When youre commuting long distances between work and home, it can sometimes be difficult to make healthy food decisions. A gargantuan-sized cookie to go with a coffee, a greasy bag of potato chips or a slice of pizza weve all been there, riding the train to Heartburn City.
But a new initiative from the TTC, Foodshare and the City of Toronto is hoping to change that for some subway commuters. Grab Some Good is a weekly pop-up food stall at three subway stations. TTC riders will find it at Downsview and Victoria Park stations on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 7 pm, and at Kipling station on Wednesdays. The point of Grab Some Good is to make fresh produce more accessible to everyone, so there will be prepared snack options, like fruit salad and coleslaw, as well as whole fruits and vegetables customers can take home for dinner.
For people living closer to downtown, fresh, local produce is more accessible at neighbourhood farmers markets. And with the recent burst of summer weather, many of the 30-plus seasonal markets have already started joining the half-dozen markets that run year-round.
Weve listed many Torontos farmers markets below. Be sure to check them out before the summers over.
Where: Runnymede Presbyterian Church (680 Annette Street)
When: Wednesdays 3 to 7 pm, June 1 to October 5
What youll find: Now in its fourth year, this market offers Ontario produce, eggs, cheeses, meat, preserves, bread and baked goods, wines and more. The June 1 market includes an opening barbeque, and other special events such as a peach festival and corn roast are scattered throughout the season. Find more details here.
Where: Roe TTC Loop (Avenue Road and Roe Avenue)
When: Thursdays 3 to 7 pm, June 9 to August 25
What youll find: This pop-up market features a small selection of Appletree Markets vendors. Find more details here.
Where: Lippincott Street south of Bloor West
When: Wednesdays 3 to 7 pm, June 1 to October 19
What youll find: Fresh Ontario fruits and vegetables as well as artisanal prepared foods. Find more details here.
Where: Riverdale Park West (near Winchester and Sumach Streets)
When: Tuesdays 3 to 7 pm, May 24 to October 4
What youll find: Alongside Ontario produce farmers, meet diverse food vendors, such as Marigolds Maple Syrup, Madeleines Bakery, Molly Bs Gluten Free Kitchen, The Bee Shop, Intaba Mountains, The Smoke Bloke, Crown & Anchor, de la terre and more. Local wineries including Reimer Vinyards and Frog Pond Organic Winery will be there on select dates. Find more details here.
Where: June Rowlands Park (Mt. Pleasant Road and Davisville Avenue)
When: Tuesdays 3 to 7 pm, May 10 to October 4
What youll find: Over 32 vendors selling local produce, organic meats, Mennonite dairy, small-batch honey and more. Find more details here.
Where: Dufferin Grove Park (875 Dufferin Street)
When: Thursdays 3 to 7 pm, year round
What youll find: This year-round market, which launched in 2002, hosts over 40 vendors spanning fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, dairy and eggs, preserves, specialty foods, wines, plants and more. Find more details here.
Where: Woodbine Avenue and Danforth Avenue
Where: Thursdays 3 to 7 pm, June 2 to October 20
What youll find: Fresh Ontario fruits and vegetables as well as artisanal prepared foods. Find more details here.
Where: East York Civic Centre (850 Coxwell Avenue)
When: Tuesdays 8 am to 2 pm, May 17 to October 25
What youll find: Fresh Ontario fruits and vegetables, bread and baked goods, meat, preserves, plants and more. Find more details here.
Where: Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Avenue)
When: Saturdays 8 am to 1 pm and Sundays 10 am to 3 pm, June 5 to November 6 (a winter market operates November 14 to April 30)
What youll find: Launched with 25 producers in 2007, this farmers market has grown to become one of the largest in the city. Find, local seasonal produce, meat and dairy, as well as wine, gelato, mustard, pickles and everything in between. Find more details here.
Where: Fairmount Park (1725 Upper Gerrard East)
When: Wednesdays 3 to 7 pm, June 1 to October
What youll find: Local fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat, bread, preserves and wine plus food vendors, such as Mnandi Pies, Pasta Tucci, Crown & Anchor, Life In Homemade, Genuine Tea and The Pop Stand. Find more details here.
Where: Humber Bay Park West (Lake Shore West and Park Lawn Road)
When: Saturdays 9 am to 2 pm, June 4 to October
What youll find: Local fresh produce, meat, herbs, cheese, preserves, wine, pie and more. Find more details here.
Where: St. George-the-Martyr Anglican Church (205 John Street)
When: Wednesdays 3:30 to 7 pm, June 5 to October 30
What youll find: Local farmers, artisans and merchants fill this downtown market. Find fresh vegetables, soap, brownies and everything in between. Find more details here.
Where: The Junction City Square (2960 Dundas West)
When: Saturdays 9 am to 1 pm, May 28 to November 5
What youll find: Local fruits and vegetables, small-batch honey, de la terre bread and baked goods, Fifth Town cheese, Hogtown Charcuterie, Pyramid Ferments kimchi and kombucha, Tawse and Stanners wineries, Pommies cider and more. Find more details here.
Where: Trace Manes Park (110 Rumsey Road)
When: Wednesdays 3 to 7 pm, June 8 to August 24
What youll find: This pop-up market features a small selection of Appletree Markets vendors. Find more details here.
Where: Jonathan Ashbridge Park (Queen East and Coxwell Avenue)
When: Sundays 9 am to 2 pm, May 22 to October 30
What youll find: At the sixth season of this east Toronto farmers market, find seasonal fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, dairy, baked goods, preserves and more. Special events throughout the season include Cyclefare on June 21, Bee Day on July 5, Baconfest on August 9 and Veggies on September 20. Find more details here.
Where: East Liberty Street and Atlantic Avenue
When: Sundays 9 am to 2 pm, June 5 to November 27
What youll find: Fresh Ontario fruits and vegetables as well as artisanal prepared foods. Find more details here.
Where: David Pecaut Square (55 John Street)
When: Thursdays 8 am to 2 pm, May 26 to October 13
What youll find: Fresh local fruits and vegetables, baked goods, maple syrup, honey, cheese and food stalls selling hot, prepared meals. Find more details here.
Where: Montgomerys Inn (4709 Dundas West)
When: Wednesdays 2 to 6 pm, year round
What youll find: Fresh organic produce from Nith Valley Organics and Samsara, Green Gate meat and sausages, Monforte cheese, Spade and Spoon preserves, More Than Pies baked goods, Bees Universe honey and more. Find more details here.
Where: Toronto City Hall (100 Queen West)
When: Wednesdays 6:30 am to 2 pm, May 25 to October 12 (excluding June 29)
What youll find: Fresh fruits and vegetables, bread and other baked goods, prepared foods and more. Find more details here.
Where: Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge Street)
When: Thursdays 8 am to 2:30 pm, May 26 to October 27
What youll find: Fresh fruits and vegetables, bread and other baked goods, prepared foods and more. Find more details here.
Where: Ryerson University campus near Victoria and Gould streets
When: Wednesdays 11 am to 2 pm, May 11 to October 5
What youll find: Over a dozen local vendors selling doughnuts, kale, prosciutto and everything in between. Find more details here.
Where: St. Lawrence Market (92 Front East)
When: Saturdays 5 am to 2 pm, year round
What youll find: Voted Best Farmers Market in NOWs 2015 Readers Choice, this outdoor farmers market (temporarily relocated from the northside of the building to the south) serves up fresh Ontario fruits and vegetables, preserves, bread, dairy and more in addition to the dozens of vendors inside the Market. Find more details here.
Where: Sherway Gardens (corner of Queensway and Sherway Gardens Road)
When: Fridays 8 am to 2 pm, May 6 to October 28
What youll find: Ontario-grown fruits and vegetables, eggs, baked goods, honey, deli meats, cheese and more. Find more details here.
Where: SickKids Hospital (555 University Avenue)
When: Tuesdays 9 am to 2 pm, year round (outdoors weather permitting)
What youll find: Local fruits and vegetables, cheese, bread, preserves, prepared foods and plants. Find more details here.
Where: Sorauren Avenue south of Dundas West
When: Mondays 3 to 7 pm, year round
What youll find: This community market organized by the West End Food Co-op brings together over 30 vendors each week. Find local fruits and vegetables, bread and baked goods, preserves, meat and fish, prepared foods, plants and more. Find more details here.
Where: Christ Church St. James Anglican Church (194 Park Lawn Road)
When: Tuesdays 4 to 7 pm, June 21 to October 4
What youll find: Ontario fruits and vegetables, cheese, bread, preserves, family entertainment and more. Find more details here.
Where: Wychwood Barns (601 Christie Street)
When: Saturdays 8 am to 1 pm, year round
What youll find: Local, sustainable and organic products, prepared meals and live music. Find more details here.
Where: Regent Park (620 Dundas East)
When: Wednesdays 5:30 to 8:30 pm, June to October
What youll find: Fresh, local fruits and vegetables, preserves, prepared meals and live music. Find more details here.
Where: Toronto Botanical Garden (777 Lawrence East)
When: Thursdays 2 to 7 pm, year-round
What youll find: Seasonal, organic fruits and vegetables, eggs, cheese, meat, bread, gluten-free baked goods, maple syrup, preserves, all-natural personal care, soaps and candles, herbal oils, tea, seeds and more. Find more details here.
Where: Trinity Bellwoods Park (corner of Dundas and Shaw streets)
When: Tuesdays 3 to 7 pm, May 3 to November 1
What youll find: Over 15 farmers spanning agriculture, meat and fish, as well as prepared artisanal foods including Alchemy Pickle Company, Bona Fide Bean Coffee, Evelyns Crackers, St. Johns Bakery and more. Find more details here.
Where: St. Clements Church (70 St Clements Avenue)
When: Thursdays 3 to 7 pm, June 16 to October 6
What youll find: At this eight-year-old market, buy local farm produce, honey and crafts. Find more details here.
Where: University of Toronto Scarborough (1265 Military Trail)
When: Wednesdays 2:30 to 6:30 pm, June 1 to October 5 (winter market from November to April)
What youll find: Fresh fruits and vegetables, bread and other baked goods, prepared foods and more. Find more details here.
Where: Weston GO Station parking lot (1865 Weston Road)
When: Saturdays 7 am to 2 pm, May 7 to October 29
What youll find: Now in its 37th season, one of Torontos oldest farmers markets features a wide variety of vendors including Gaeta Farms, Lincoln Line Orchards, Vos Eggs, Albion Hills Farm, Marigold Maple Syrup, Grandpa Kens Back Bacon and more. Find more details here.
Where: Withrow Park (725 Logan Avenue)
When: Saturdays 9 am to 1 pm, June 4 to October
What youll find: Fresh fruits and vegetables, bread and baked goods, preserves and honey, wine, live entertainment, kids activities and more. Find more details here.
Where: York University Keele Campus TEL Building (88 The Pond Road)
When: Thursdays 11 am to 4 pm, year round
What youll find: Fresh fruits and vegetables, bread and other baked goods, prepared foods and more. Find more details here.
michelled@nowtoronto.com | @michdas
