Local Charity NeighbourLink North York
Presents the 3rd Taste of North York Festival

Enjoy Delicious Food, Entertainment & Community Connections
(Toronto, ON) Tuesday, May 26, 2025—NeighbourLink North York, a charity and community
development organization based in Willowdale, is excited to announce the return of Taste of North York,
a Community and Food Festival where Torontonians can experience everything North York has to offer.
The festival is a vibrant celebration of the neighbourhood’s rich culture, diverse cuisine, and community
connections. This year Taste of North York moves to June 6-8 at Mel Lastman Square as a summer
kick-off for the city. It will feature a curated selection of food vendors, artisans, live performances, dance
workshops, local organizations, family-friendly activities, and more.
On Saturday, June 7th and Sunday, June 8th, NeighbourLink is hosting the Meet & Eat, where
participants can engage with dozens of local charities, non-profits, cultural organizations and clubs.
They’ll also be able to meet politicians from the local and federal government. NeighbourLink’s philosophy
is life is better when you know your neighbours and there will be several opportunities to get to know local
residents.
The festival will showcase dozens of diverse vendors and highlight the area’s cultural groups, including
the Chinese, Korean, Indian, Persian, Latin, Ukrainian, Caribbean, Tamil, Japanese, Vietnamese and
Filipino communities!
NeighbourLink is collaborating with local arts and cultural organizations to bring 22 hours of performances
to the square’s mainstage. In addition to bands and musical acts, attendees can immerse themselves in
the local cultures and interactive Bollywood, Latin, Persian, Swing Dance and Ukrainian dance. Saturday
will feature a Willowdale Battle of the Bands with local schools! There will be live art, caricature artists, a
robotic playing field, aerial hammocks, a family-friendly escape room, giant foosball, and plenty of other
activities to enjoy throughout the three-day festival.
The festival’s objectives include celebrating North York pride, welcoming residents from across the GTA to
explore this area and raising awareness about the work NeighbourLink and the other charities do in the
community.
Net profits from the event will go towards NeighbourLink’s food bank and community care programs that
support local children, families and seniors experiencing poverty and social isolation. Attendees are
invited to bring a non-perishable food item to fill a 32-division police cruiser. Food collected will support
NeighbourLink’s two food bank which supports over 300 North York families each month. Attendees have
the option to RSVP and make a tax-deductible donation at www.neighbourlink.org/taste

Taste of North York
Presented by NeighbourLink North York
Friday, June 6 – Sunday, June 8
Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge St)

Event Hours: Friday 6-10pm, Saturday 12-10 pm, Sunday 12-8pm

FREE ADMISSION
Learn more at Taste of North York June 6-8 | NeighbourLink

About NeighbourLink North York
Since 1994 NeighbourLink North York has been serving those struggling with poverty and social
isolation. We engage and empower neighbours to know and care for each other in practical, relational
and sustainable ways that give everyone the opportunity to live out their potential. In 2020, we welcomed
We Love Willowdale and the Willowdale Covid Response Network into our fold to continue the
important community work that is being done in our neighbourhood. Learn more at Community Development | NeighbourLink North York, Toronto

MEDIA CONTACT
Sebastian Biasucci
NeighbourLink North York
sebastian@neighbourlink.org
(416) 221-8283 ext 7
C: (416) 419-8721