NORTH YORK – Ontario-raised pork was front and centre at the Taste of North York, one of the Greater Toronto Area’s (GTA’s) largest food festivals. More than 30,000 attendees gathered to celebrate food, culture and community while supporting local efforts to address food insecurity.
Held on June 5-7 at Mel Lastman Square, the three-day festival featured a diverse lineup of food vendors, live entertainment and cultural experiences reflecting the rich multicultural fabric of the GTA. Ontario Pork was proud to partner with the event and provide three vendors with pork. Sales from the event help raise money for Neighbour Link North York, which operates food banks in the GTA providing fresh food to people experiencing food insecurity.
From Greek, Filipino and Mexican cuisines, each partnership helped showcase the versatility and quality of Ontario-raised pork through authentic cultural dishes. Festival-goers enjoyed everything from pork tacos and lechon BBQ skewers and pork belly wraps.
According to Tiffany Daguro of Kusina Town Restaurant, Ontario-raised pork helped showcase the authentic flavours Filipino cuisine is known for.
“Filipino cuisine is known for dishes like lechon and barbecue skewers where quality pork is essential,” said Tiffany. “Using Ontario pork allows us to showcase authentic Filipino flavours while supporting local farmers contributing to the local food industry. We’re very grateful for Ontario Pork for sponsoring this event.”
Mexican restaurant El Milagrito also highlighted the importance of using quality ingredients to deliver authentic flavours.
“We believe that great tacos start with quality ingredients,” said Maria Herrera of El Milagrito Mexican Restaurant.
Throughout the festival, attendees experienced firsthand how Ontario-raised pork can be enjoyed across a wide range of culinary traditions, demonstrating pork’s adaptability and ability to bring cultures and communities together through great food.
Beyond the food itself, organizers emphasized the lasting community impact created by the event.
“It means the world from a small charity like ours to have this support from Ontario Pork and help us to buy fresh food that then goes to neighbours in need who are experiencing food insecurity,” said Sebastian Biasucci of NeighbourLink North York.
Ontario Pork extends its heartfelt thanks to the participating vendors, event organizers and more than 30,000 attendees who helped make the event a success. Together, everyone helped celebrate great food, cultural diversity and community giving, while supporting the local farmers who raise high-quality Ontario pork and helping ensure more families have access to nutritious food.
