- The Toronto Vegan Insider
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- Week of Apr 9 - 15
Week of Apr 9 - 15
Cooking, meetups, and a promotion that could save you money right away
This week’s edition has a nice mix depending on what you’re in the mood for, with a particularly full Sunday lineup. There’s a hands-on cooking class focused on bean-based dishes, a small-group café meetup for relaxed conversation, and a community brunch potluck out in Scarborough, plus a recurring meal prep session starting up again on Monday.
There’s also a promotion this week that’s genuinely worth a look if you eat out even occasionally. It’s one of those things that can pay for itself very quickly, especially with the current deals available across several vegan spots in the city.
On the news side, there are a couple of updates worth knowing about as well, including what’s actually happening with Planta and a quiet discontinuation that some of you might already be noticing in stores.
This Week:
📅 Sunday, April 12
🕒 12:00 p.m.
📍 CSI • 192 Spadina Ave., #501
A hands-on cooking class led by sustainable food educator Kristy Sadler focused on preparing three bean-based dishes, including a savoury appetizer, a hearty main, and a dessert. Tickets are $79.
📅 Sunday, April 12
🕒 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
📍 637 Bloor Street West
🎟️ No cover (purchase of drink/food expected)
A small-group, sit-down meetup at Nuttea focused on casual conversation over vegan drinks and baked goods. Open to both vegans and non-vegans, with a relaxed, low-pressure format intended for meeting others in a calm setting.
📅 Sunday, April 12
🕒 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
📍 3600 Kingston Road
🎟️ Free (bring a dish)
A community potluck hosted by Scarborough Vegans with a brunch focus (e.g., pancakes, tofu scramble). Attendees are asked to bring a vegan dish to share with 4–6 people and their own utensils. The event is casual and social, with optional outdoor walking if weather permits or indoor games. Open to vegans, vegetarians, and veg-curious attendees.
📅 Monday, April 13
🕒 12:00–1:30 p.m.
📍 CCFE Solutions Salon, 5th Floor, 192 Spadina Ave.
A recurring hands-on meal prep session where participants cook a plant-based dish together, share lunch, and take home portions and ingredients to use during the week. The program runs every other Monday through August 10, with participants able to attend the individual dates that work for their schedule.
(Event details are accurate to the best of my knowledge at the time of publishing. Events are intended to be vegan, but details may change, please confirm directly with the organizer if you have specific concerns.)
Promotion of the Week
Eating out in Toronto adds up fast, so when there’s an easy way to save $15–$25 every time, it’s worth paying attention. This week we have a special promotion and it’s something I’ve been looking into that can quickly pay for itself if you go out even occasionally.
Special offer: Realistically, one use pays for the membership immediately. No commitment—cancel anytime. | ⭐ Spotlight: Plant Curious is a local membership that gives you exclusive deals at vegan and vegan-friendly spots across the city. Current offers include:
They keep adding new deals, so there’s always something new to try, and it makes eating out way more affordable. |
Worth Noting:
Planta’s Future
Planta’s U.S. operations are moving forward with Chapter 7 liquidation following a failed expansion strategy, heavy debt, and declining demand, but this does not necessarily apply to its Canadian locations. The bankruptcy and closures referenced are specific to the U.S., and there has been no confirmed announcement that Toronto restaurants will close.
I was at the Yorkville location a couple of days ago and asked staff directlyabout if they would be closing. They told me they are not closing and that they won’t be affected by everything in the news. Its anecdotal but also a good sign!
Lindt is discontinuing its Lindor Oatmilk Truffles, ending one of the few widely available dairy-free options from a major chocolatier. The oatmilk line, launched in 2024, had gained a strong following among vegan and lactose-intolerant consumers, but the company has not provided a reason for the decision. Remaining stock is expected to sell out by the end of the year, with many retailers already no longer restocking. While Lindt notes that some dark chocolate products are still made without dairy, fans are disappointed by the loss of a dedicated vegan truffle option.
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On The Horizon:
*(more info will come closer to the dates)
VegStock! Toronto’s First Vegan Market of 2026
📅 April 25, 2026
📍 The Lab — 108 Dundas Street West
An indoor vegan market featuring food and drink vendors, artists and makers, wellness products, cooking demos, music, and family-friendly activities in a casual drop-in format.
📅 May 16, 2026
📍 Ashbridges Bay Estate — 1561 Lake Shore Boulevard East
A free outdoor vegan festival organized by Animal Liberation Kitchen, featuring plant-based food vendors, conscious brands, live music, and family-friendly activities in a casual picnic-style setting.
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.
📅 June 18 (with additional dates July 16, Aug 13, Sept 10)
📍 Balmy Beach
More details expected closer to the date.
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