Free vegan eats tomorrow at Yonge-Dundas Square

Tomorrow, starting at 11 a.m., Yonge-Dundas Square will play host to what is being billed as North America’s largest plant-based eating experience. At 10,000 Tastes, 10 Billion Reasons, vegan retailers will dole out 10,000 samples of their products. Attendees include Silk (offering almond, soy and coconut milks), Earth Balance (vegan butter), Daiya (dairy-free cheese), Yoso (gourmet soy spreads), Silver Hills (sprouted breads), Sunrise (tofu and soy products), Sun Warrior (protein powder) and Toronto’s New Moon Kitchen (baked goods)—although we’re told the big draw is the Oprah-backed Gardein veggie burgers (and the Simply Natural condiments to top them). Organizer Shannon Kornelsen tells us that one of the festival’s aims is to bust the myth that being vegan means being skinny or weak—former Montreal Canadiens enforcer Georges Laraque, The Ultimate Fighter Season 9 winner James “Lightning” Wilks and triathlete, firefighter and author Rip Esselstyn will be in attendance as living proof that plant-based dieters can still be healthy (and buff). Our interest is piqued, but for the truly, unwaveringly meat-inclined, this announcement also doubles as a heads-up to sidestep Yonge-Dundas Square tomorrow (you’re welcome). [h/t The Grid]