves-style deli slices this month.

If you’re getting out this weekend, there’s a fall popup on St. Clair Friday–Saturday, plus a film screening tonight and activism events on Monday.

As always, I’ll post any late-breaking updates on Instagram in between editions.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Buy Vegan — Your vegan-only catalogue for Canada

Everything listed is verified vegan and orderable in Canada. Compare prices across retailers, see where to buy, and skip the label decoding. It’s a catalogue of vegan products and point you to the shops that sell them. As a new site, feedback and suggestions are always welcome.

What it is (and isn’t)

• Vegan-only catalogue: every item verified—no label decoding.

• Canada-ready: listings checked for Canadian shipping or local availability.

• Where to buy & price look-up: we strive to list all retailers so you can compare.

• Not a storefront: we don’t sell; we point you to the places that do.

New this week:

New listings roll out weekly as we grow toward a comprehensive vegan database for Canadian shoppers. Let’s vote with our dollars—and Buy Vegan.

Week of October 9 - 15:

News:

• PLANTA emerges from Chapter 11; Toronto locations operating
  Plant-based chain PLANTA, founded in Toronto, has emerged from U.S. Chapter 11 via a strategic asset sale, with eight locations continuing while others closed. As of this week, the brand’s official site lists active Toronto pages (Yorkville and Queen), and reservation platforms continue to show service—use the restaurant’s site to confirm hours before heading out.

• Montreal-based Gusta is rolling out a Yves-style line starting October 2025 that includes four vegan deli slices along with burgers and ground “mince,” with the company saying it moved quickly after Yves Veggie Cuisine’s shutdown to fill the gap. Gusta also told media it ramped production to full capacity and doubled headcount, though it won’t replicate every Yves item immediately. For Toronto shoppers, this should soften the loss of Yves’ lunchbox staples.

• Looking for Pumkin Pie? Here is what I found:

  • Bad Attitude Bread — 9" classic vegan pumpkin pie available for holiday pre-order (ingredients listed; contains wheat).

  • Bunner’s Bake Shop — Vegan and gluten-free 9" pumpkin pie on their Thanksgiving menu; order page and seasonal menu are live. Some posts also note pumpkin pies and mini pies available in-store over Thanksgiving weekend.

  • Sweets from the Earth — Pumpkin pies in spelt and gluten-free versions, GTA-only for direct orders; also widely stocked at groceries around the city.

Events:

(Please note: Event details are provided as accurately as possible at the time of publishing. We recommend checking directly with organizers or venues for any updates or cancellations before attending.)

• Fall Celebration Popup by Aunty Em’s Deli
  📅 Date: Friday, October 10, 2025 – Saturday, October 11, 2025
  🕒 Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (both days)
  📍 Location: 1672 St Clair Ave W

  This two-day popup leans into fall flavours with a roast dinner (mix-and-match sides), pumpkin pies, butter tarts, pumpkin spice scones, apple pie cinnamon buns, and coffee specials. Savoury options include breakfast sandwiches and croissant sandwiches.

Activism:

• Film Screening of Regan Russell: “I’m Trying”
  📅 Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
  🕒 Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
  📍 Location: Carlton Cinemas, 20 Carlton St.
  🎟️ Tickets: Via Eventbrite (link provided on Animal Rights Toronto)
  A 90-minute film program followed by Q&A with the filmmakers.

• Cube of Truth
  📅 Date: Monday, October 13, 2025
  🕒 Time: 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
  📍 Location: Christie Pits Park (Bloor & Christie)
  Anonymous for the Voiceless street-outreach action; black clothing requested. Venue and time confirmed; check the Facebook event for updates.

• ONLINE ACTION: Signs for Turkeys
  📅 Date: Monday, October 13, 2025
  🕒 Time: All day (online)
  📍 Location: Virtual / social media
  🎟️ Tickets: None
  An online action where participants post themselves holding signs advocating against turkey consumption (for Thanksgiving).

World Vegan News:

• VegNews argues that longevity is better supported by a moderate, plant-forward (often lower-protein) diet like those seen in Blue Zones, where legumes, grains, and vegetables dominate and animal protein is minimal. It cites research linking high animal-protein intake in midlife to higher cancer and all-cause mortality risk (an effect not seen after age 65), WHO’s classification of processed meat as carcinogenic, and studies showing benefits when small amounts of animal protein are replaced with plant protein, including lower risks of early death, type 2 diabetes, and kidney strain. Concerns about muscle are addressed by evidence that, with sufficient total protein and resistance training, plant protein builds and maintains muscle as effectively as animal protein. The takeaway: keep protein moderate, prioritize plant sources, and think redistribution over excess.

In the Near Future:

*(more info will come closer to the dates)

• Fatty Bear Vegan Pastries Re-Opens
  📅 Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025 (recurring Saturdays through fall & winter)
  🕒 Time: 9AM - 12 Noon
  📍 Location: 1607 Dupont

  Fatty Bear says the pop-up is back at the same Dupont location, with Saturday mornings as the weekly window to grab their vegan pastries.

• Vegan Pop-up Brunch
  📅 Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025
  🕒 Time: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
  📍 Location: The Lab, 108 Dundas Street West, 2nd Floor
  🎟️ Tickets: Available via Eventbrite
  Pop-up brunch by 5 Principles Cuisines with a fixed seating; listing notes limited capacity. 

• Thai Cuisine Made Vegan (hands-on class)
  📅 Date: Available any day in October

  🕒 Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  📍 Location: Chef’s Place in Yorkdale area (exact address provided after booking)
  🎟️ Tickets: Available via Classpop
  Hands-on vegan Thai cooking with Chef Sher (spring rolls, pad thai, green curry, lemon-chia dessert); Classpop shows many Toronto sessions through October—see listing for additional dates and times.

• Vegan Cheesemaking (The Depanneur × Emily Zimmerman)

  📅 Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025

  🕒 Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

  📍 Location: CSI, 192 Spadina Avenue, #501

  🎟️ Tickets: Available via The Depanneur

  Hands-on workshop covering plant-based cheeses, taught by longtime vegan chef Emily Zimmerman; limited spots noted.

• International Vegan Film Festival — Short Film Program
  📅 Date: Oct. 31 - November 2, 2025
  🕒 Time: Food vendors from 5:00 PM; screening runs 7:00 PM–10:00 PM
  📍 Location: OISE Auditorium, 252 Bloor Street West
  🎟️ Tickets: Festival passes and tickets via Zeffy

  The International Vegan Film Festival is back in Toronto this fall, expanding to three days with seven sessions at the OISE Auditorium from October 31 to November 2, 2025. The weekend includes a Short Film Program on Saturday, November 1, and the festival is offering individual tickets and flexible passes, with early-bird options available now via Zeffy. The IVFF notes the new multi-day format for 2025 and confirms OISE as the venue.

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