Another reason to go north of Dupont: Toronto’s newest farmers’ market
There’s nothing Toronto loves more than a farmers’ market, and as a wonderful 175th anniversary gift, the city is about to get a new one. Starting April 23, midtown locavores and home cooks can flock to weekly selling sessions at the North Toronto Memorial Community Centre. And it can’t open soon enough—the closest alternative is the Brick Works at the Don Valley and Bayview, so it’s about time midtown got some market love.
What was once a rummage-style yard sale at Eglinton St. George’s United Church is being relaunched as the full-scale, year-round Appletree market, which will run on Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m. at the North Toronto Memorial Community Centre (200 Eglinton Ave. W.). The endeavour—which, true to its Earth Day debut, emphasizes eco-friendly offerings—is the brainchild of Daily Apple entrepreneurs Leslie Stoyan and Chris Trussell, who have tied their community-building pursuits in with the new project, which promises craft sales and recreational programming, in addition to agribusiness.
While not nearly the size of the beloved St. Lawrence Market, the indoor-outdoor Appletree will showcase over 20 vendors from the GTA and surrounding areas. Expect to see the usual suspects, including artisanal dairy dealers Cheese of Canada and meat moguls Scotch Mountain Meats. But Appletree aims to do more than peddle locally sourced ingredients. Organizers want to unite north Toronto food favourites (like Culinarium and Dandelion Mud Pie) and farmers to make Eglinton the city’s newest foodie destination. This spring, there may be a new reason to venture north of Dupont.
