| durhamregion.com This Week | Thursday, August 18, 2022 | 12 The story of how Tony Reid opened a new vegan food truck in Oshawa starts with his own journey into plant-based eating. Reid is a self-described foodie who was a pescatarian for years before going vegan to address some health issues. "I was worried I wouldn't be able to enjoy all the flavours and tastes that I loved," he says. "I know good food. When I turned into a vegan, I knew I was going to have to replicate the food I liked into a plant-based form." And that's exactly what you can find on the menu at Vegan Sol, which opened July 10 at Oshawa Food Truck Corral, 2867 Bridle Rd. N. Comfort foods like fried chick'n, pepper steak, barbecue wings and mac 'n' cheese are all there -- and all vegan. Reid, who learned to cook from his grandmother as a child, says it took work to develop plant-based versions of these dishes. Many use mushrooms as a base instead of soy, which is often the foundation for vegan meat alternatives. "I try to make the texture and flavour as close as I can so people don't feel like they're missing out," he says. "My slogan is 'Vegan Sol, food that awakens the soul.' This is food that's good for the body, the soul and the mind." Customer response has been enthusiastic -- Reid says popular menu items so far include jerk chick'n with rice and peas, fried chick'n, and chick'n and waffles. Vegan Sol also offers catering and will soon expand to meal plans. "I want to give people flavour-packed food that's nutritious and healthy. I have so many ideas of where to take the brand, this is just the beginning," Reid says. "I really want to stand out from other vegan takeout." Vegan Sol is one of several new food trucks in the lineup at Oshawa Food Truck Corral this season. Another new option is ZAPS Polish Street Food offering authentic zapiekanka, Polish pancakes and soups. We want to hear about your favourite places to eat in Durham! Old favourites, hidden gems, new restaurants opening, awesome food trucks. Send your great eats to reporter Jillian Follert at jfollert@durhamregion.com. NEW FOOD TRUCK DISHES UP PLANT-BASED COMFORT FOOD JILLIAN FOLLERT jfoller t@durhamregion.com FOOD AND DRINK VEGAN SOL OPENED JULY 10 AT OSHAWA FOOD TRUCK CORRAL Azam Reid helps out on his dad's Vegan Sol food truck at the Oshawa Food Truck Corral. The truck serves vegan Caribbean food including vegan fried chicken, pepper steak and curry plant-based beef. Susie Kockerscheidt/Metroland VEGAN SOL 2867 Bridle Rd. N., Oshawa vegansoltoronto.com facebook.com/ Vegan-Sol-104015962152974 @vegansol.to Tuesday to Sunday: 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. across Canada. Pickering ranked 24th on the list reporting an average monthly rent in May for a one-bedroom at $1,520, and 10th place for average monthly rent for a two-bedroom at $2,349. "It's kind of a bit of sticker shock for people who have lived in the community for a long time and have to figure something out," Danison said. Oshawa was 18th on the list of 35 cities for average monthly rent in May for a one-bedroom at $1,645, and 25th for average monthly rent for a two-bedroom at $1,916. "Year over year a one bedroom in Oshawa is up 5.5 per cent, a two bedroom is up 12.2 per cent," Dani- son said. In comparison, Toronto finished second on the list for a one-bedroom at $2,192, and for average monthly rent for a two-bedroom at $3,115. Danison said Rentals.ca bases its report on vacant units. "The numbers are not as big, but it's a lot more realistic picture of what renters are seeing when they are out trying to find the place," he said. Danison said there's a lot more demand as a result of interest rates, persistent inflation, supply chain issues, record-high immigration levels and employers' decisions about requiring in-office work. "There's just too many pressure points in terms of a lack of supply and creating demand: the immigration, the students and all the economic factors that are happening," he said. Durhamregion.com asked readers if they have been impacted by rent increases. Respondents wished to remain anonymous, but Facebook comments and email responses indicate it's a problem for residents across the region. One respondent said half of their pay goes to rent -- a 400 square-foot bachelor, in an older building with no elevator. Another said she and her husband have a combined income of $160,000 and excellent credit. "Were literally about to buy when COVID hit," she wrote. "Now stuck renting at $3,300 a (month) plus all utilities. Priced out of the area we grew up in, will need to move away from Toronto/GTA to buy when our youngest can move schools. Very frustrating." Some landlords weighed in as well. One said, "Our insurance rates have skyrocketed, our property taxes are up. What should we do? If I lower my rents I can't afford the mortgage." One Oshawa renter sent an email, stating he's a 64-year-old widower who pays $1,700 a month for a two-bedroom apartment in Oshawa. "I have tried to find something cheaper, but have not had any luck," he wrote. He would like to retire someday, but can't afford to as Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security are not enough to cover his current rent. The Rentals.ca 2022 Market Report, which shares 24 expert predictions and insights, states rents will continue to rise in most Canadian cities for the rest of 2022, according to Bullpen Research and Consulting and the Rentals.ca network forecast. "The daily pandemic news put the housing crisis in the background for a while," said Matt Danison, CEO of Rentals.ca Network, "But now as COVID-19 recedes, we are talking again about our lack of supply. This problem will keep rents on the rise in most of Canada for the rest of the year." STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With the cost of living on the rise, Durhamregion.com took a look at the numbers for rental units in the region. NEWS Continued from page 1 'THEY'RE HIGH AND THEY'RE ONLY GOING TO GET HIGHER' SCAN THE CODE to read more Durham news online. Paul Danison is the content director for Rentals.ca. Paul Danison photo