By Lori Bosworth
Many of Toronto’s farmers’ markets are gearing up to open in May and June as the crops become ready. Many Torontonians are making a trip to their local farmers’ markets part of their weekly shopping routine for organic grocieries. 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. The following farmers’ markets offer certified organic food in Toronto.
Trinity Bellwoods Farmers’ Market
Located at 1053 Dundas Street West (at Shaw St.), Trinity Bellwoods Farmers’ Market opens on May 8, 2012 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and continues every Tuesday until mid-October. Although the season’s early, asparagus, greens, wild leeks, cheese, bread and grass-fed beef, pork and lamb will be available. When the market is in full swing, you’ll find market vendors selling organic fruits and vegetables, organic eggs, organic breads and organic flowers.
Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market
Opening on Sat., May 5, 2012, the Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market at 550 Bayview Avenue between the Prince Edward Viaduct and Pottery Road will operate every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Nov. 3, 2012. Organic food for sale includes beef, lamb, wild fish, cheese, heirloom vegetables and edible flowers. Parking on the weekend is $1.50 per half hour or you can take a shuttle bus from Broadview Station every Saturday morning.
Riverdale Farm Farmers’ Market
Riverdale Farm Farmers’ Market at 201 Winchester Street (at Sumach), operates from May 22 to October 30, 2012 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.
Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market
This year-round farmers’ market at 875 Dufferin Street (across from Dufferin Mall), 416-392-0913, operates every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. inside and outside the rinkhouse. Visitors will find a wide selection of organic fruits and vegetables, organic meat, fish, cheeses and bread, as well as specialty products including dried wild mushrooms, honey, honeycomb, bee pollen, sprouts, wheat grass, gluten-free loaves, quiches and cookies, and sauerkraut, perogies and cabbage rolls made with certified organic produce.
