PHOTO: SHANNON KELLY
Farmer’s markets explode in summer in Toronto, but many run year-round, too. Find produce in every colour of the rainbow, plus live music at many markets. Even when the weather turns colder, you can find fresh apple cider, garlic, greens, and root vegetables, plus wild game, cheese, honey, and fresh-baked bread. Vendors are subject to change.
We love these markets for their kid-friendly attractions and locations. They aren’t just place to stock up on fruits and veggies: they make for a fun morning or entire day with the family.
The Stop Farmer’s Market at Wychwood Barns
This always crowded market has more than 30 vendors and live music, coffee, and baked goods. Count on tons of produce and seasonally themed prepared foods.
Parent tip: There’s a splash pad for kids on-site, picnic tables, and an adjacent dog run. The market is stroller-friendly.
Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St.
Year-round, Sat. 8–noon
thestop.org/the-stop’s-farmers’-market
Sorauren Farmer’s Market
It’s no surprise that this market, run by the West End Food Co-Op is uber-family-friendly, given its location in Roncesvalles Village. Expect live music in warm weather. There are more than 20 farms, plus wild game, baked goods, wine, green smoothies, made-to-order foods, fresh yogurt, more.
Parent tip: Go for Monday-night dinner to take the edge off the first day of the work- and school-week. Sorauren Playground, which has a wading pool, is just across the street.
Sorauren Park, 50 Wabash Ave.
Year-round, Mon. 3–7
westendfood.coop/farmers-market
St. Lawrence Market: North Market
If you’ve got early risers, why not head to one of the city’s best farmer’s markets? Opening at the crack of dawn on Saturday, the market has a organic produce of all kinds, rarities you won’t find at other markets, coffee beans, sheep’s milk cheese, wild elk, fresh bread, and 80+ antiques dealers. It’s the city’s oldest market, too, in operation since 1803.
Parent tip: Grab ready-made food and produce for a picnic lunch and then pop over to the Corktown Commons playground and splash pad.
Northwest corner of Front and Jarvis Sts. (market will move a block south during renovations, estimated to begin late 2014)
Year-round, Sat. 5 am–3 pm
www.stlawrencemarket.com
Toronto Botanical Gardens Farmer’s Market
Outdoors in Edwards Gardens in summer, indoors in winter, in the main lobby or Garden Hall. Find prepared foods by Good Food for Good and others, plus preserves, honey, and dried fruit and nuts, and natural beauty products.
Parent tip: The many gardens at TBG include a Teaching Garden for kids. Check out frequent Family Fun events, too.
777 Lawrence Ave. E.
Year-round, Thu. 2–7 pm
torontobotanicalgarden.ca
Riverdale Park Farmer’s Market
Find produce from local farms, sheep’s-milk cheese and yogurt, fresh-baked doughnuts, tofu, and more at this seasonal Cabbagetown market.
Parent tip: The market is next to Riverdale Farm, where kids can visit with pigs, cows, goats, chickens, and horses. The park has a wading pool and picnic tables.
Riverdale Park, Sumach and Winchester Sts.
Late May-mid-Oct., Thu. 3–7 pm
www.rpfarmersmarket.org
Evergreen Brick Works Farmer’s Market
This huge market has up to 70 vendors, artisans, and chefs on Saturdays. The Sunday market is smaller, with about 30 vendors, but is market brunch day. Look for fruit and veg, dairy, meat and fish, condiments and preserves, flowers, wine and craft beer (seasonal), beverages and baked goods. There’s also live music, tastings, DIY presentations and workshops (e.g. canning, growing an herb garden).
For parents: In addition to organized activities like a kids’ nature club and kids’ cooking workshops, there are ponds and hiking and biking trails, a Children’s Garden, nature centre, and, in winter, a skating rink.
550 Bayview Ave.
Year-round:
May–Oct. Sat. 8–1, late June–Oct. Sun 10–3, Nov.–Apr. Sat. 9–1
www.evergreen.ca
Dufferin Grove Farmer’s Market
With live music, lots of space to set out blankets and picnic tables set up family-style, this market is a great place to commune with your neighbours. Vendors include local beef, cheese, honey, flowers, and produce. On the north end of the park and in the rink house in winter.
Parent tip: Dufferin Grove Park is home to a fantastic playground with cool play structures, plus a huge (20×40’) sand pit Adventure Playground for mini excavators and a wading pool.
875 Dufferin St.
Year-round, Thu. 3–7
dufferinpark.ca
The Leslieville Farmer’s Market
This young market (in its third year) has weekly musicians and 30+ vendors selling everything from fresh-made waffles and local seafood, as well as lots of organic veggies, fruits, and herbs.
Parent tip: The park where the market takes place has a playground and wading pool. Make a day of it by walking or cycling across Lake Shore Boulevard to Ahsbridge’s Bay Park and Woodbine Beach.
Jonathan Ashbridges Park, 20 Woodward Ave.
May–Oct., Sun. 9–2
leslievillemarket.com
