Farmers’ Markets

Building a Toronto Farmers' Market Network

FoodShare has been funded by the Project for Public Spaces (PPS) to lead a strategic visioning process to build a Toronto Farmers Market Network to support local agriculture, increase healthy food access and enhance public spaces in Toronto. Our leading project partners in this project are the Afri-Can FoodBasket, Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers Market, Stonegate Community Health Centre, Stonegate Community Ecumenical Ministry and the Toronto Food Policy Council.

In the network building process we want to develop strategies to address some of the big questions: How can we improve the viability of current markets – both for farmers and for organizers? What is the most sustainable way for new markets to get started? How can markets contribute to the viability of farming and farmland preservation? What are workable models that bridge the needs of diverse low-income communities and farmers?

The other component of the project is to expand our pilot Good Food Markets in partnership with community organizations – which bring a mix of local and imported produce to neighbourhoods that have little access to grocery stores.

For more information about the Toronto Farmers' Market Network visit the TFMN website.

Markets Grow Community

Seasonal or year-round, indoors or open-air, in neighbourhood parks, market halls and parking lots – farmers’ markets across Toronto are bringing fresh, local seasonal food to the city.

Markets are a hive of activity. Neighbours say hello, swap recipes and gardening tips. Kids bite into the season’s first strawberries. And farmers introduce you to new tastes you won’t find in the supermarket.

For a list of market locations, click here.

What can I expect to find at the market?

Each market has a unique mix of vendors selling their products directly to consumers:

• fruits and vegetables
  
• meat, poultry, fish
  
• herbs, honey, garlic
  
• eggs, cheese
  
• artisan bread, baked goods
  
• plants, flowers
  
• preserves, jams & jellies
  
• and much more!

Often there are street foods to snack on and prepared dishes you can take home. People of many cultures and all ages socialize and eat together.

Some markets are exclusively organic and some are a mix of organic and conventional foods. You can ask the farmers how they grow the foods they sell - they’ll be happy to talk about it!

Who benefits?

Markets create vibrant public spaces where communities can come together in a friendly, social atmosphere.

Meeting the farmer reconnects shoppers with the source of their food.

Reduced food miles (the distance food travels from farm to plate) contributes to a healthier environment.

Local businesses benefit as more people shop in the vicinity of the market on market days.

Farmers benefit as markets provide a direct sales outlet which helps to preserve our farmland.