Posted by Cathy Bouchard in grocery, nutrition, shops on February 23, 2007 at 8:07 am

Shopping in Kensington for whole foods can be tricky. Sure there is fruit and veggies as far as the eye can see, but are they fresh? Most of the food stands are peddling GMO-ed, well-traveled produce that is cheap for a reason. This used to be the only option. Thank goodness, the market is now becoming a great place to buy whole and organic at fairly cheap prices. The key to fresh, whole, organic shopping in the market is knowing where to get what, and being prepared to make several stops. It's there if you know where to go.

4 Life Natural Foods
257 Augusta Avenue
416-591-6800

A great place to buy organic produce. In the winter, find a great selection of apples and seasonal veggies, some of which are local. In the summer there’s a wide selection of fresh and often local fruits and veggies spilling out onto the street. If you can’t make it to a farmers market then you can shop here and still feel like you're making the effort. They also have a good selection of Canadian whole grain flours in large bags and the fridge is well stocked with Harmony Organic dairy products. The prices aren’t too bad and are getting better now that they are more established.

Tutti Frutti Famous Foods
64 Kensington Avenue
416-593-9281

I love this store! This is the place for bulk items like organic rolled oats, raw almonds and other nuts and seeds at the cheapest price in the market. They also have a great selection of loose herbs like organic milk thistle, a great liver detoxifier.

Essence of Life
50 Kensington Avenue
416-506-0345

This large store is packed with packaged foods, not so much in the whole, fresh department. Go here for a great selection of sauces like tamari and things like maple syrup and olive oil, at cheap prices. Also, definitely the best place in the market for natural body products, especially large-size containers of body lotion for cheap.

Sugar and Spice
265 Augusta Avenue
416-593-1664

Sugar and Spice calls itself a “discount health food store” and that’s pretty much what they are. I wouldn’t do any bulk shopping here but it is the best place to buy non-dairy milks by the case.

Cheese Magic
182 Baldwin Street
416-593-9531

They offer a selection of un-pasteurized cheeses, not all of which are organic. On good day though, you’ll find a couple different types of Canadian, organic, raw milk cheddar cheeses.

House of Spice
190 Kensington Avenue
416-593-9724

This little known gem is jam packed with spices, nuts and seeds. The organic choice is getting better and better and I'm told there are some non-GMO, organic spices on the way. I found organic dried cranberries and raw pumpkin seeds for a reasonable price. The great thing is that everything is pre-bagged so you know what you’re paying without having to guess.