Have you ever seen a pawpaw at the market? It's not a papaya, but it is our largest native fruit and a special treat to find in the fall season here in Ontario!

Since 2015, we have been working to make Toronto public markets visible. From launching a Public Market Working Group in the Toronto Food Policy Council to hosting sessions with market managers or presenting to the City of Toronto Council, it has been a journey, a series of activities, research, projects, and events that help tell the story of why neighbourhood markets matter to the city, the entrepreneurs, and, more importantly, the residents.

We did it! On November 8th, the City Council approved the motion to develop the first Public Market Action Plan for the City of Toronto in 2024. This is the first for Toronto, Canada, and even North America.

Earth Month calls for a public Market Revolution! April, with Earth Day on the 22nd, highlights the urgency of climate action. Wildfires loom, threatening outdoor markets and the communities they sustain. Growers grapple with shifting conditions. How do we spark action? How do we rally support for grassroots initiatives battling climate change?