With summer days just around the corner, it’s time to start stocking up on everything you’ll need for summer—fresh fruit to cool you down on even the hottest days, stunning florals to make the garden pop, and artisanal cheese for picnics in the park. Luckily, farmers’ markets have everything you’ll need and they’ve started opening up around the city.
Check out some of our favourite outdoor markets to find culinary gems this season.
Sorauren Market
This market that offers the freshest foods from local sustainable farms promises to be the best way to start your week. It might even have you looking forward to Mondays. Beyond the farmers’ market, Sorauren Market is a hub that will give the Roncesvalles community a space to learn about gardening and sustainable planting while listening to live local talent. The market is even giving back to the community by offering the chance for a new farmer to be mentored through the BIPOC New Farmer Initiative. Beginning May 23rd, check back each week to see the growth found in their new herb and native pollinator bed next to Sorauren Park’s pizza oven.
Every Tuesday rain or shine, Torontonians can find one of the city’s favourite farmer’s markets in Trinity Bellwoods Park. The market, which is already open and runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. until the end of October, will provide the neighbourhood with some local and seasonal ingredients for cooking at home. Purveyors include Aldergrove Farm, Monforte Dairy, Footstep Organic and plenty more. Trinity Bellwoods will also be offering up artisan prepared foods, like Prairie Boy Bread, and wineries and ciders to take home, like Kinsip House of Fine Spirits.
Located in Mel Lastman Square, North York Farmers’ Market runs on Thursdays from May 19 to October 27. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., farmers will put their freshest, seasonal offerings on display, from rhubarb in the summer to squash in the fall. Vendors include Port Perry’s Willowtree Farms, Mad Mexican, and McManus Maple Syrup from Cavan. It’s a one-stop shop for cooking the perfect summer meal.
Leslieville Farmers’ Market
This Sunday, the Leslieville Farmers’ Market is beginning its season in Greenwood Park. This market is all about educating the neighbourhood on nutrition and sustainable food practices and breaking down the barrier for access to fresh, seasonal goods. Vendors range from farmers like Albion Farms, Fifthtown Artisan Cheese, and The Greenery, to producers like Alma Bakery & Food Co., ChocoSol Traders and Petite Thuet. A market wouldn’t be as fun without bringing home a drink to sip on and luckily Leslieville Farmer’s Market has everything from breweries including Indie Ale House to wineries like Southbrook Vineyards.
While the Saturday Farmers Market operates year-round, it’s already time for their outdoor season, which started at the beginning of May. The Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market hosts over 60 local farmers, producers, entrepreneurs and chefs sharing the best ingredients and promoting a healthy community. Products found at Evergreen’s Farmers Market range from baked goods to artisanal meat and fish, wineries, dairy products and more. How else to celebrate delicious food than by overlooking the land that grows it? With views of the Don Valley River, this market is a great way to spend an easy Saturday morning.
This summer, The Junction Farmers’ Market will be back every Saturday in their new, larger location at Baird Park. Grab a crispy fresh apple from Oakridges Finest, a sweet berry pie from Sunday Morning Pie (on a Saturday!) and an artisanal chardonnay from Leaning Post all in one prime and spacious location. Catch it all summer every Saturday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. beginning May 21.
Dufferin Grove offers one of the longest-running markets in the city since its first in 2002, but now it runs a little different. Customers will have to place an order through the online market before noon on Tuesday. Then, when the vendors are in on Thursday, you can then have them delivered straight to your door for a fee or you can pick them up in a designated timeslot from Dufferin Grove Park. But, starting May 19, the market will return to the in-person format while continuing the online delivery format.
This one won’t be open until June 14, but we’re sure it’ll be worth the wait and a top choice for Tuesday markets this summer. Located at Riverdale West Park with stunning views of the Don Valley River, the Cabbagetown Market aims to connect the community with local sustainable food products. Some of the vendors include the Ridge Maple Syrup, City Girl Greens, and Forbes Wild Foods.
Starting July 3, Little Jamaica will host a group of 24 vendors on both Saturdays and Sundays. The website notes that the farmers’ market will offer “culturally appropriate fruits and vegetables from the Caribbean islands and continental African countries, along with a healthy mix of clean produce grown by our local urban farmers from the diaspora.” While the vendors haven’t officially been announced yet, we expect some of the city’s beloved Caribbean spots to be involved, and rumours have swirled that this market would set the backdrop for a Randy’s Patties comeback.
This new farmers’ market focuses on Black and Indigenous vendors. It debuted at the beginning of the month, and focuses on combating inequalities in food systems by circulating money within Black and Indigenous communities. Until September 25, it will take place every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 455 Cosburn Avenue, right by Donlands Station.”Our market will be a place where our community can teach, learn and connect with one another – to share their different cultures through their food,” the website says.
