Vegetarian Discount Card Program

We are always happy to accept new vegetarian-friendly restaurants, food stores, vacation spots and cooking classes into our discount program. Your participation helps to support Toronto Vegetarian Association (TVA), a registered charity with a mission to “inspire people to choose a healthier, greener, more peaceful lifestyle.”

Over the years, the number of participants and popularity of the program has grown considerably. TVA has over 1200 memberships (about half purchase the discount card). Cardholders are required to purchase the card for $20 in addition to making a minimum donation of $20 to TVA. Over 75 businesses participate in our program.

Our focus is food-related discounts, but we also include a limited number of yoga classes, environmental stores and other places that appeal to vegetarians.

For the current list of discount offers, see our discount list.

Discount list policy

The following is a guideline on how we determine the significance of any discount you may like to offer. Other considerations are now many cardholders the proposed discount may appeal to.

Gold level discount

Established vegetarian-friendly restaurants and food stores in the Toronto Area that offer TVA cardholders an ongoing discount of at least 10% on a significant portion of their business (7% may be acceptable if there are few restrictions and 5% may be acceptable if the discount applies to everything without added restrictions).

• 80% off the cost of a basic listing in our Vegetarian Directory (55,000 copies per year, printed every September).
• A free subscription to our quarterly newsletter, Lifelines.
• Free Listing (plus 15% off cost of advertising) in our newsletter.
• Full listing in the vegetarian directory section of our web site (www.veg.ca/directory), and an additional listing on our discount page.

Silver level discount

New or established vegetarian-friendly restaurants, food stores and cooking classes in the Toronto Area that offer TVA cardholders an ongoing discount of at least 5% on a significant portion of their business. Other places that offer at least 10% on a significant portion of their business.

• 30% off the cost of a basic listing in our Vegetarian Directory (55,000 copies per year, printed every September).
• A free subscription to our quarterly newsletter, Lifelines.
• Free Listing (plus 15% off cost of advertising) in our newsletter.
• Full listing in the vegetarian directory section of our web site (www.veg.ca/directory), and an additional listing on our discount page.

Bronze level discount

Any other discount offers. Such as small percentages, limited product range, or businesses not frequented by many cardholders. This includes beyond Toronto Area discounts, or in the case of vacation spots - beyond Ontario.

• A free subscription to our quarterly newsletter, Lifelines.
• Free Listing (plus 15% off cost of advertising) in our newsletter.
• Full listing in the vegetarian directory section of our web site, and an additional listing on our discount page.

Notes:

Vegetarian vacation spots within Ontario are eligible for the gold or silver levels.

Vegetarian cooking classes that are offered frequently may be eligible for the gold level.

Caterers are usually restricted from joining the discount program due to their flexible pricing and the fact that catering is not used by cardholders on a regular basis.

Free listings may be revoked if an outstanding balance exists.

Cardholder Notes:

Please present a valid discount card when ordering. Discounts apply to vegetarian items only, and may exclude specials and alcohol. The card can not be used in conjunction with other discount offers. Some places may restrict cardholders from making purchases for others, and some may require a minimum purchase (if higher than $5, it will be noted).

Accepting a new discount place

1. Please notify us of the discount that you have in mind to offer.

2. We will consider your offer and if accepted, we will assign the discount to one of three levels (gold, silver or bronze).

4. Once you confirm being accepted into the program, an confirmation letter is printed out and sent along with sample discount cards, newsletter, membership brochure, and directory.

Annual letter

Along with the annual Vegetarian Directory mailing in April or May, each business that offers a discount is reminded of their discount and sent a flyer about the program and a sample discount card.

After receiving the mailling, you must contact us (by phone, email, fax, or mail) and confirm that your listing information and discount is still the same in order to continue receiving all of the above mentioned benefits.