If you’re in the market to eat local this season – nourishing your body and supporting the livelihood of local growers in the process – it couldn’t be simpler to do so.
Despite being surrounded by concrete and skyscrapers, it’s possible to shop straight from the farm in Toronto this season. In recent years, no shortage of farmers’ markers have popped up in the city that remain neighbourhood staples – this year with appropriate COVID-19 restrictions in place.
Whether you live in Parkdale, midtown, or in the east end, you have a goodness-packed farmers’ market to call your local until the crisp air starts to roll in.
Farmers’ Markets In Central Downtown Toronto
1. Farmers’ Market at Evergreen Brick Works
Where: Evergreen Brick Works
When: Saturdays, 8 am to 1 pm
The nature-surrounded Evergreen Brick Works features the largest farmers’ market in the city, offering the widest variety of seasonal and local food in Toronto. It draws a loyal clientele each Saturday, who often stay for lunch or a nature walk. This year, the market strongly encourages online orders to make lives easier for farmers – and for a quicker customer experience.
2. Nathan Phillips Square Farmers’ Market
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto City Hall
When: Wednesdays, 9 am to 1 pm (rain or shine), until October 21, 2020
The home of Toronto’s political move-makers also features a jam-packed farmers’ market every Wednesday morning. Here, you’ll find everything from fresher-than-fresh strawberries and juicy peaches, to fabulous flowers, preserves, and sweet treats.
3. Bloor/Borden Farmers’ Market
Where: The Green P parking lot on Lippincott south of Bloor
When: Wednesdays, 3 pm to 7 pm, until October 21, 2020
The Annex dwellers have locally-produced goodness within walking distance at the Bloor/Borden Farmers’ Market. In light of COVID-19, this year, the popular farmers’ market is operating on a ‘click and collect’ system.
Farmer’s Markets In Toronto’s West End
4. Trinity Bellwoods Farmers’ Market
Where: Dundas and Shaw, northwest end of Trinity Bellwoods Park
When: Tuesdays, 3pm to 7pm (rain or shine), until October 27, 2020
A weekly farmers’ market has returned to Queen West’s colourful Trinity Bellwoods Park this season, complete with the addition of COVID-19-inspired safety measures. The Trinity Bellwoods Farmers’ Market offers up farm-fresh produce, just-baked bread, artisanal grocery items, and even wine.
5. Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market
Where: Online, with pick-up at the St. Anne’s Church parking lot (270 Gladstone Ave)
When: Order 12pm Saturday-12 pm Tuesday; pickup in time slots 12:40-5:30 on Thursday
The neighbourhood staple Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market is still offering farm-fresh goodness, but has pivoted operations this year. In light of COVID-19, the farmers’ market has become a web store, where customers can order online and ether pickup their groceries or have them delivered.
6. Sorauren Farmers’ Market
Where: Sorauren Park
When: Mondays, 3 pm to 7 pm
The vibrant Sorauren Farmers’ market returns this year with all of its colourful offerings and COVID-19 measures in place. Here, you’ll find local fruits and veggies, fresh-baked bread, fresh fish, baked goods, and more. While most of the vendors are now set up to accept tap payment, 99 per cent of the vendors are still accepting cash (don’t forget the hand sanitizer).
7. Humber Bay Shores Farmers’ Market
Where: Humber Bay Park West
When: Saturdays, 9 am to 2 pm, until mid-October
Humber Bay Park West fills with fresh produce, meat, herbs, cheeses, preserves, juices and more each Saturday for the Humber Bay Shores Farmers’ Market. Presented by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association, the market attracts both local residents and fresh food-craving visitors.
Farmer’s Markets In Toronto’s East End
8. St. Lawrence Farmers’ Market
Where: The St. Lawrence Market South
When: Saturdays, 5 am to 3 pm, year-round
The site of Toronto’s oldest – and most iconic – market offers up fresh produce from local producers at the St. Lawrence Market’s Farmers’ Market starting bright and early each Saturday morning. Complementing the larger market across the street, the farmers’ market offers fresh food and conversation with food producers across southern Ontario.
9. East York Farmers’ Market
Where: East York Civic Centre
When: Tuesdays, 8 am to 2 pm
The beloved East York Farmers’Market retuned to the grounds of the East York Civic Centre in July, with new safety measures in place. Here, you’ll find all of the local cheese, fresh fruit, and free-range eggs your heart desires.
10. Leslieville Farmers’ Market
Where: Jonathan Ashbridge Park
When: Sundays, 9 am to 2 pm, until October
The vibrant Leslieville Farmers’ Market adds the option of a goodness-packed Sunday funday to the colourful Leslieville neighbourhood. This year, the open-air market offers the option of ordering online and picking up.
11. Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market
Where: Riverdale Park West
When: Tuesdays, 3 pm to 7 pm, until October
The neighbourhood-uniting Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market returned mid-July to offer fresh sustainable foods from local producers, with an emphasis on southern Ontario. Set in the breezy and sprawling Riverdale Park West, the farmers’ market provides a welcome change of scenery to close out your Tuesday.
Farmer’s Markets In Uptown Toronto
12. North York Farmers’ Market
Where: Mel Lastman Square
When: Thursdays, 9 am to 1 pm, until October 29
The North York Farmers’ Market fills North York’s Mel Lastman Square with fresh fruit, vegetables, produce, local honey, flowers, herbs, and baked goods each Thursday morning until the end of October.
*Because COVID-19 means uncertain times, be sure to check your local market’s websites and social media handles before heading over, as hours may shift.
2 Comments
Bryson Fico
April 6, 2021 at 4:02 pmVisiting farmer’s markets is one of our favorite things to do when visiting any city. Thank you for laying out all the options in Toronto so nicely. The dates and times are helpful.
Solmaz
April 11, 2021 at 3:53 pmAmazing! Ours too. Definitely make sure to check websites/social media before heading over as they keep changing due to the pandemic. Let me know which one is your favourite 🙂