Health and Wellness Blog

This hasn't exactly been your typical Toronto summer — cooler than usual temperatures, heavy downpours, and unpredictable thunderstorms. Yet in spite of the unseasonal weather, farmers' markets are going strong all over the City of Toronto.

Why go to farmers markets? Besides the fun of strolling past stands bursting with summer's bounty, for some people, it's a health issue. Produce picked ripe and not transported thousands of miles retains more of its phytochemicals. There is a growing awareness that eating food grown locally and in season is healthier for you. 

It may also be an economic issue. Supporting local farmers makes economic sense specially in bad economic times. 

What do you find at farmers' markets? In a nutshell, everything that's grown locally – fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers of course. But you may also find jams, jelly, honey and baked goodies made with locally grown produce.  Some markets also carry meat and fish. You may even discover crafts produced by local artisans. So if you have never been to a farmers' market or haven't made it to one this year, it's not too late. Here is a list of markets in your neighbourhood, there is even a list by days of the week. 

So, no more excuses. Grab your basket or canvas bag and take in the bounty of summer…