What's On gives you the latest information every weekday leading up highlighting who and what will be at the 26th Annual Vegetarian Food Fair . For up-to-the-minute news, follow our Facebook and Twitter feeds. Make sure to check the official schedule before the Food Fair begins for any timing changes.

Every year at the Food Fair we have some of the most compassionate people in the world grace us with their presence (including you). In this edition of What's On we'll take a look at some of the wonderful presenters and businesses that share your values of compassion.

Tip: Make sure to come to the Food Fair early each day. It tends to be less busy in the morning and some of our best speakers and demos start the morning off.

Featured Presenter - Jonathan Balcombe

Ethologist (animal behavior scientist) Jonathan Balcombe is the author of the best-selling Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good, the first book to explore the positive experiences of animals. His new book Second Nature: The Inner Lives of Animals was released March 2010 and is already in its 3rd printing. Exultant Ark: A Pictorial Tour of Animal Pleasure (University of California Press) is scheduled for March 2011. Balcombe’s message resonates with timely issues that affect everyone, including climate change, biodiversity, and personal health. A dynamic sought-after speaker, Balcombe has given invited presentations on six continents.

Jonathan's talk, "Second Nature: The Inner Lives of Animals" will take place on Saturday, September 11th 2010 at 4:30pm.

Today, science is revealing startling new discoveries in the realms of animal cognition and emotional complexity. From optimistic starlings, to fishes who choose preferred “shoal mates,” to dogs who object to unfair treatment, Balcombe shows that animals lead lives of acute awareness. He also shows that social living requires animals to behave nicely toward one another, and spells out why the human-animal relationship needs a major overhaul, especially when it comes to our food choices.

Featured Cooking Demonstrator - Meghan Telpner

I am a certified nutritionist (C.N.P.), a member of the Canadian Association of Natural Nutritional Practitioners and also work as an holistic lifestyle consultant and digestive coach. My downtown Toronto practice is run out of a sweet and colourful artists loft space where I meet with clients and run my classes, workshops and city retreats. Thanks to my travelling and well read blog, Making Love In The Kitchen , I can brag about my international client base extending across Canada, around the United States, the Caribbean, the UK and as far reaching as Mozambique and Australia. 

Her demo "Making Love In The Kitchen with Meghan: Doing It Veggie Style" is happening on Saturday, September 11th at 12:00pm.

With humour Nutritionist and Chief Love Maker of The Love In The Kitchen Academy, Meghan will demo how deliciously easy it is to make staple vegetarian foods from scratch including bean dips, crackers, milk subs, cereals/bars, smoothies and of course sweet treats. As we transition towards a more plant based, compassionately minded way of eating, we often start to look for ways to do so with less impact on the environment while maximizing the positive impact on our health. Do it Veggie Style With Compassion.

Featured Exhibitor - Truth Belts

Truth owner and designer Renia Pruchnicki started Truth in 2001 from her apartment in downtown Toronto Canada. After graduating from Toronto's Ryerson University with a degree in Fashion Design in 1994, she worked for 7 years as a designer for a few different companies. Her experience was more technical, having designed ski and snowboard outerwear and later cosmetic bags and technical backpacks. When her employer suddenly went out of business, Renia found herself in a rather unpleasant position. As the saying goes: When one door closes, another opens. And so began TRUTH...

Truth is a company that makes vegan fashion accessories.
The products are made in Ontario, Canada and range from classic/conservative to down right funky! Shanti, our latest product line-up includes new belts that have nickel-free buckles and belts with removable buckles. Our elastic range of belts will blow your mind with all of the exciting patterns and colours.

Whether you're a man, woman, vegan, vegetarian or carnivore, you'll find something to express your truth. Live your truth and respect others'.

You can find Truth at the Food Fair all weekend in the International Marketplace.

Featured Musician - Two of Us

Ken Whiteley is a Canadian roots music legend. His musical journey has taken him from jug band, folk and swing to blues, gospel and children's music. Among numerous accolades, he has won a Canadian Folk Music Award, Genie Award for Best Original Song in a Canadian film, Lifetime achievement awards from the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals and Mariposa Folk Festival. Ken has been nominated for 7 Juno awards and 13 Maple Blues Awards. Ken’s live performances showcase his outstanding musicianship on guitars and mandolin, award winning original songs and his powerful vocals, called "...a cross between Pete Seeger and Tony Bennett on 11!" Whether leading his own group, solo or collaborating with peers at blues, folk, children’s festivals and concerts of all sizes, his “...deep knowledge and infectious passion” guarantee good times for all. As a producer of over 125 recording projects, Ken’s productions have garnered 10 Canadian Gold and Platinum records, 4 American Gold records, 22 Juno and 2 Grammy nominations, and sold over 8 million copies.  

You can see Ken on Friday night only at 6:00pm on the Redpath Stage.

See you again tomorrow for another update!