Prizes

Those who sign up during 2011, complete the Veggie Challenge, and fill out two very short surveys (one before and one after) will have a chance to win some fabulous prizes. Those who submit a short story or photo about their experiences will have a chance to win additional prizes. Unless noted, these prizes are good for anywhere in the world.

For previous prizes and winners see our Prizes page for 2010.

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.

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.)

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 2011 – Won by Tara.
Mar/Apr 2011 – Won by Linda.
May/Jun 2011 – Won by Rachel.
Jul/Aug 2011 – Won by Shaun.
Sep/Oct 2011 – Won by Gillian.
Nov/Dec 2011 – Won by Terri. (stories for Nov/Dec are not yet posted)

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.

Jan/Feb 2011 – Won by Lucie.
Mar/Apr 2011 – Won by Diane.
(no Vancouver entries in May and July)
Sep/Oct 2011 – Won by Richard.
Nov/Dec 2011 – Won by Jody.

New – If you send us a photo or video, 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. Based on a random draw, three prizes will be awarded every year after the photos or videos are posted online. Currently not many people send photos so that will improve the odds of winning. Photos or videos can be of yourself or a favourite vegetarian dish you discovered, etc.

Featured stories: during the year stories are featured in our eNewsletter and the best stories from the year will be posted on our blog in January or February of the following year.  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.  Two 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 their choice of a SoyQuick 930P Milk Maker (value $225.00), or a Four-course catered meal ($150 value) from Vegan Delights. See below for prize details.

Those who complete our six month follow-up survey 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.  One prize will be awarded based on a random draw.

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).

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 the year.

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.

"Thanks for the amazing food! I'll be calling on you to cater my graduation party for sure, and will absolutely be recommending you whenever I can."
– Nancy, Toronto (2010 prize winner)

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 Sept 2009 to Aug 2010.

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, photos and videos that are original, not offensive and in the case of stories, written in an understandable manner, will be posted on our site and eligible for the additional story prizes mentioned above.
• We will only use your photos and videos for the Veggie Challenge. If you ever decide that you no longer want them shown, we will remove them promptly.
• 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.