Organic Farmers' Markets and Grocers in Toronto
Where to Buy Organic Vegetables, Meat, and Produce in the GTA
Jun 24, 2009
Spurred by the green living revolution, the popularity of organic food has hit unprecedented heights. As witness to this, Toronto now offers a variety of places to buy organic groceries. Buying organic is definitely a healthier choice for families and individuals, as well as to the environment.
Food that is "certified organic" must contain at least 95 per cent organic ingredients, be grown without the use of synthetically-compounded pesticides, synthetically-compounded fertilizers, anti-growth hormones, antibiotics, and genetically-modified organisms. For more information on organic certification, read here. The following locations offer certified organic food in Toronto:
Organic Farmers' Markets Toronto
- Trinity Bellwoods Farmers' Market, 1053 Dundas Street West (Dundas and Shaw), operates from May 12 to October 27, 2009 on Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The market vendors sell organic vegetables, organic fruit, organic eggs and cheeses, organic breads, and organic flowers.
- Evergreen Brick Works Farmers' Market, 550 Bayview Avenue, between the Prince Edward Viaduct and Pottery Road, runs from May 23, 2009 to mid December, 2009 on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Organic food for sale includes beef, lamb, wild fish, cheese, heirloom vegetables and edible flowers. The Market offers a shuttle bus service from Broadview Station every Saturday morning.
- Dufferin Grove Farmers' Market, 875 Dufferin Street, south of Bloor, 416-392-0913, operates a year-round market every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. outside the rinkhouse in the summer and inside the rinkhouse in the winter. Visitors will find mainly organic fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, cheeses, bread and specialty foods.
- Riverdale Farm Farmers' Market, Riverdale Park West, 201 Winchester Street (at Sumach), operates from May 12 to October 27, 2009 on Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and sells standard organic produce, as well as organic sheep's milk, yogourt, ice cream, heritage vegetables, vegetarian products, and pet food.
Organic Grocery Stores Toronto
For shoppers who cannot get to the farmers' markets on the specified days, there are many alternatives to buy organic food in Toronto at the following organic grocers:
- The Big Carrot, 348 Danforth Avenue (west of Chester), 416-466-2129, is a one-stop shop for buying organic in Toronto, including organic fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, fish, dried, canned and bulk goods, as well as organic skincare and make-up products.
- The Sweet Potato, 2995 Dundas Street West (west of Keele), 416-762-4848, opened in 2008 and sells a good selection of organic produce, meat, dairy, bread and cheeses.
- Fiesta Farms, 200 Christie Street, just north of Bloor, 416-537-1235, is a full-blown grocery store offering a large selection of organic and locally-produced vegetables, fruits, health food store staples and organic gourmet food. The store even sells milk in glass bottles.
Organic Meat Shops Toronto
The following organic butcher shops offer a wide selection of certified organic meat, fish and poultry:
- The Healthy Butcher, 565 Queen Street West (west of Spadina), 416-674-2642, sells certified organic salmon, sea trout, beef, chicken, pork, lamb, elk and bison, as well as locally produced pickerel, perch, bass, whitefish and trout. The store has a second location at 298 Eglinton Avenue West (at Avenue), 416-674-2642.
- The Village Butcher, 2914 Lake Shore Boulevard West, 416-503-9555, is an organic meat shop in New Toronto that sells organic beef, chicken, lamb, turkey, including home-made organic turkey and chicken sausages, as well as organic cheeses. The store also caters private functions.
Whether looking for organic fruits and vegetables or buying organic meats, fish or cheeses, Torontonians will find they have an abundant selection of organic food at their fingertips at organic farmers' markets, organic grocery stores and organic butcher shops. With the ubiquitous emphasis on green living, it appears that organic food is here to stay.
For information on apple picking in Toronto, read here.
For a Stuffed Acorn Squash vegetarian recipe, read here.
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