Sherway Gardens Farmers Market
25 The West Mall, Etobicoke
Fridays, May 12th to October 31st
8am – 3pm

The first of our featured markets is actually an early adopter. Started in 1993, the Sherway Gardens market has 15 to 20 vendors during peak season with the focus on produce vendors and a few merchants selling bakery items, nuts, candy and dried fruits. Being a weekday market, they stick to the formula of vendors offering fresh Ontario produce and goods instead of themed events, fast food vendors or activities for the kids. Like other weekday markets, this is a good option for people who want to pop in and do their shopping without too much fuss.

Originally invited to set up shop by Sherway Gardens/Cadillac Fairview, the mall operators, organizers have seen the market grow each year. Given its location surrounded by plenty of free parking and TTC access, it’s easily accessible via various means of transportation, and is a great option for produce shopping in a mall without a supermarket onsite.

Market organizer Deborah Cauz also points out that the market helps local charities by donating any leftovers. ”We donate in excess of 1000 pounds of fresh produce to Second Harvest each season to support the needs of 250 social service programs in Toronto.”

While this year’s list of vendors is still being finalized, some of last years vendors included Caledon Springs Farm (produce), Andrews Scenic Acres (berries, asparagus, pies), Honey Link Sausages (farm eggs, grill meats), Schep’s Bakeries (bread, baked goods), Thorne Farms (Ontario produce) and Rick’s Nut Hut (confections, Ontario cheese).

Market shoppers will find a variety of fresh, local, seasonal offerings at the Sherway Gardens Market, which after 15 years, can now be considered an Etobicoke tradition.