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- Vegan Drinks, Cooking Classes & Big Wins for the Movement.
Vegan Drinks, Cooking Classes & Big Wins for the Movement.
Welcome to the Toronto Vegan Insider


Hope everyone’s having a great week and shovelled themselves out from that snow storm we had!
This week we have lots of updates, from record-breaking Veganuary participation to local wins like Caledon endorsing the Plant Based Treaty.
If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, there’s plenty happening—Toronto Vegan Drinks is back with a Valentine’s (and Anti-Valentine’s) theme, Wishbone AR Lab is hosting a beginner-friendly D&D night, and Animal Liberation Kitchen is running a Vietnamese cooking class. Plus, don’t miss the Compassionate Clothing Collective for a sustainable fashion swap.
Also, a quick reminder—the Toronto Vegan Restaurants Guide 2025 is still available. Check out the details below if you haven’t grabbed a copy yet.
Let’s get into it!
Week of February 20-26 :
News:
Veganuary 2025 saw record-breaking participation, with an estimated 25.8 million people joining worldwide—up from 1.8 million in 2024—thanks to expanded survey methods across 11 countries. Since 2013, Veganuary has encouraged people to try a vegan diet in the month of January as a fresh start to the new year. However, for many Asian countries that celebrate Lunar New Year in January or February, March is a more fitting time to begin the challenge. To accommodate this, Veganuary is supporting the China Vegan Society in launching "V-March" (Vegan Spring March), a sister campaign tailored for this audience. More than 50 Chinese businesses have already pledged their support, further expanding the movement’s global reach.
The Town of Caledon has become the second municipality in Ontario to endorse the Plant Based Treaty, passing the motion with a 6-2 vote. Introduced by Mayor Annette Groves and seconded by Councillor Tony Rosa, the endorsement commits the town to promoting plant-based food solutions to reduce emissions and improve public health. This decision follows a strong local advocacy campaign supporting the treaty’s environmental and health benefits.
Events:
Toronto Vegan Drinks – February: Calling All Valentine's and Anti-Valentine’s!
📅 Date: Friday, February 21, 2025, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
📍 Location: Thien Tam Asia, 2907 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON
🎟️ RSVP: HereToronto Vegan Drinks is back with a special Valentine’s (and Anti-Valentine’s) edition. Hosted by the Toronto Vegan Meetup group, this monthly social brings together vegans and the veg-curious for good food, drinks, and conversation.
This month, the event takes place at Thien Tam Asia, a cozy Vietnamese spot known for its flavourful plant-based dishes. Grab a bite, meet like-minded folks, and enjoy an evening with Toronto’s vegan community.
D&D Games Night: Uni and the Hunt for the Lost Horn
📅 Date: Friday, February 21, 2025, 6:30 PM
📍 Location: Wishbone Animal Rights Lab, 600 Bay St., Toronto, ON
🎟️ Details and booking: EventbriteCurious about Dungeons & Dragons but intimidated by the rules or the usual combat-heavy gameplay? This special vegan-friendly D&D night at Wishbone Animal Rights Lab offers a welcoming, no-pressure introduction to the game.
This session is beginner-friendly, story-driven, and focuses on creativity over combat.
Animal Liberation Plant-Based Vietnamese Cooking Class
📅 Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Animal Liberation Kitchen, 100 Broadview Ave, Toronto
🎟️ Tickets: Eventbrite👩🍳 Join Animal Liberation Kitchen for a hands-on vegan cooking class where you'll learn to prepare Vietnamese favorites. You'll learn to make Fresh Rolls packed with veggies and herbs, Pulled Mushroom Banh Mi, and a flavorful Curry Soup with Vermicelli Noodles.
Your ticket includes the meals prepared during the class, plus wine (non-alcoholic options available).
Only a few spots left—the last event sold out!
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Activism:
Compassionate Clothing Collective
📅 Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Wishbone Animal Rights Lab, 600 Bay Street, Suites 305, 307, 308, Toronto, ON
🎟️ Entry fee: $3.00
🎟️ Details: Animal Rights TorontoJoin us for the winter edition of the Compassionate Clothing Collective, a vibrant clothing swap event promoting sustainable and ethical fashion choices. For a modest entry fee of $3.00, participants can exchange their gently used clothing and accessories, giving them a new life while refreshing their own wardrobes with unique finds. In addition to clothing, the event features a selection of unique accessories and household items. This is an excellent opportunity to embrace eco-friendly practices, support the vegan community, and discover new treasures in a friendly and inclusive atmosphere.
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World Vegan News:
A recent CBC article highlights a growing movement among cities worldwide to adopt plant-based action plans as a strategy to combat climate change. These plans aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting plant-based diets and sustainable food systems. Notably, cities like Los Angeles and Edinburgh have endorsed the international Plant Based Treaty, which calls for halting the expansion of animal agriculture, encouraging a shift to plant-based diets, and rewilding natural ecosystems. This trend reflects a broader recognition of the environmental impact of food choices and the role urban centers can play in fostering sustainable practices.
A VegNews article highlights the rapid growth of the oat milk market, with sales surpassing $695 million in the past year—a 28% increase over two years. Leading this surge is Swedish brand Oatly, which reported a 10.9% revenue increase in the third quarter of 2024, totaling $208 million. Despite criticism from wellness influencers over its glycemic content, oat milk remains popular for its creamy texture and sustainable production. Oatly's CEO, Jean-Christophe Flatin, attributes the company's success to strong execution and supply chain improvements.
In the Near Future:
*(more info will come closer to the dates)
Comfort Classics Vegan Supper Club
📅 Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
📍 Location: Rily Kitchen, Toronto, ON
🎟️ Tickets available now: EventbriteJoin vegan chef Lauren Toyota for an evening of plant-based comfort food at the Comfort Classics Vegan Supper Club. The event will feature a cozy atmosphere and a menu of delicious vegan dishes. For details and updates, check out Lauren’s Instagram: instagram.com
Planted Expo Toronto 2025: Canada's Largest Plant-Based Event
📅 Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025, 10:00 AM
📍 Location: Enercare Centre, Toronto🎟️ : Planted Expo Tickets
Planted Expo Toronto is confirmed for May 10, 2025. Note: There will be no BC edition this year. Discover over 200 plant-based, vegan, and sustainable exhibitors, brands, and services at this family-friendly event. Hear from insightful speakers and explore a variety of products and services.
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Whisked Away to Italy 2025
📅 Date: Saturday, June 7 – Saturday, June 14, 2025
📍 Location: Panzano, Tuscany
🎟️ Details and booking: The Getaway Co.An immersive week-long retreat in the heart of Tuscany, participants will stay at the charming Pensione Vignamaggio and enjoy daily plant-based meals crafted by a private vegan chef. The itinerary includes vegan wine tastings, a day trip to the picturesque Cinque Terre, a guided tour of historic Florence, and a visit to a local farm sanctuary. The retreat also features interactive cooking workshops for hands-on culinary experiences.
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