TORONTO, August 25, 2005—The Toronto Vegetarian Association and Harbourfront Centre present North America’s largest gathering devoted to the celebration of meat-free living. The fair is a great opportunity for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike to learn more about making healthy, ethical food choices. Highlights include over 100 exhibitors, a vegetarian café, cooking demonstrations, free mouth-watering food samples, dynamic guest speakers, interactive workshops and more. The fair takes place on Friday, September 9, from 4 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, September 10, from

11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, September 11, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West. Admission is free. For information, the public can call 416-973-4000 or visit the Toronto Vegetarian Association website at www.veg.ca/foodfair.

 FAIR HIGHLIGHTS

Cooking demonstrations are held every hour, on the hour. Cooking instructors, chefs and cooks share their culinary hints and suggestions—not to mention free tastings of their creations!

Sunday, September 11 at 2 p.m.

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Sarah Kramer, author of the bestselling How it All Vegan and The Garden of Vegan demonstrates how to make vegan peanut butter cupcakes. Advance copies of La Dolce Vegan!, her latest book, will be available at the fair.

 NEW! Amazing Vegetarian Food Race

The Amazing Vegetarian Food Race takes place at this year's Vegetarian Food Fair in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank. The race takes place on Saturday, September 10 at 1 p.m. During the race, contestants are given clues to find and purchase products for the food bank. They are also required to stop in at checkpoints to complete challenges and answer food-related questions to score as many points as possible. This is a race against time, but also a game of skill, with great prizes to be won! Contestants must be 18 years of age or older and register in teams of two. For more information or to register for the race, contact Katie at admin@veg.ca or

416-544-8891.

Guest Speakers

Saturday, September 10 at 1 p.m.

A Time for Change: Debunking the 'Science' of Nutrition

Dr. T. Colin Campbell presents empirical evidence, from his own 45 years in experimental research at Cornell University and from the work of others, supporting his views on health and nutrition. He also discusses the mischievous effect that diet and health policy makers and expert panels have had on the public's understanding of nutrition.

Saturday, September 10 at 1 p.m.

How Athletes can Improve their Performance by Adopting a Vegetarian Diet

Learn Brendan Brazier’s nutritional secrets to becoming one of the only professional vegan athletes in the world. Visitors learn how to perform better than ever before on a vegan diet and how to get the greatest "net gain" from one’s food to improve energy without "borrowing" energy from sugary foods and caffeine.

Saturday, September 10 at 3 p.m.

Peaceable Kingdom Within, A Farmer's Journey in Compassion

Harold Brown, a subject in the documentary Peaceable Kingdom, presents excerpts of the documentary depicting the stories of farmers who had a transformation of heart. Interspersed with the excerpts, Brown relates stories of other farmers he has met on his national speaking tour who have also had a change of heart. This presentation attempts to broaden our understanding that the human journey in compassion and search for peace for all beings is universal.

 
Entertainment

September 9 to 11, various times throughout the fair

Acting Creatively Veg Kids, possibly the world's only theatre troupe of vegetarian and vegan kids (ages 4 to 7), aim to entertain and change the world! These talented, compassionate kids use their passion for performing and animal advocacy to inspire and educate their audiences. They perform original songs, monologues, poetry and sketch comedy.

 
Saturday, September 10, 5 to 8 p.m.

A free outdoor concert featuring Toronto indie favourites Raising the Fawn, The Cliks and Showroom.

The complete fair schedule is available at www.veg.ca/foodfair.

Please note: electronic images are available to download from www.veg.ca/foodfair/mediaroom.

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Media Contacts:

Vanessa Holm, Toronto Vegetarian Association, 416-544-8891, office@veg.ca