By José Gonzalez
Skip the supermarket and get your food directly from the source! Seasonal produce, dairy products and other farm-fresh goods make their way into the city, letting urban dwellers take advantage of Southern Ontario's rich farming community. There are dozens of farmers’ markets held around Toronto, so bookmark this list and get ready to try them all! [Photo credit: Luis Albuqerque]
One of three farmers’ markets under the MyMarket banner, this market verifies that all its sellers only offer their own produce, so there aren't any re-sellers on site. This market launched in 2007 and participating farmers involved are from around Ontario's Greenbelt.
Located right in the heart of downtown, this market not only includes fresh produce, but food vendors and live music. For those working nearby, you can stop by for a warm lunch, and then pick up a few vegetables to take home for dinner. It opens early if you prefer to do your shopping at sunrise.
Available on campus at Ryerson University, you'll find university students bumping shoulders with downtown shoppers looking to get some fresh produce. Being located downtown, it's right next to Dundas Station, making it an easy commute if you're planning on visiting from another part of the city, and it's probably a lot faster than trying to find a parking spot downtown.
St. Lawrence Market Farmers’ Market
Toronto's historic St. Lawrence Market hosts a weekly farmers’ market, meaning you can pair your produce with many of the gourmet offerings found throughout the rest of the market. The convenient location in downtown Toronto also means you can get to it from most other parts of the city via transit.
Nathan Phillips Square Farmers’ Market
Farmers pull up to City Hall on Wednesdays to offer some of the freshest produce around. Throughout the summer there is a rotating lineup of food vendors offering a variety of tasty lunches for anyone in the area.
This Tuesday market outside SickKids offers vegetables, fruits, baked goods, jams, cheeses, meats, honey, flowers and herbs. Depending on the weather, this market may run until October, though check the Facebook page to be sure it's still open.
Another MyMarket famers market, this one also promises that all the produce comes directly from each of the farmers on site, so none of the vendors here are reselling crops produced by someone else's farm.
Evergreen Brick Works Farmers' Market
The summer edition of this popular market features seasonal crops from 25 vendors, all from ecologically and economically sustainable farms. In addition to the farmers markets on Saturday, a new Sunday market features a unique lineup of vendors each week, offering locally made foods and items.
A dozen or so tents line the grass in front of the East York Civic Centre, with a variety of tasty Ontario crops for sale. You can find various fresh fruits alongside baked goods, including bread and cookies.
This market includes more than a dozen vendors offering fresh produce, half a dozen selling baked goods, and another half dozen specialty vendors offering honey, ice pops, chocolate, wild foods and teas. One of this market's goals is to include a number of new farmers and to create a space that welcomes everyone.
Fairmount Park Farmers' Market
This community run market includes corn, tomatoes and all the other fresh produce you'd expect from a farmers' market. You can also enjoy the park while you're there, and use its cycle path, playground, swimming pool and ping pong table. There's also a dog park, so you bring along your pet to enjoy the afternoon with you.
Held rain or shine, this market promises no genetically modified foods, produce or ingredients in prepared foods. There is an even split of produce and prepared foods, and several Ontario wineries offering some of their finest vintages.
Annette Village Farmers' Market
Originally hosted at the Creme Fraiche Market Cafe in 2012, this market has grown into a new location at the Runnymede Presbyterian Church. This market enjoys connecting the residents in the neighbourhood with local food producers.
This farmers' market has a rotating lineup of vendors, so it's worth going back each week. Occasionally, you can find out about special pop-up vendors on the market's Twitter feed.
Trinity Bellwoods Farmers' Market
Fueled by volunteers and a promise of slow food over fast food, this market is only open to participants via invitation. To be considered, vendors are not permitted to use genetically modified organisms, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or engage in crop re-selling. All foods must also be locally sourced from Ontario farms.
Featuring a number of organic and artisinal crops, this market also features live music and is open year round. Each weekend the market welcomes more than 1,500 visitors, making it a popular attraction in the community. There's also a cafe that includes breakfasts, soups, sandwiches and desserts.
Located in one of the trendier neighbourhoods in the city, this is your safest bet for fresh produce in Liberty Village. None of the vendors here are reselling crops, so you're getting it fresh from the ground and onto your plate.
Dufferin Grove Farmers' Market
This farmers' market is a reliable option for farm fresh produce, running all year whether there's snow on the ground or not. That said, you'll probably find a few more options during the summer, but regardless of season the offerings are promised to be local and organic.
Montgomery’s Inn Farmers' Market
Local organic produce is available alongside freshly baked bread, fresh from the Inn's wood-fired oven. You can also purchase meat and cheese, which is enough to prepare a tasty sandwich right on the spot. Tours of the Inn are free on market days, and you can also sample some of the foods on offer.
This market has a healthy menu with fruit, vegetables, farm-fresh eggs, baked goods, honey, deli meats, cheese, locally grown mushrooms and more. Held in a parking lot, it'll make things easier if you bring your car to load up on food.
Although it's held year round, it's only outdoors from mid-May to October. In addition to the fresh produce for sale, there's also live entertainment and kids’ activities. The market can be supported through a membership and bonds.
Humber Bay Shores Farmers' Market
This market includes nearly 30 vendors selling freshly grown produce, dairy products, deli-meats, baked goods and wines. There are a few specialty vendors too, including a knife shop and seafood stall.
Enjoy a taste of fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, baked goods and more. The proceeds raised by this market go back into the community and fund a number of projects throughout Mississauga.
Throughout this market's run there are a number of special events and live entertainment to amp up your shopping experience. There's also freshly grilled barbecue if you're craving something hot off the grill.
The original AppleTree Market, started back in 2008, now has moved from its latest home to front lawn of St. Clements Church to X. It's still looking for a permanent home, so take advantage of the location while it's there.
This market has been running since 2011, bringing a taste of the farm to residents of Davisville. The AppleTree markets are designed to provide a meeting place for families, friends and businesses. They're also happy to welcome friendly visitors too.
Though held year-round, there are a handful of vendors only available in the summer selling flowers, prepared vegan dishes and teas. Winery vendors also only appear in the summer. You can also find a generous number of vendors selling produce and baked goods year-round.
Locally grown fruits and vegetables are joined by honey, flowers, herbs, preserves and baked goods at this market. Held in Mel Lastman Square, this market is very easily accessed by public transit through the North York Centre station.
Weston Village Farmers' Market
This market features a number of vendors offering crops taken fresh from the farm. There's also plenty of music, a play area for kids and special events throughout the summer and fall.
Note: This market is moving to the new Artscape Weston space in 2018.
