Roundup of local farmers' markets
To market, to market! It’s one of our favourite times of the year (especially with everything going on) – when vendors begin opening up their stalls at local farmers' markets across our cities. Fresh fruits and veggies, delicious farm fresh eggs, and more - let’s reap the benefits of all the goodness our farmers have to bring to the table this summer! Read on for a roundup of some of the best markets at various cities across Canada.
Farmers' markets in the GTA
Image: Taken at the High Park Village farmers' market at 66 Oakmount Road
Gather around urbanites, grab your reusable grocery bags and let’s hit the market! It’s that time of year again when farmers' markets are springing up throughout the GTA, providing city dwellers with a chance to buy fresh food and products from local farmers and artisans. Read on for our list of farmers' markets located in the GTA for fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, breads, meats, soaps and more.
Toronto
1. The High Park Village Market - 66 Oakmount Road
• Do you live near High Park? Watch 66 Oakmount Road convert to The High Park Village Market every Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm. Vendors will be selling fresh local produce, eggs, preserves, honey and baked goods. Plus, there will be kids’ activities and live music!
2. St. Lawrence Market - 93 Front Street East
• St. Lawrence Market is packed with fresh produce from local farmers. A money saving bonus: If you get there close to closing time, you can look for end-of-day offers from some vendors. Every Saturday from 5 am to 3 pm all year-round.
3. John Street Farmers’ Market - St. George-the-Martyr Anglican Church, 197 John Street
• John Street Farmers’ Market provides shoppers with a chill vibe with live music, a play area for kids and a café area with seating. The market runs from June to October within the enclosed gardens of the St. George-the-Martyr Anglican Church and is open every Wednesday from 3:30 pm to 7 pm.
4. Nathan Phillips Square - 100 Queen Street West
• The farmers' market at Nathan Phillips Square features many delicious vendors including Thames River Melons Ltd, a vendor that offers some of the earliest berries in Ontario. The market is open from May 26th to October 13th, every Wednesday from 9 am to 1 pm.
5. SickKids Farmers' Market - The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue
• On the lookout for some fresh honey, cheese, pies, potatoes and hand-milled soap? Look no further! SickKids Farmers’ Market runs from May to October on Tuesdays from 8 am to 2 pm.
Etobicoke
1. Annette Village Farmers’ Market - Runnymede Presbyterian Church parking lot, 680 Annette Street
• The Annette Village Farmers' Market offers local sustainably-raised meats, preserves, fresh bread and baked goods, VQA wines, delicious prepared foods and much more! The market will run from May to October, every week on Wednesday from 3 pm to 7 pm.
2. Weston Farmers' Market - 34 John Street, York
• The Weston Farmers' Market has been running for over 40 years in the GTA, making it one of the oldest markets in Toronto! The market is open from May to October on Saturdays from 8 am to 2 pm.
3. Market Days at Montgomery’s Inn - 4709 Dundas Street West
• Market Days at Montgomery’s Inn is a yearlong affair featuring fresh-baked bread from the Inn’s wood-fired oven, meat, cheese and ready-to-go meals. Drop on by on Wednesdays from 2 pm to 6 pm to pick up your locally sourced treats.
4. Sherway Farmers’ Market - Church on the Queensway parking lot, 1536 The Queensway
• You can’t go wrong with Ontario grown fruit and veggies, farm fresh eggs, meats and locally grown mushrooms. From June to October the Sherway Farmers’ Market will take place on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 am to 2 pm.
Mississauga
1. Lions Farmers' Market - 3 Robert Speck Parkway
• The Lions Club has operated a farmers' market as a fundraiser in Mississauga since 1975. The Lions Farmers’ Market runs from June 2nd to October 13th every Wednesday from 9 am to 5 pm.
2. Port Credit Farmers' Market - 200 Lakeshore Road East
• This farmers' market is known for its great selection of fresh produce, prepared foods, cheese, eggs, plants and artisans. Check them out from June to October every Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm.
3. The Backyard Farm & Market - 2520 Eglinton Avenue West
• The Backyard Farm & Market is open from June 17th and ends on October 7th, where you’ll have the opportunity to visit this grocery store alternative and shop for fresh produce from sustainable food farmers and food artisans. There is also a playground, educators and natural haven for the kids! Every Thursday from 3 pm to 7 pm.
Scarborough
1. U of T Scarborough Farmers' Market - M1C 1A4 (near Military Trail and Ellesmere)
• Come and grab some fresh produce and treats from the U of T Scarborough Farmers’ Market! The Market runs every Wednesday through the summer from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
North York
1. North York Farmers' Market - Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge Street
• The North York Farmers’ Market provides locally grown fresh fruits and veggies, honey, herbs and more. Get all of your grocery shopping done for a reasonable price. The market runs from May to October on Thursdays from 9 am to 1 pm.
Oakville
1. Oakville Civitan Farmers' Market - 200-240 North Service Road West
• The Civitan Club of Oakville has operated the town's longest-running farmers' market in support of community charities. The Market is open every Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm all summer!
Farmers' markets in Ottawa
Image Source: The Spec
Spend your weekend at the farmers' market walking among the stalls filled with fresh fruit, veggies, and farmer eggs. We promise that the various aromas will entice your senses and before you even leave, you’ll already be planning your next visit. Check out our list of farmer’s markets that you must visit in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa:
1. Byward Market – William Street, George Street and York Street
• The Byward Market's name dates all the way back to 1826 making it the oldest food market in all of Canada! At Byward Market, you’ll find fresh fruits, veggies, crafts and vendors selling homemade honey, flowers all year-round typically between 7 am and 5:30 pm.
2. Ottawa Organic Farmers' Market – 3191 Riverside Drive
• Ottawa Organic Farmers' Market is a year-round market that's open only on Saturday’s from 10 am to 12 pm. Known as a small, friendly-family market, this is one you don't want to miss out on!
3. Parkdale Market - 366 Parkdale Avenue
• You can stumble on Parkdale Market on the corner of Parkdale and Wellington in Hintonburg. There are over 20 vendors selling fresh produce, flowers, plants and shrubs starting on April 27th to December 24th, seven days a week from 6 am to 6 pm.
4. Beechwood Market - 43 Ste-Cécile Street
• The Beechwood Market is located in a kids park nestled in behind Fire Station 57. The vendors are a mix of farmers, bakers and artisans selling bread, pastries and various homemade crafts. The Beachwood Market begins on June 5th and runs to October 9th. Stop by every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm.
5. Lansdowne Market – 900 Exhibition Way (Aberdeen Square)
• The Lansdowne Market is a year-round producer market in Ottawa. Every vendor grows, makes, and bakes their goods within 100 kilometers of the City of Ottawa. Make sure to pop by for your local grains, meats, cheeses and artisan crafts and jewelry on Sundays from 9am to 3pm from May 2nd to October 31st.
London (Ontario) farmers' markets
Image: Taken at the High Park Village farmers’ market at 66 Oakmount Road
Every market in London, Ontario offers a plethora of goods and products that range from food to unique crafts – and it’s all locally sourced and grown! Check out our list of the top farmers' markets located in London, Ontario:
1. Covent Garden Market - 130 King Street
• If you share a passion for locally grown food then the Convent Garden Market is right for you! Make sure to stop on by for your produce and tasty treats on Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm from June until December.
2. The Market Western Fair District – 900 King Street
• This unique year-round market takes up two floors and hosts over 100 vendors. Stop on by for foods, crafts, produce and more every Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm or Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm.
3. Gibraltar Weekend Market - 1712 Dundas Street
• The Gibraltar Weekend Market offers meats, frozen food, treats, t-shirts and more. This market is year-round, and as the name says, is only open on weekends. Stop by every Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm.
Farmers' markets in Alberta
Image Credit: Baconhound
Let’s head on over to the West side of Canada to Alberta. Farmers’ markets in Alberta are known for their delicious treats, local foods and educational advocacy. Whether you’re a local or are planning a quick trip to the West, check out these farmers’ markets below and we promise, you won’t be leaving empty-handed.
Calgary
1. Calgary Farmers’ Market - Just off Blackfoot Trail & Heritage Drive
• The Calgary Farmers’ Market is home to over 75 local vendors and sells products that have been made, grown and baked in Alberta. Open all year-round every week Thursday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.
2. Crossroads Market - 1235 26 Avenue South East
• Crossroads Market was conceived over 30 years ago and is comprised of over 150 diverse vendors who offer families a warm, lively, and one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Visit Crossroads Market every Friday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.
3. Farmers' & Makers' Market at cSPACE - 1721 29 Avenue South West
• The Farmers' & Makers' Market is home to 60 local farms, food-makers, bakers, brewers, distillers, food trucks and more. With live music and kids’ arts and culture activities, this market has something in store for everyone! From May 29th to October 9th on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm.
Edmonton
1. 124 Grand Market - 108 Avenue & 124 Street
• Edmonton’s grandest farmers’ market serves the community with quality and locally grown farmed products, and there’s even a kids’ program called Our Little Beans Program. You’ll find the Grand Market in two locations:
o Thursdays from May 13th to October 7th, on 108 Avenue & 124 Street, from 4 pm to 8 pm.
o Sunday from June 6th to September 26th, on 102 Avenue & 124 Street, from 11 am to 3 pm.
Montréal markets
Image Credit: Trip Savvy
People living in Montréal and those who are visiting have an opportunity to roam the many public markets located in the city streets. It’s very easy to “eat with your eyes” when winding through all the displayed products, inhaling various aromas and enticing sights. There are several options for groceries, but we think these five markets take the cake (and the pie and the veggies):
1. Jean-Talon Market - 7070 Henri Julien Avenue
• The Jean-Talon Market is one of the oldest public markets in Montréal, having begun in 1933. The market offers fruits and veggies, butchers, bakers, fishmongers and grocers. The Jean-Talon Market runs year-round on:
o Monday to Saturday: 8 am to 6 pm
o Sundays: 8 am to 5 pm
2. Atwater Market - 138 Atwater Avenue
• Marché Atwater is located close to the Lachine Canal and is open year-round. Atwater Market is a must-do and is known for its butcher shops, cheesemongers, flower shops and food vendors. The market is open on:
o Monday to Friday: 9 am to 6 pm
o Saturday to Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm
3. Maisonneuve Market - 4445 Rue Ontario Est
• In a majestic stone building, this market opened its doors at the beginning of the 20th century and hosts a large number of farmers, grocers, butchers and fishmongers. Visit them all-year and all week from 9 am to 6 pm, and 9 am to 5 pm on Sundays.
Whether you’re a local or are planning a weekend getaway to Montréal, check out Marches Publics to locate the closest farmers’ market to you.
We hope this list provides you with delicious ingredients that are sourced locally and inexpensive. Let us know where your go-to local farmers' market is located, we’d love to hear from you!