# Healthy Alternative Comfort Foods Toronto's Parka Food Co. Gives Favorite Foods a Gourmet Makeover By Amy Duong | Published 2018-05-02 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parka-food References: [parkafoodco](https://www.parkafoodco.com) Toronto's Queen Street West is the location of Parka Food Co., where [comfort food classics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grilled-cheese-restaurant) receive healthy and wholesome makeovers. All of the food on Parka Food Co's menu is [100% vegan](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sushi-momo), packed with fresh vegetables and high-quality ingredients. The story of the restaurant sparked from a passion for opening the very best vegan restaurant and home of the [best vegan burger](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dr-praegers-grillhouse-burger). It was not driven by monetary motivation, but rather the drive to create a positive impact and encourage healthier life choices. The mission of Parka is simply a commitment to sustainability and making it a fun experience to eat well. This led to the idea of delivering familiar comfort foods from a different angle -- an angle that is good for the consumer's health. Parka Food aims to use local sources as much as possible, reduce its food and landfill waste, use sustainable packaging and cook with natural ingredients. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 50% | Activity: 63% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Healthy Comfort Food:** There is a growing trend of offering delicious, plant-based comfort food options that utilize high-quality, whole food ingredients to support a healthy lifestyle. - **Sustainable Restaurants:** More and more restaurants are committing themselves to sustainable practices, such as reducing waste, sourcing locally and utilizing eco-friendly packaging. - **Vegan Fast-casual:** The success of restaurants like Parka demonstrates a growing demand for plant-based, fast-casual dining options that deliver both convenience and health benefits. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Food Service:** Food service businesses have an opportunity to innovate by incorporating plant-based, whole food ingredients into classic comfort foods to appeal to health-conscious consumers. - **Sustainable Packaging:** The use of sustainable packaging in the food industry is a growing trend that presents a significant opportunity for innovation and environmentally conscious practices. - **Vegan Food Manufacturing:** With a rising demand for vegan and plant-based options, there is a potential for new players to enter the market and innovate in the manufacturing of vegan food products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Soft-Pink Wellness Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yorkville-village.md) - [Elevated Vegan Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/community-resto.md) - [Minimal-Ingredient Vegan Proteins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/preposterous-foods.md) - [Nostalgic Vegan Fast Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mr-charlies.md) - [House-Made QSR Veggie Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aw-plantbased-burger.md) - [Limited-Edition Meatless Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chikn-parm.md) - [Wholesome Vegan Lasagnas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-lasagnas.md) - [Plant-Based Coupon Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-coupon.md) - [Meat-Free Frozen Appetizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-frozen-appetizers.md)