Vegetarian-friendly Toronto prepares to shine, this weekend and beyond

For the veg-happy, Toronto is the place to be this week. TVA's annual vegetarian food fair is only a day away and I, for one, am excited!

Toronto's vegetarian culture has been flourishing in recent years. As of 2008, Toronto boasted 54 vegetarian restaurants (20 more than we had only five years ago), more than New York City (gasp!) has per capita, but still lagging behind west coast cities like Vancouver and Seattle.

Of course, fully vegetarian restaurants are not necessarily the best indicator of how veg-friendly a city is. Toronto's multicultural flair means that cuisines from countries whose diets are not so meat-intensive as North America are readily available here. Ethiopian Misir Wot stew with spongy injera on your lunch break? No problem. Szechwan garlic-chili eggplant at 1am on a Tuesday? You can have it here.

And then there's the food fair. That thousands of Torontonians, both herbivores and omnivores alike, come flocking to Harbourfront every year to sample wares from local vegetarian vendors is testament to our passion for good food, better health, cultural diversity, and less meat on our plate.

The impact of choosing a vegetarian meal echoes far beyond our individual well-being as well. TVA volunteer Steve Leckie shared some sobering statistics with me recently; it takes seven times more land to produce food for the average meat-eating Canadian than for a vegetarian (3.5 acres compared to half an acre). Typically, 360 trees will grow on one acre of land. If that's not enough environmental incentive, consider this staggering fact: livestock production accounts for 18% of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions—that's more than all of the world's motor vehicles.

In addition, skipping the meat saves farm animals from lives of intense suffering. In 2007, Canadians consumed 686 million farm animals (that's about 21 per person). Conditions in the large-scale factory farms required to meet such unsustainable consumption levels are extremely grim—animals are subjected to overcrowded conditions, painful procedures and dangerous drugs. Even for those of us that do not adopt a vegetarian diet, reducing meat consumption and using our consumer power to demand humane and sustainable farming operations has an enormous impact on animal welfare and environmental health.

A friend visiting from a mid-sized U.S. city last month commented, while we were wandering around the city, "I can't believe how much good vegetarian food you have here. You're so LUCKY!" While she's right, I think there's more to it than luck; we're making better choices all the time, Toronto, and it shows. Be sure to come down this weekend and support the food fair and all the vendors that help make these choices possible.

A Must-Attend Event for 25 Years

Given that the Toronto Vegetarian Association (TVA) has been around since 1945, the Food Fair is a fairly recent innovation, born from the vision of a few keen members of the Board of Directors who were seeking to expand the TVA’s reach back in 1984.

“We needed to do more to reach the general public,” says Peter McQueen, a long-time volunteer with the TVA, who served as the organization’s president of the volunteer Board for seven years during the 1980s, and who still serves on the Board in a number of key roles.

“We have definitely accomplished what we set out to do,” he adds. “About half of the people who attend the Food Fair each year are NOT vegetarian. We’re reaching people who are either thinking about moving towards a plant-based diet, or who are in transition, or who are simply curious about a lifestyle they don’t know much about.

“Our outreach to non-vegetarians is, in my opinion, why the Food Fair is such an incredibly worthwhile event. We’re educating while at the same time giving people a great time in a fun and exciting environment. They get to sample and purchase delicious veggie food, buy the latest eco- and animal-friendly products, and hear groundbreaking information from international leaders in cuisine and health.”

The Food Fair, today as in the beginning, owes its existence to volunteer power. In the beginning, it was run entirely as a labour of love by an unpaid Food Fair Coordinator together with a group of dedicated volunteers.

Today, as big as the event has become, a full-time TVA staff member is responsible for putting the event together, but with such a large venue as Toronto Harbourfront, and with almost 15,000 people expected to attend, volunteers are as important as ever, and TVA volunteers respond to the call for help by the hundreds.

“The Food Fair began as the Vegetarian Information Fair, but another Board member and I decided to shift the focus to food,” Peter McQueen recalls. “We were right on the money, because in our second year our venue was packed, we drew over 500 people and lots of food was sold – we knew we had to move to a larger location because we had a hit event on our hands.

“I contacted Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre and as luck would have it, they were looking to put on a health fair – and our event fit the bill. Moreover, since Harbourfront is fully funded by the federal government, they gave us the space and charged only for technical fees.

"In our first year at Harbourfront, we attracted 3000 people, up from 500 the year before. And our attendance has grown exponentially ever since. We expanded the event to three days, and moved it from May to September, when all the students are back in town. The Food Fair keeps growing and getting more exciting, year after year.

“Based on the feedback we get, people love to attend the Food Fair and they keep coming back after their first year of attendance. Our vendors and exhibitors, not just the food sellers but also the animal rights groups, tell us that the Food Fair is very good for business.

“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and I want to take this opportunity to invite everyone to experience the Toronto Vegetarian Association Food Fair. There is no admission fee, and I can guarantee that you will have fun, learn something new, and taste some of the best food in the city.”

Change your diet, change your life: Taking the veggie road to health and wellness

It seems to me that no matter how much I learn about the benefits of eating a plant-based diet, there are always objections coming my way. My mother says she honours my lifestyle choice but urges me to eat a piece of chicken once in a while, just to be on the safe side. My friend Christine, learning that I don't eat cheese or hamburgers, throws back her head and screams in protest, “Oh but that’s so haaaaaard!”

So, if you’re like me, and want to be armed with the latest information about the benefits of a plant-based diet, and gain some verbal ammunition against the taunts and traumatic pleas of well-meaning friends, bring a notebook to the Food Fair because you won’t find such an abundance of wealth of veggie knowledge in one place ever again (well, not until next year’s Food Fair, anyways).

Brenda Davis

Keynote speaker Brenda Davis is no stranger to anyone who has ever perused a bookstore in search of a guide to going veggie. She’s co-written two of the most acclaimed books on the subject, Becoming Vegetarian and Becoming Vegan, and co-authored Defeating Diabetes. With diabetes on the rise throughout the western world, Brenda’s talk at the Food Fair couldn’t be more timely: “Defeating Diabetes…Lessons from the Marshall Islands”. The rates of Type 2 diabetes in this population are among the highest in the world – not surprising considering that close to 75% of women and 50% of men are overweight or obese.

And yet, 60 years ago here, diabetes was unheard of. What happened? An influx of soda pop, salty snacks, and heavily processed foods, including canned and fatty meats, to start with: imported foods that fill the stomach, leaving little room (or desire) for fresh fruits and vegetables. In this presentation, find out what happened when participants in a diabetes research study were put on a 100% plant-based diet and took daily exercise. The results will amaze, encourage and perhaps even surprise you. Find out more about Brenda Davis on her website.

Cooking Demonstrations

If you, like me, are having trouble convincing friends and family about the benefits of a compassionate lifestyle, perhaps nothing will do the trick more than a delicious veggie dish. And this year at the Food Fair we have presenters who will inspire your inner chef to come out of hiding!

Meghan Telpner, certified nutritionist, says, “Let’s take the emphasis on soy, pasta, potatoes and bread out of the vegetarian diet. All too often these become the vegetarian’s staple foods.” (VeganBonnie: Oh don’t I know it!) With an inspiring story, a sense of humour, and a unique passion for food and nutrition, Meghan will entertain as she demonstrates easy, quick and wonderfully delicious meal and snack solutions that energize and heal. She’ll be working with plant-based proteins and iron-rich foods. Her casual style invites audience participation and dialogue throughout the presentation. Here’s a video “taste” of Meghan’s kitchen style. Learn more about Meghan on her website.

Marni Wasserman has a motto: Simple and Delicious! “Is your life a little out of kilter these days?” she asks. “Eating natural and whole foods can help you achieve a balanced lifestyle.” But where to start? The aisles of the local supermarket offer up a jamboree of choices, many of them tempting but troublesome for your health. Chef and food educator Marni will guide you through the maze of options. In her presentation she will show you what to stock in your pantry and fridge and how to make simple healthy meals and snacks. Marni wants you to know that, "everyday eating can be simple and delicious!" Learn more about Marni on her website.

Nimisha Raja is one of the most passionate experts and educators in Toronto on the benefits of a plant-based diet. A long-time volunteer with the Toronto Vegetarian Association, she'll be presenting a talk entitled "Healthy Veggie Habits". If you've already adopted a plant-based diet, you probably already know that you are consuming lower levels of saturated fat and cholesterol. Or, are you? Going veg doesn't necessarily mean you're eating a healthy diet. Do you have the information you need to get the full benefit of a compassionate lifestyle? Nimisha will explain the four new food groups, and why it's time to do away with Canada Food Guide. Find out more about Nimisha on her website.

These are just some of the presentations you can look forward to at the Food Fair, and there will be more news later on this blog about other presenters that you just shouldn't miss. Bookmark this blog and check back often! To supplement your education, the Toronto Vegetarian Association will have fact sheets for you to take, free of charge, on topics such as diabetes, heart health, and optimal athletic performance.

Vegetarianism Dons Its Little Black Dress and Hits the Town

To try and get a better sense of the food fair’s history, last week I dragged out the lawn chair, made myself a fruity drink, and spent the afternoon pouring over a stack of Lifelines – TVA’s subscription newsletter – ranging over the last 25 years.

The topics covered in the articles haven’t changed much; the newsletter still explores the health and environmental benefits of a plant-based diet, consequences of the factory farming industry, what it means to eat compassionately, as well as abundant culinary – and social! – tips on making the transition. The newsletter itself, though, has changed significantly. In the early 90’s, it contained hand-drawn photocopied flyers for bake sales. A decade later, a sleeker package presents cutting edge articles from an array of experts.

Some of this, of course, is simply that the design has evolved as the publication has matured and become more financially sustainable. But it also mirrors a change in vegetarianism: it is no longer a grassroots domain. Nor is it necessarily dominated by counter-culture animal activists anymore. The proponents of vegetarianism today are as diverse as their reasons. But one thing is certain – it’s way sexier than it used to be. Tofu and broccoli recipes have given way to pan-seared seitan in a portabello red wine reduction, and vegan chocolate-strawberry layer cakes. Celebrities are lining up to get naked for PETA ads. More and more urbanites are looking for a vegetarian meal – even those who are not vegetarians – and a lot of Toronto restaurants are stepping up to the plate.

So who’s responsible for the new veg-chic? Food fair stats from the last few years show that a quarter of the attendees are under age 25, and over half are between 15-34 – some 8,100 people based on recent attendance estimates. That’s a heck of a lot of hipsters. And it certainly isn’t only vegetarians that attend – in fact only half of the people surveyed at the fair claim to be vegetarians, and another impressive 50% are first-timers, a good sign that the word is, as they say, on the street. It’s true, 25 is a good age.