Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square was buzzing with energy this weekend as VegTO Fest — Canada’s largest vegan festival — welcomed thousands of attendees for a celebration of plant-based living. The two-day event featured more than 100 vendors serving everything from butter-free blueberry strudel to gourmet vegan oxtail, along with plant-based fashion and eco-conscious products.
Festival-goers ranged from committed vegans to the “plant-curious,” with many saying they were inspired to try adding more vegetarian meals to their diet. “It’s not an all-or-nothing philosophy,” said Kristy Sadler, a VegTO board member. “We’re just trying to make it more accessible.”
This year’s festival highlighted diversity in plant-based cuisine with the first-ever Afro-Caribbean section. Charlene Forde, owner of The Melanated Vegan, said the section was designed to both challenge the misconception that veganism is “bird food” and showcase how plant-based eating can be rooted in cultural traditions. “I went vegan for my health, first of all, and then it turned into a love for animals,” she said.
Attendees also had fun with the festival’s lighter side. Tom Graham, who sported a T-shirt reading “Veganism is Sexy,” said he’s gradually embraced plant-based eating thanks to his girlfriend. “I used to love chocolate milk,” he said. “[But] I didn’t realize how bad it was for my stomach.”
Despite the enthusiasm, not everyone is ready to go fully vegan. Many attendees admitted they plan to keep eating meat, eggs, and cheese — but left with new ideas and recipes to incorporate more plant-based meals into their routines.