I’ve been noticing more and more vegan-friendly thanksgiving pre-order options popping up every year in Toronto, which is probably great, both for vegans and people with vegans in the family coming for dinner, especially if they are not quite sure what to feed them. This list also gives a good number of options for people with dairy or egg allergies, some gluten free options, and more.

So here is a list of everyone I’ve seen so far

I will continue to update it as I see more, feel free to send me hot tips: me@meshell.ca

Through Being Cool Vegan Bakery

• Pumpkin Pie
• Cookie Pack
• Butter Tarts
• Apple Crisp
• Veggie Gravy
• Pot Pie
• Lentil Loaf
• Scalloped Potatoes
• Dinner Rolls
• Cranberry Sauce

Orders must be placed in the store. (1277 Bloor St. West, closed Mon. Tues-Sat 9-7 Sun 9-5)

Bunner’s Bake Shop

If you’re looking for gluten-free vegan fare, look no further. As a gluten-fan I’ve still loved so many of their baked goods and treats that it’s been fantastic to have a gluten-free option that didn’t taste like it was missing something. They do good work.

Kensington pick-ups: 647-350-2975
Junction pick-ups: 647-352-2975

Savouries:
Stuffing 6×9″ tray – $12 (contains soy lecithin)
Veggie Pot Pies (feeds 4) – $26 (soy free)
Thanksgiving Bowls – mashed potatoes, corn, soy “turkey”, gravy, cranberry sauce and stuffing, all in one handy container! All of our taste testers raved and raved about this one! small size: $7 / large size: $18 (contains soy)

Sweeties:
9″ Pumpkin Pie – $28 (soy free)
9″ Apple Crumble Pie – $28 (soy free)
Pumpkin Cheesecake – $21 (contains soy)

You can see Bunners’ post here on facebook (they’re also promising to post a collection of tasty recipes today)

Apiecalypse Now

you can check out the post on facebook here.

Yam Chops

• Wild Rice & Cranberry Soup
  Butternut Squash “Steak” with caramelized onions and chimichurri sauce
  Sage-Thyme Stuffing with apple and pecan
• Roasted Garlic Yukon Potato Mash with shiitake miso gravy
  Red Cabbage, Fennel and Orange Slaw with tamari pepitas and lemon vinaigrette
• Pumpkin Spiced Black Bean Brownie.

$29.95 + HST/person

Find out more information about ordering and any pricing updates on the Yam Chops website

Doug McNish

Ready-To-Enjoy Organic, Vegan, Gluten-Free Holiday Meal includes:

• Roasted Garlic and Celery Root Soup
• Herbed Quinoa, Lentil and Millet Loaf with Caramelized Onion and Squash
• Roasted Mushroom and Miso Gravy
• Sage and Roasted Apple Stuffing (Gluten-free or Sprouted Wheat)
• Spiced Coconut Sweet Potato Mash
• Steamed Garlic Greens
• Cranberry Sauce

Complete dinner $40 (serves 2-3 people)
Complete dinner $75 (serve 3-5 people)

Find out more details about ordering from Doug’s website.

Tori’s Bakeshop

So far I’ve seen:
16 ounces of glutenfree stuffing.

now available to order: 16 ounces of #glutenfree stuffing, with carrots, celery, mushroom, and sage #local #organic pic.twitter.com/Zs7xemVMg7

— Tori’s Bakeshop (@torisbakeshop) October 2, 2014

Pumpkin Pie

We’re now taking whole roasted pumpkin pie orders! Apple and pecan available too, as well as whipped coconut cream. pic.twitter.com/Wzt4RLcZIJ — Tori’s Bakeshop (@torisbakeshop) October 3, 2014

find them at 2188 Queen St. E., Toronto, or visit their website for more contact info.

Green Earth Vegan Cuisine

“Want a hassle-free, guilt-free thanksgiving? Order our homemade vegan turkey stuffed with herb seasoned croutons.”

Whole turkey $51.95

They are also doing a thanksgiving dinner October 10 – 13, reservations recommended.

Green Earth Vegan Cuisine – 385 Broadview Avenue, Toronto, ON
(416) 778-9199

Requisite Debbie Downer Paragraph

Those who know me, especially on facebook or in the non-digital world, have probably picked up that I find out and share a lot of information on the less awesome parts of being human (yes, I’m that guy). Maybe it’s that I like inspiring a debate, or some kind of blip of thought in a direction someone else might never have thought of. Perhaps this is a result of the weird and wonderful conversations I used to have (and still occasionally have) with my mom and dad when I was a kid. So of course, with my interest in critical perspectives and analysis on historical events, animal rights stuff, racism, thoughts on the environment etc etc etc, I’m going to do that here too.

Personally, I’ve been gradually finding it less and less appealing to celebrate Thanksgiving,  it feels like it’s a celebration steeped in some atrocious historical events and celebrates, at least on some level, a dead bird. Even with all the delicious pumpkin pie in the world (which I do love), I can’t quite make it feel okay. I’ve loved thanksgiving (heck you can see how much I’ve loved it every October (2010, 2011, 2012.), I’ve loved making elaborate vegan meals to share with family and friends, or just eating it alone as comfort food the first year I moved here, but as time passes, I can’t separate the day with its uncomfortable past and present.

If you felt like sharing any references or interesting information you have about Thanksgiving, especially within a Canadian context, I’d appreciate it. I feel as though American Thanksgiving has gotten a more thorough critique, and I’m missing out on a more robust Canadian analysis.

If you’re so inclined, you could also sponsor a Turkey or Chicken or any of the wonderful farm animals at Cedar Row.

/end debbie downer paragraph

Now, if you have any Thanksgiving food spot recommendations please pass them on.