There’s nothing quite like the freshness and quality of buying from a Farmer’s Market. So we love that in Toronto we don’t have to wait until summer to get our hands on the goods. St. Lawrence Market, located right in the middle of the city, is filled with market merchants, is open year-round, and is a perfect Saturday outing for the whole family.

Established in 1803, St. Lawrence Market is now filled with over 120 merchants and vendors. And there are actually two different markets — the South Market in the main building, and the North Market, which is in a building across the street. The South Market is open Tuesday through Saturday, and the vendors are in permanent stands. So after a few trips you know exactly where to find your favourite bakery, butcher, fishmonger, cheese shop, out-of-season organic fruit and vegetables, and spice shop. It’s also where you can fill up on any number of samples and specialty items, including the infamous peameal on a bun sandwich — a must-eat after any St. Lawrence Saturday shop.

The North Market, which only opens on Saturdays, is more of a true “Farmers Market.” If you’re trying to feed your family a 100-mile kind of diet, this is the place for you. Local farmers bring their natural and organic wares in on Saturdays, and you can get everything from meat, to fresh-from-the-farm veggies, to delicious pastries and breads, to freshly roasted nuts.

The prices can be slightly steeper than you might pay in a big box grocery store, but the quality can’t be beat. And if you’re willing to wait for the early birds to do their shopping (the market opens at 5 am on Saturday), you can often find deals — many merchants in both markets offer discounts after 3 pm on Saturday. It’s our favourite place to stock up on Montreal-style bagels, ethically caught fish, and local fruit and veggies. Plus, it’s where we buy “the best bacon we’ve ever had” (thick cut and oh, so good) – always a favourite for the inevitable Sunday brunch which follows a Saturday trip to St. Lawrence Market.

St. Lawrence Market: www.stlawrencemarket.com
92 Front Street East, Toronto

Image courtesy of the City of Toronto.

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