Hello all and welcome back! I hope you had a good holiday break and Happy New Year.

I took a few weeks off over the end of the year, but I’m really glad to be back in your inbox, and thank you for coming back, too.

January is always one of the busiest months in the vegan world thanks to Veganuary, and this week’s edition reflects that, with updates on local restaurant news, ongoing collaborations, cooking classes, outreach events, and a quick look at how vegan trends are continuing to grow globally.

There’s a lot happening right now, especially close to home, so let’s get into it.

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 January 8 - 14:

News:

• This month is known as the month of Veganuary, which is a global initiative that encourages people to try eating vegan for the month of January. Started in the U.K. and now supported worldwide, Veganuary has become a yearly reset for many, with restaurants, brands, and grocery stores rolling out limited-time vegan menus, products, and discounts. Beyond food, the campaign highlights the environmental, ethical, and health impacts of plant-based eating, making January a particularly active time for vegan events, specials, and outreach across Toronto.

• Taqueria Vegana has confirmed it has officially signed the lease for a second location in Toronto, marking a major milestone for the plant-based taqueria. The exact address hasn’t been disclosed yet, but they note it won’t be in the east end (frown), will be close to the current restaurant, and will be about a four-minute walk from a subway station. The owners emphasized that the growth is thanks to continued community support and said more details will be shared soon, while confirming that Taco Nights are still ongoing at the original spot.

• Hot For Food has shared that its collaborative menu with Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar is running until the end of April, giving people a few more months to try the limited-time offerings. The Japanese-inspired lineup includes a creamy mushroom udon styled after an alfredo with smoky mushroom bacon and truffle oil, miso chili crisp Brussels sprouts, and the Moonstruck Powershake featuring black sesame and spirulina, alongside several warm and cold drinks topped with ube cold foam. The menu also includes two exclusive cupcakes; vanilla yuzu cream and strawberry matcha, made by Bunner’s Bake Shop specifically for Fresh.

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.)

• Vegan Cooking Class – Vegan Meats
  📅 Date: Monday, January 12
  🕒 Time: 6 p.m.
  📍 Location: College Street
  🎟️ Tickets: $125 per person (email [email protected] to book)

  Chef Johnnie hosts an evening cooking class focused on vegan meats, where participants prepare a three-course meal paired with wine and later enjoy it together in the dining room. The class is framed as a chance to learn recipes the way he was taught by his Nonna, blending technique with tradition.

• Sushi Making 101 (vegan menu available upon request)
  📅 Date: Many Dates in January
  🕒 Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  📍 Location: 14 Logan Ave, Unit B (entrance off the south wall facing Lakeshore Blvd.)
  🎟️ Tickets: $85 per person
  This Sushi Making 101 class is an in-person, hands-on experience that includes a 90-minute guided lesson plus time to eat, with all tools and ingredients provided. While the standard menu features fish-based sushi, a fully vegan menu is available upon request. Vegan attendees can expect to take part in the same learning experience, make a full set of sushi pieces, and enjoy leftovers to take home, with dietary needs accommodated when noted at checkout. The class runs on a per-seat basis, is cashless, and welcomes children with supervision.

Activism:

• Veganuary Outreach at Nathan Phillips Square
  📅 Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
  🕒 Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  📍 Location: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West
  This is listed as a friendly outreach action following the earlier AR Chats meetup at Wishbone (walk down together to City Hall). Posters are provided, and the listing mentions you’re welcome to bring your own materials.

World Vegan News:

• A new report from Mordor Intelligence finds that the global vegan supplements market is continuing to grow as more consumers adopt plant-based diets for health, ethical, and environmental reasons. The market is valued at USD 10.20 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 16.19 billion by 2030, driven by rising demand for clean-label, plant-based nutrition products. Key trends highlighted in the report include growing interest in algae-based omega supplements as alternatives to fish-derived products, increased demand for supplements targeting specific health needs such as immunity, digestion, and weight management, and the popularity of alternative formats like gummies and powders alongside traditional capsules and tablets. The report also notes that wider online availability and diverse product offerings are helping make vegan supplements more accessible across regions.

In the Near Future:

*(more info will come closer to the dates)

• Vegan Potluck and Games

  📅 Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026

  🕒 Time: 12:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

  📍 Location: Scarborough Village Community Centre, 3600 Kingston Road 

  A Toronto Vegan Meetup potluck (bring vegan food for 4–6 people, start eating at 1:00 p.m., then games). 

• Vegan Cooking Class – Vegan Meats
  📅 Date: Monday, January 19
  🕒 Time: 6 p.m.
  📍 Location: College Street
  🎟️ Tickets: $125 per person (email [email protected] to book)

  A second session of Chef Johnnie’s vegan meats class, offering the same hands-on experience preparing a three-course meal with wine, followed by a shared dinner. Guests are invited into his kitchen to learn recipes passed down through his family.

• Vegan Chef’s Table at Bellona Kitchen
  📅 Date: Monday, January 20, 2025
  📍 Location: Bellona Kitchen (Jane Street)
  🎟️ Tickets: $35 per person email ([email protected] to book)

  Bellona Kitchen is hosting an intimate three-course prix fixe dinner featuring all-new menu items, with the chef guiding guests through each dish. This event is designed as an evening of connection, creativity and flavour, reflecting the restaurant’s handcrafted approach to its everyday menu.

• Toronto Vegan Drinks – New Year Edition
  📅 Date: Friday, January 30
  🕒 Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  📍 Location: Nuttea – Nut Mylk Café, 637 Bloor Street West

  Toronto Vegan Drinks kicks off 2026 with a cozy winter meetup at Nuttea, a plant-based café known for nut-based beverages and vegan treats. This monthly social event takes place on the last Friday of each month and is open to vegans and non-vegans alike. Expect a relaxed evening with 100% plant-based food and drinks, plenty of conversation, and a welcoming space to reconnect with familiar faces or meet new people.

• Animal & Vegan Advocacy Summit Canada

  📅 Date: Thursday, May 21 – Sunday, May 24, 2026

  🕒 Time: (multi-day conference; specific daily times not listed on the event page)

  📍 Location: Sheraton Centre Toronto, 123 Queen St W 

  ART’s listing links out to AVA International’s event site and notes it’s a multi-day gathering for advocates, researchers, organizers, and others working on systemic change for farmed animals. 

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