City Freshness

It’s not quite May 24 yet, but since the long weekend has passed, it’s OK to wear white. We just don’t recommend wearing it to one of the glorious farmer’s markets now open throughout the GTA (and beyond) for this bountiful season.

We were thrilled with the opening last year of the Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market which is opening its doors this Saturday, May 24. The fabulous assortment of organic fruits, vegetables, wild fish, meat, cheese, milled flours, eggs and oils are all open to the public starting from 8 am – 1 pm.

According to our sources there were an average 1,400 people at the market each Saturday last year so get there early if you want the good stuff. (The line up for fresh coffee starts early too!) We like the pond and nature trails behind the market where the kids (and parents) can play après-shopping or go for a bike ride and pretend they are far away even though they are right in the middle of the city.

We learned that many of the same organic farmers who travel to the Brick Works on Saturday visit other areas of the city throughout the summer as well. On Tuesday evenings from 3 – 7 pm, Riverdale Farm hosts a lovely farmers’ market where families are encouraged to bring plates and cutlery and enjoy a family picnic. A wood oven with weekly pizzas and salads will keep burning while you shop and Chris and Lesley of Daily Apple will be selling their delicious homemade treats as well as running children’s fitness programs through the park. Sounds like a perfect summer family evening to us.

Lesley and Chris will also be busy on Wednesday nights at their own park in North Toronto at 35 Lytton Blvd. (at Duplex) where The Daily Apple Centre is located. This will be the first farmers’ market in the ‘hood and it starts on Wednesday, June 4. There will be activities for the kids and lots of fresh local meats, produce and treats from local farmers every Wednesday night for the rest of the summer.

If that soccer schedule has kept you from the market earlier in the week, check out the Dufferin Grove market on Thursdays from 3 – 7 pm. Dufferin Grove Park holds this market all year long but it really comes to life in the spring and summer months when the vendors move outside, the wood burning oven lights up for pizzas and fresh bread and the kids have a place to run around.

Too busy to make the weeknight markets in the city? We understand. Take a trip to Mennonite country on the weekend for a change. At the St Jacobs’ Country Market on Saturdays as early as 7 am, you’ll find lots to do (and buy) for the whole family. From farm fresh produce to the petting zoo, we think it’s worth the drive. If the gang has any energy left over after checking out the market’s abundance, visit the Mennonite Story Visitor Centre or the Maple Syrup Museum in St Jacobs.

But that’s not all the T-dot has to offer those looking for local produce. There are a host of new markets that have popped up all over the city and there is bound to be one near you. Have a look here for a complete listing of markets in the city. For more markets throughout the province of Ontario, check here.

So the next time you find yourself wondering what to do, remember that little piggy. But also remember that the little piggy needs cash (credit and debit are rarely accepted) when shopping at the market before going all the way home.

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