It’s going to be a late growing season in 2014, but soon enough the rain showers, sunny hours, and sweltering days will be upon us. Whenever that decides to happen – hopefully sooner than later – Toronto’s many marvelous farmers markets will be in full swing (even though lots run year round). Here are a few of the best farmers’ markets by area to enjoy the (eventual) abundance of Ontario’s produce, preserves, poultry, prosciutto, and the plethora of goods from our hard working local farmers…
The North (Anywhere North of Bloor)
AppleTree Uptown Market
Thursdays, May to October from 11am to 7pm
Located in the Canada Post building at Yonge Street and Montgommery Avenue, the original incarnation of the AppreTree markets sells a variety of preserves, fresh fruit, baked goods, and cheese, as well as BioVision Farm Organic Meats and Marigold Maple Syrup. You can find a similar selection at its sister market, Davisville Village Farmers’ Market, that runs on Tuesdays, or the Ryerson University Farmers’ Market that rolls out on Wednesdays.
The Stop’s Farmers’ Market
Saturdays from 8am to 12pm, Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street
Another year-round installment at Wychwood Barns, this praised haven for locavores features over 40 vendors a week and has one of the best combinations of exceptional produce to take home and prepared delights to indulge in on-site.
Downtown (East of Bathurst, West of Jarvis, South of Bloor)
St. Lawrence Market North Farmers Market
Saturdays from 5am to 3pm, St. Lawrence Market, 92 Front Street East
The year-round market plays host to a slew of the city’s top producers, who dole out artisan cheeses, organic coffee, grass fed meats, foraged mushrooms, and holistic health products.
INDULGE Farmers’ Market
Thursdays, May to October from 8am to 2:30pm, 55 John Street
Downtown office dwellers can get their local fix on their lunch break at David Pecaut Square near King and John Streets. Rhubarb and raspberries, sausage rolls and smoked meat, specialty mushrooms and sweet Staites Honey. It’s a treat for the ears, too, with live music from 12:30pm to 1:30pm.
West Side (West of Bathurst, South of Bloor)
MyMarket Liberty Village
Sundays, June 1st to November 27th from 10am to 2pm, Green P on Hanna Street
One of four locations, MyMarket is Canada’s first certified local farmers’ market, started in 2007. Here you can find a host of free-range eggs, organic meats, cheeses, berries, and prepared foods to cook at home.
Sorauren Farmers’ Market
Mondays from 3pm to 7pm, Sorauren Park, 50 Wabash Avenue
Part of the West End Food Co-Op, this organic and sustainable food market near Landsdowne and Dundas has been dishing out everything from Bizjak Farms’ pears and peaches to Deer Valley venison, since 2008.
East End (East of Jarvis, South of Bloor)
The Leslieville Farmers’ Market
Sundays, May 25th to October 26th from 9am to 2pm, Jonathan Ashbridge Park
Now in its fourth year, this east end market boasts a myriad of fresh local goodies, like foraged edibles from Forbes Wild Foods, sustainable community-grown produce from Afri-Can Foodbasket, and delicious goats’ milk dairy products from Crosswind Farms.
Withrow Park Famers’ Market
Saturdays, late May to late October from 9am to 1pm, Withrow Park
A project of the Centre for Local Food Initiatives, they first kicked off in 2006. A true non-profit community venture, the Danforth area market melds everything from fish from Hooked Inc. to baked goods by St. John’s Bakery.
Of course, there are many more fantastic farmers’ markets in Toronto to visit. If you’re looking for one in your area, comment below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe and we’ll let you know where to find one.