Christmas in September For Vegetarians

Toronto offers an entire summer full of cultural festivals, all of which are either focused on food, or at which food plays a major role. For some folks, though, there is no allure to an endless parade of BBQ, souvlaki, too-salty prosciutto or greasy kielbasa. Which is why Toronto’s vegetarian community is always especially delighted to end the summer on a meat-free note, with one of the largest vegetarian food fairs in North America.

Now in its 23rd year, the Vegetarian Food Fair, put together by the Toronto Vegetarian Association, takes over Harbourfront Centre for three days of workshops, demos, exhibitors, music, performances and much more. It’s a chance for local vegetarians and vegans to check out new products, watch cooking demos and browse the Association’s onsite bookstore. This year, the cookbook section, always a favourite, has been expanded due to popular demand.

Says Toronto Vegetarian Association executive director Kathleen Farley, “One of the biggest changes returning visitors will notice is a bigger and better bookstore, featuring all the best vegetarian cookbooks we could find. We had a team of volunteers working for months on that, and I think visitors will be thrilled to see so many veggie cookbooks and specialized resources in one place. We'll even have trained volunteers who can help you find exactly the cookbook or resource you're looking for - whether you're looking for books about low-carb vegan cooking (yes, there is such a thing!), vegetarian recipes for diabetics, or a primer on raw foods.”

Farley also points out that, since a vegetarian diet has always been associated with being more environmentally-friendly, this year the Vegetarian Association has partnered with Bullfrog Power to provide green electricity to all of the indoor exhibit and lecture areas. She explains, “Bullfrog sources power exclusively from generators who meet or exceed the federal government's Environmental Choice Program EcoLogoM standard for renewable electricity. This means our power will come from clean, emission-free sources like wind power and low-impact water power instead of carbon-intensive sources like coal and oil.” Since a great number of people choose a vegetarian diet in part because of the environmental impact of the meat industry, this will come as welcome news.

For most visitors, the exhibitor area is the hi-light of the event, where they can sample and buy new products they might not have had before. Farley mentions SmartMonkey Foods, who create a line of raw, organic fruit and nut bars, as well as It’s All Good Foods, a line of meat-like cutlets created by Yves Potvin of Yves Veggie Cuisine as two new vendors attendees should look out for.

While the festival organizers work hard to keep booth prices reasonable so that small independent companies can also take part, the criteria to participate revolves around a completely vegetarian product and a professional display. This makes for a more grassroots event, and also allows people to check out new products and help promote a wider acceptance in regular stores. You want soy ice cream to be available at Loblaws? Maybe a sample at the Vegetarian Food Fair will encourage you to talk to your supermarket manager and get them to carry the stuff.

Organizing the actual event is only part of what the Toronto Vegetarian Association and its staff of volunteers do on festival weekend. With roughly 1/4 to 1/3 of association members using the fair to join or renew their memberships, staff are busy processing paperwork and promoting the other events and programmes the association works on throughout the year. Says Farley, “As a charity, we depend on membership donations to fund our year-round programs. So the more people donate to us at the Food Fair, the more we can do the rest of the year to inspire people to choose a healthier, greener, more peaceful lifestyle.”

The group works year-round, maintaining a website complete with blog, event listings and even restaurant news. They also create an annual vegetarian directory available free at the food fair. Members of the Association qualify for discounts at various Toronto restaurants as well, making a membership quite worthwhile.

Farley discusses the feeling of community the event creates, as she admits to a quick break to survey the fair at its busiest, “Often I'll park myself over on the pedestrian bridge or somewhere else with a good view and just watch the fair happen for a bit,” she says. “I see all these people having such a good time, and I realize the Food Fair more than just a consumer show - it's a community event, a special occasion. Christmas in September for vegetarians.”

That sense of fun, excitement and community is palpable to attendees as well. Having attended the fair for many years now, I can vouch for the fact that neither the event or the Association have the “preachy” tone non-vegetarians so often associate with the vegetarian movement. The event is incredibly open and accepting so meat-eaters shouldn’t feel that they’re unwelcome. It’s a great opportunity for everyone to expand their horizons, try new things and learn more about a wonderful and delicious way of eating.

The Vegetarian Food Fair runs from Friday, September 7th to Sunday September 9th at Harbourfront Centre. Admission is free, all areas of the fair are wheelchair accessible and everyone is welcome.

Check back on Wednesday, September 12th when our vegan food writer Laura Sutula recaps the event with her list of delicious food finds.