7 of Toronto’s best winter farmers markets

If you’re under the impression that all of Toronto’s farmers markets pack up and leave the city during the winter months - think again! Many of them are alive and thriving all winter long, connecting city dwellers with local growers and making it easy to enjoy fresh, seasonal foods from November to April.

These markets aren’t just serving up squash and jars of pickled veggies. You’ll find organic produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and maybe even a little live music. We’ve put together a list of the city’s best, organized by day, so you can enjoy fresh produce all year long!

Why is buying local better?

Shopping seasonally and eating locally means that produce travels a shorter distance between the farm and your kitchen table. This cuts down how much energy and fossil fuels are used to keep your food fresh in transit.

Eating locally supports the local food economy of producers, farmers, chefs, wineries, and breweries. These are all vital to the economic health of Ontario and Canada, contributing billions of dollars to our economy and creating thousands of jobs. The simple act of choosing to buy local from a farmers’ market has far-reaching effects for the province, our country, the environment, and your health!

It’s a common misconception that eating locally during the winter means surviving off pickled foods, but there are a ton of veggies in season at this time of year. In early winter, rhubarb, beets, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, garlic, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, peppers, potatoes, rutabaga, sprouts, squash, sweet potatoes, and even tomatoes are in season. You can find the full list of seasonal veggies and plenty of information on Foodland Ontario’s Availability Guide or at Edible Toronto.

Winter farmers’ markets in Toronto

Toronto has a farmers’ market for almost every day of the week running all winter long. It’s so easy to get fresh, local produce you’ll be asking yourself why you didn’t do it sooner.

MONDAY:

Sorauren Farmers’ Market: 3 pm - 7 pm (all year)

Sorauren Farmers' Market - via westendfood.coop

The West End Food Co-op is a staple in the Parkdale neighbourhood, and they’ve been instrumental in helping organize the Sorauren Farmers’ Market. Last January, their winter market returned to Sorauren Park to provide Parkdale with more local produce, baked goods, and organic products. The site of Sorauren Park was originally slated to become a garbage truck garage, but the Parkdale community organized and worked to turn it into a park instead!

WEDNESDAY:

Montgomery’s Inn Farmers’ Market: 2 pm - 6 pm (all year)

Left: Mimi BIzjak Right: Juliana Nogueira of Bizjak Farms at Montgomery’s Inn Farmers’ Market (Wednesdays from 2 to 6 pm) Photo: Sarah Hood

The 1840s-era historical inn opens its kitchen and tavern to local vendors, who feature fresh-baked bread, organic produce, cheese, meats, sausage, preserves, fresh pies, local honey, and other treats. The market usually has tastings and other activities, such as tours of the museum, which are free on market days! The museum is located at 4709 Dundas Street West.

THURSDAY:

Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers’ Market: 3 pm - 7 pm (all year)

Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers' Market - via dufferingrovemarket.ca

Head over to the park across from Dufferin Mall (873 Dufferin Street) to find fresh, local, and organic produce. The Market isn’t just about providing the city with local food, they’re also focused on building a direct connection between local organic farmers and consumers. The Market just launched the “Loyal Eaters Reward Card” to show their appreciation for regular customers, and introduced wood-fired oven baking and other food programs through the Centre for Local Research into Public Space (CELOS).

Toronto Botanical Garden Organic Farmers’ Market: 2 pm - 6 pm (all year)

Toronto Botanical Garden Organic Farmers' Market - via torontobotanicalgarden.ca

The winter doesn’t stop the Toronto Botanical Gardens’ Farmers’ Market - they just move indoors and continue to provide the city with healthy organic food from the farm. Pick up seasonal fruits, ready-to-eat foods, free-range eggs, grass-fed pork, maple syrup, jams, honey, soaps, personal-care products, candles, teas, seeds and grains, gluten-free baking and VQA wines. If you’ve got a green thumb, Toronto Master Gardeners are also on hand to provide advice.

SATURDAY:

Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market: 9 am - 1 pm (November 9 - April 30)

Evergreen Brick Works - via evergreen.ca

Evergreen Brick Works features 25 local farmers and producers. Their goal is to help people make healthier food choices and “create a food system that is ecologically and economically sustainable.” Head over to 550 Bayview Avenue to find local produce, fresh eggs, meats, cheeses, tastings, and some live music.

St. Lawrence Market: 5 am - 2 pm (all year)

St. Lawrence Market

Perhaps the city’s most popular farmers’ market, the St. Lawrence North Market has temporarily relocated to a space on Lower Jarvis, just south of the main building. Spend the morning stocking up on seasonal veggies, honey, fresh flowers, meats, cheeses, and baked goods before heading into the main market for a delicious lunch.

The Stop’s Farmers’ Market at Wychwood Barns: 8 am - 1 pm (all year)

The Stop’s Farmers’ Market is located at Artscape’s Wychwood Barns at St. Clair and Christie. The Market has evolved into a weekly community event, featuring local artisans and great music (in addition to tons of fresh locally sourced, organic food). Every week, over 1,500 people visit the market and stop into the Market Cafe for a soup and some dessert.

For more information on local produce and a complete list of the city’s Winter Farmers’ Markets, check out the Toronto Farmers’ Market Network. They are a great resource for information, recipes, and upcoming events.

Feature image: Toronto Botanical Garden Organic Farmers' Market - via torontobotanicalgarden.ca