Prizes for 2010

Those who signed up between Sept 2009 and Aug 2010, completed the Veggie Challenge, and filled out two very short surveys (one before and one after) had a chance to win one of the following prizes. Those who submitted a short story about their experiences have a chance to win additional prizes. See our current prizes page for the latest prize offerings.

Note: some prizes are still being assigned. It takes time to process the entries and contact people.

Those who complete the seven day Veggie Challenge will have a chance to win their choice of a dinner at a vegetarian restaurant, a vegetarian cookbook, $35 towards a vegetarian cooking class, $50 towards a vegetarian vacation, or a membership in a vegetarian organization. One prize will be awarded every two months.

Jan/Feb 2010 – Won by Elisbeth who lives in Panama  

Mar/Apr 2010 – Won by Mary from Guelph, ON 

May/June 2010 – Won by Amanda from Kentville, NS

July/Aug 2010 – Won by Sandra from Markham, ON

Sep/Oct 2010 – Won by Stacie.

Nov/Dec 2010 – Won by Andrea.

Those who complete the new Phase 2 of the Veggie Challenge (3 more weeks) will have a chance to win their choice of a dinner at a vegetarian restaurant, a vegetarian cookbook, $35 toward a vegetarian cooking class, $50 toward a vegetarian vacation, or a membership in a vegetarian organization. One prize will be awarded every two months. We anticipate that less people will do the extra three weeks, so the odds of winning are greater. One prize will be awarded every two months. [Note: Phase 2 was launched at the 25th Annual Vegetarian Food Fair, Sept 11-13, 2009 where it was called the 25 day Veggie Challenge.)

Jan/Feb 2010 – Won by Sasha from Vancouver.

Mar/Apr 2010 – Won by Donna.

May/June 2010 – Won by Yu

July/Aug 2010 – Won by Stephanie from Port Hope, ON  She writes: "I was so excited to receive the email... Many thanks, this change my husband and I have made was so worth it for all sorts of reasons we're constantly finding out – but this just makes it even better!!!

Sep/Oct 2010 – Won by Kg

Nov/Dec 2010 – Won by Patricia.

Those who write a short story (35 to 350 words) about their experiences will have an additional chance to win their choice of a dinner at a vegetarian restaurant, a vegetarian cookbook, $35 toward a vegetarian cooking class, $50 toward a vegetarian vacation, or a membership in a vegetarian organization.  After you complete the Challenge, there will be an option to submit a story as part of the final short survey. Based on a random draw, one prize will be awarded every two months after the stories are posted online.

Jan/Feb 2010 – Won by Paula.

Mar/Apr 2010 – Won by Kate.

May/June 2010 – Won by James

July/Aug 2010 – Won by Antara

Sep/Oct 2010 – Won by Catherine.

Nov/Dec 2010 – Won by Linda.

Extra Vancouver prize: EarthSave Canada, based in Vancouver, BC, has been promoting a local version of the Veggie Challenge since around March 2010. Those living in the Vancouver area will have an extra chance to win their choice of a dinner at a vegetarian restaurant, a vegetarian cookbook, $35 towards a vegetarian cooking class, $50 towards a vegetarian vacation, or an EarthSave membership which includes discounts at local veggie restaurants and businesses. One prize will be awarded every two months.

Mar/Apr 2010 – Won by Adriaan.

May/June 2010 – Won by Caitlin.

July/Aug 2010 – Won by Heather   She writes: "I'm super excited about a vegetarian cookbook. Thanks again!"

Sep/Oct 2010 – Won by Helen.

Nov/Dec 2010 – Won by Andrea.

Featured stories: during the year stories are featured in our eNewsletter and the best stories from the year will be posted on our blog – see Top stories of 2010.  If your story is selected, you will have an additional chance to win your choice of a dinner at a vegetarian restaurant, a vegetarian cookbook, $35 toward a vegetarian cooking class, $50 toward a vegetarian vacation, or a membership in a vegetarian organization.  Four prizes will be awarded based on a random draw.

When featuring stories we look for ones that are inspiring and honest. We also like to have a visual element to go along with them – so please concider sending a photo or video

Top story of the year will win a SoyQuick 930P Milk Maker (value $225.00).

Extra Food Fair prize: Vegan Delights (see below) offered a Four-course catered meal ($150 value) to the top story from those who signed up around the time of the Annual Vegetarian Food Fair in Toronto – Sept 10-12, 2010.

Won by Nancy. There were four finalists and we randomly selected his story from among them. Congratulations also go to: Krystle, Chris, and Danielle  

Those who complete our six month follow-up survey will be entered into a random draw to win a new Samson 6 in 1 Juicer (value $279.95).

Prize details

Dinners at vegetarian restaurants

Winners will be asked to email us two vegetarian restaurants that they would like to visit in their area or in a city they plan to visit. We will contact the restaurants and select one willing to provide a free meal. If we are not successful, the winner will be reimbursed for the cost of a single meal (up to $20 less any amount covered by the restaurant). Just send us the receipt by mail or email it (by attaching a digital photo of it). This prize is good for any restaurant where English is understood.
Note: To find restaurants near you, see our World links page.

Vegetarian cookbook / book

Choose a cookbook or book from our Resource Centre in Toronto worth $20 or less (or $20 towards a more expensive book). Or purchase a vegetarian book online and send us the receipt. We will mail you a cheque for the cost of the book (up to $20). See our page of recommended books and cookbooks available from Amazon.

$35 toward a vegetarian cooking class

Winners will be asked to email us a vegetarian cooking class that they would like to attend. We will contact the cooking class about offering a free class or price reduction. If we are not successful in obtaining a free or reduced class, the winner can still opt to take the class and get reimbursed. In this case, just send us the receipt and we will reimburse you up to a maximum of $35, less any amount covered by the cooking class. The receipt may be mailed or emailed (by attaching a digital photo of it). To find a class near you try doing a google search or see our Toronto cooking class page if you live in the Toronto area. 

$50 toward a vegetarian vacation or retreat

Winners will be asked to email us two vegetarian spots that they would like to visit.  We will contact the places and select one willing to provide a price reduction. The maximum suggested value is $50. If we are not successful in obtaining a price reduction, the winner will be reimbursed. In this case, just send us the receipt and we will reimburse you up to a maximum of $50, less any amount covered by the vacation spot. The receipt may be mailed or emailed (by attaching a digital photo of it). See our Vacation page to find a vacation place near you.

Joining a vegetarian group

Winners will be asked to email us the name of a vegetarian group that they would like to join. Of course, we recommend Toronto Vegetarian Association where you will receive Lifelines, our quarterly newsletter filled with news, articles, recipes, restaurant reviews, event information, and much more. But you are welcome to join any other veggie group around the world, see our Vegetarian Organizations page. We will contact the group about providing a free membership. If we are not successful, the winner will be reimbursed for the cost of joining (up to $25 less any amount covered by the organization). Just send us the receipt by mail or email it (by attaching a digital photo of it).

SoyQuick 930P Milk Maker

The top story of the year will win a SoyQuick 930P Milk Maker with Deluxe Tofu Making Kit. This automatic machine makes a variety of delicious milks in 13 minutes for pennies a glass. Rated #1 in independent reviews.
($225 value, free delivery within North America).

Samson 6 in 1 Juicer

Those who complete our six month follow-up survey will be entered into a random draw to win a new Samson 6 in 1 Juicer. These masticating, single auger juicers are generally more efficient than higher speed centrifugal juicers because they can extract more juice from the same amount of food, meaning that the pulp comes out dryer and you get more juice per session. ($279.95 value, free delivery within North America) 

Four-course catered meal

Sunny Raja of Vegan Delights (416-491-6781) is offering a Four-course catered meal ($150 value) to the top story from those who signed up around the time of the Annual Vegetarian Food Fair in Toronto – Sept 10-12, 2010. A lot of people (over 200) signed up at this event so we wanted to have an extra prize for them.

Sunny will arrange a personalized menu with the winner at a mutually convenient date and time anywhere in the Toronto Area. For up to 10 people depending on the exact menu. The four courses are the recipients' choice: Salad, soup, main, dessert or exchange the dessert for appetizer/side dish. To maximize the value, the recipient can opt to pick up the meal.

You may enter the Challenge at any time. A new set of prizes will be posted after the end of the current time period. For previous prizes and winners see our Prizes page for 2009.

Additional notes

• Any restaurants, cooking classes, vacation spots, or organizations that you select for your prize must be entirely vegetarian (not serving or promoting any meat or fish), as these places are most likely to donate prizes, and it is nice to support meat-free places. You must provide us with an email or mailing address (or website where this information can be found, such as a contact-us page) for each place you select. And if possible please send us the name of a contact person. Places willing to provide prizes will be featured on our website.
• Only submitted stories that are original, not offensive and written in an understandable manner will be posted on our site and eligible for the additional story prizes mentioned above.
• In general each winning entry is restricted to one prize, but the "Top story of the year" and "6 month follow up" prizes are extra prizes equally available to all qualified entries.
• Prizes must be claimed within 12 months after the date that they are awarded.

We encourage you to support the Challenge by making a donation to TVA. For donations of $20 or more you can receive a quarterly newsletter, charitable receipt and the opportunity to purchase TVA's Vegetarian Discount Card.