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: Here

  Toronto 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: Eventbrite

  Curious 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!

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 Toronto

  Join 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.

The Toronto Vegan Restaurants Guide 2025

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: Eventbrite

  Join 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.

  Please note: Clicking the link above supports us with a small commission, which helps fund our work.

• 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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