By Helena Friesen In recent years, many people are trying to follow a (more) plant-based diet. One plant-based source of protein is nuts. However, all nuts are not equal in terms of how far they travel to get to us, sustainability of farming practices, including the need for irrigation, and issues involving labour.  Here we suggest some considerations in choosing nuts. Almonds, walnuts, pistachios Grown in:  California, the Mediterranean       ...

While we carry animal products, Karma Co-op has lots of options if you’re a Toronto-based vegan, vegetarian or someone looking to reduce meat and dairy in favour of a more plant-based diet. Want to know what it’s like to shop vegan at Karma? We’ve put together the below grocery guide. Essentials for a vegan or plant-based grocery list Karma carries all the basics for a plant-based and vegan shopping list: Seasonal, fresh fruits and vegetables with an e...

In celebration of Black Histories/Futures Month, we’d like to showcase some of our Black suppliers. Karma would be nothing without the products on our shelves and the amazing suppliers behind them. We want to increase our products sourced from BIPOC suppliers. This is an area we need to improve on if our products are to reflect the diversity of our community. If there are BIPOC makers/shakers/business owners you think Karma should be partnering with, please connect us! It’s Sou...

by Karma member Kate Tessier If you have ever had the pleasure of enjoying a meal from an Indian restaurant you know all about Chickpea Curry, otherwise known as Channa Masala. It’s that rich dish that only accelerates your consumption of Naan and undoubtedly sends you back for more. But without the freshest ingredients, packaged dishes like this tend to be bland and mushy.  Thankfully, Tiffinday’s Chickpea Curry is vegan/plant based dish that tastes fresh, full of traditi...

Modern life is about managing a delicate balance in so many things—cost and convenience, quality and time, effort and reward. But some things are just a clear win: that’s how I’ve come to feel about making my own salad dressing. Recipe and image provided by Kyla Winchester I know, you’re thinking, “Salad dressing? Salad dressing of all things?” Yes, salad dressing. I eat salad greens a lot, as an easy side veg that doesn’t require a lot of prep. I used to dress the lettuce with a drizzle of b...

Recipe and image provided by Sarah Bradley Mid-winter brings a welcome introspective energy. I’ve been lucky to take part in yoga teacher training, which means my weekends are immersed in quiet reflection, movement, learning, and building community. Long days at the yoga studio are rich with learning and connection. But guess what: even yogis get hangry! This is why it’s crucial to prepare an array of snacks for a sustainable source of energy. If you are craving the perfect, filling winter sn...

As a zero-waster, glass containers are a must-have. I was surprised at how much I missed my containers upon moving to Toronto. In France, my journey as a zero-waster had been a long one, and I had built up my container stock steadily year after year so that it matched my needs one step at the time. Of course, before leaving, I had to donate them all. When I arrived in Toronto, I immediately looked for zero waste solutions, but I had no more containers! Before buying new ones, I wanted to look...

My name is Dihan Chandra. Karma Co-op was the first retail location to carry our products. Here’s my story. Like you, I need to do something more about the climate crisis. I feel I should be doing a lot more to have significant impact especially if there is less than twelve years before irreversible damage. As a social entrepreneur, I am seeking a way to create a new model of business where I could afford a living yet not at the cost of people and planet. According to Project Drawdown, ...

Ever heard of growing food without soil? That’s hydroponics: a method of growing crops entirely in water, without the use of soil. It’s a closed system where all environmental elements are fully controlled to produce an optimal growing environment. Roots are fed nutrient-rich water in an indoor space such as a greenhouse or even a shipping container where elements such as temperature, moisture and light are controlled to reduce the time it takes to grow crops and to enable a year-round ...

Dear Reece, Apparently, a lot of olive oil is adulterated. This is extremely alarming. Could you tell me if the bulk oil at Karma is guaranteed to be what it says it is? In this vein, I have regular lunches with a friend, where we take turns hosting. He prepares lovely meals, but often with inexpensive ingredients. I have seen a large, cheap canister of olive oil sitting on his counter. How do I let someone know I am not comfortable consuming any meals with potentially unknown substances in t...