TORONTO – The first-ever halal food festival in Canada has drawn record-breaking crowds, showing the diversity of the marketplace in a major North American city.
“Halal Food Fest TO is dedicated to the halal food scene, and hopes to showcase the variety and diversity that makes Toronto what it is,” Salima Jivraj, Marketing Director of the Halal Food Fest, told OnIslam.net.
“We’re hoping that the food festival inspires and encourages more businesses to look into halal alternatives – it’s also a way for us to educate the general public about halal food.”
The festival, held at the International Center in Toronto, was overwhelmed by thousands of visitors who came from the Greater Toronto Area, as well as from cities across Canada, and from as far as the US.

Lineups wrapped around the 100,000 sq ft facility as attendees had to wait as long as 2 hours on Saturday to gain admittance to the festival.
“I am very pleased to see a flourishing halal food industry in Ontario,” said Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, in an official message to the festival.
“Its growth has supported local farmers and businesses, and given consumers more choice.

“Beyond that, halal food is an expression of the vibrant multicultural society that we have built together,” Wynne said.
The two-day event showcased over 60 food booths in a well-planned Sample City and attendees had a chance to try a wide variety of cuisines from around the world.
Visitors also enjoyed seminars, demonstrations and competitions at a Community Stage and were able to take part in cheese-tasting seminars hosted throughout the festival by the Dairy Farmers of Canada.
There were interactive exhibits, a Street Fest with more food booths, a large children’s area and another outdoor stage where chefs provided cooking demonstrations with halal food products.
“We are so proud to sponsor the first Canadian Halal Food Festival and support the diverse needs of Canadians with a variety of wholesome, high quality, hand slaughtered halal chicken that our consumers can enjoy,” says Pam Kellogg, Sr. Marketing Director of Mina Foods.

The festival also featured popular comedian Azhar Usman and up-and-coming nasheed performers, Mustaqeem.
Visitors also had the chance to give back to the community by donating non-perishable items to a local charity, Muslim Welfare Center.

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