Go out and meet some local farmers this week - Toronto market listings!

Eat local. Support local. Buy local.

Years ago my father sent me an email higlighting the importance of buying locally made (or made in Canada) products & ingredients as much as possible.  The main reasons of course being - keep our economy alive, support local workers in order for them to keep their jobs, maintaining & creating jobs (super important) and it feels (and tastes so) good!  

Eat with ALL of the colour!!

Since then I've passionately maintained that motto especially in my own community (west end Toronto): markets, stores, restaurants, salons and shops!  There's nothing better than getting to know people and their stories - where they came from, where their business ideas came from, passions, dreams - the whole lot!  Myself as an entrepreneur and business owner - I definitely appreciate my city and community supporting me and my efforts.   I could go on about this for days...anyway this leads me to one of my MOST favourite things to do: shop for FOOD at markets.  

Trust me take an hour, get on your bicycle and ride to YOUR nearest farmers market!

Swoon.

 Here's some of Toronto's best East to West courtesy of Toronto.com (If you don't find one near you on this list - hit link for entire listing!)

East Toronto.

East Lynn Park
June5  – October 16
Days: Thursdays
Time: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: East Lynn Park
Neighbourhood: Woodbine
 

Evergreen Brick Works
Year round
Days: Saturdays; Sundays June 21–November 1
Time: Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. starting May 3; Sundays: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Evergreen Brick Works
Neighbourhood: Rosedale

 
East York
May 12 – October
Days: Tuesdays
Time: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: East York Civic Centre
Neighbourhood: East York
 
Leslieville
May 17 – November 1
Days: Sunday
Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Jonathan Ashbridge Park
Neighbourhood: Leslieville
 
Fairmount Park
June 3 – October 21
Days: Wednesday
Time: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Fairmount Park
Neighbourhood: Upper Beaches
 
Withrow Park
May 23 – October
Days: Saturday
Times: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Withrow Park
Neighbourhood: The Danforth

 

West Toronto.

The Junction Farmers Market
May 23 – October
Days: Saturday
Times: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Junction Train Platform
Neighbourhood: The Junction
 
Trinity Bellwoods Farmers Market
(You can find me here!)
May 5 – October 27
Days: Tuesday
Times: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: Trinity Bellwoods Park
Neighbourhood: West Queen West
 
The Stop’s Farmers Market
Year round
Days: Saturday
Times: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the summer
Location: Wychwood Barns
Neighbourhood: St. Clair West
 
My Market Liberty Village
June 1 – November 27
Days: Sunday
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Green P on Hanna Ave.
Neighbourhood: Liberty Village
 
Dufferin Grove Farmers Market
Year round
Days: Thursdays
Time: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Dufferin Grove Park Rink House
Neighbourhood: Dufferin Grove
 
Montgomery’s Inn Farmers Market
Year round
Days: Wednesday
Time: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: Montgomery’s Inn parking lot
Neighbourhood: Etobicoke
 
Sherway Farmers Market
May 8 – October
Days: Friday
Time: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Sherway Gardens parking lot
Neighbourhood: Etobicoke
 
Sorauren Farmers Market
Year round
Days: Monday
Time: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Sorauren Park
Neighbourhood: Roncesvalles

Then when you're back & snacky & hot... make my Very Berry Watermelon Smoothie - super hydrating and cooling for the perfect summer breakfast or snack!

 ___________________________________________________________________

 Very Berry Watermelon Smoothie

(gf, vegetarian)

What you need: 

1/2 small watermelon 

1 cup mixed berries (strawberry, rasp/blue & black)

3/4 coconut water (water works too)
1/4 cucumber

1 tsp raw ginger

2-4 mint leaves

3 tsp fresh parsley

1 cup fresh greens (spinach, kale, chard)*

1 tsp bee pollen

1 tbsp hemp hearts

1/2 lemon (I keep skin on)

1 tsp maple syrup (optional)

What to do:

Blend blend blend.  Add extra liquid if needed.  Finish with extra berries or hemp hearts!  **Can be made without greens to keep pink BUT better for digestion to include!  Nom nom nom.  Enjoy. xox

BONUS IDEA:
Here's a super simple salad that I made for Josh and I yesterday après market - using hormone-free chicken & some of our own Urban Rooftop Garden that we're fortunate to have!  **Salad is dressed with OLIVE THAT! extra virgin olive oil & fresh lemon juice!

Arugula, cucumber, tomatoes, blueberries & dandelion!  Easy peasy and oh so pretty!!!

 Enjoy darlings & happy wknd!  LMK if you visit a neighborhood market this weekend!

xox

rbn.