Public Markets Week is happening June 15-21! Join us to show your love for markets and all things local.

A great way to celebrate is by visiting the City of Toronto's newly-launched Public Markets webpage, which serves as a central hub for discovering local markets, programming details, and tools for market organizers. This portal is part of the City's response to the public's expressed desire for a more centralised and accessible source of information about public markets in Toronto.

Make sure you also check the 2025 outdoor season map to find new markets in different neighbourhoods across Toronto. The map is organized by the various types of markets in our city, and includes key information so you can visit them all!

And lastly, do take a look at the list of amazing activities you can enjoy – or even better, check them all out. 

Here’s how you can participate in this year’s Public Markets Week celebrations:  

Neighbourhood Markets and Food Tours 

Join an immersive and tasty opportunity to explore the connection between public markets, local businesses and the neighbourhoods they serve. All tours are anchored in either a neighbourhood market or a market district, and literally walk residents and visitors through a curated experience that highlights food and cultural assets in the community.

Space is limited to 25 people for each tour. A small $5 registration is required to secure your spot. These tours are valued at $68-100 per person but made accessible thanks to the support of the City of Toronto’s Economic Development and Culture Division. 

Featured tours this year:

Eglinton Way Farmers' Market & Neighbourhood Walking Tour

Sunday, June 15th, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Explore this charming Midtown neighbourhood's history, heritage buildings, businesses and artworks, with taste sampling from local eateries. The tour will conclude with an opportunity to shop and check out the Eglinton Way Farmers’ Market. 

Register here

Routes and Roots: A Historical Food Tour of Kensington and Chinatown

Wednesday, June 18th, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Join us for a historical food tour of Kensington Market and Chinatown. These neighbourhoods have complex histories — serving many as sites of solace and refuge during geopolitical upheavals while existing and thriving amidst xenophobia and racism in Canadian society. To this day, food and markets remain central to these communities and we will sample a variety of foods that showcase the resilience, success, and future orientations of Kensington and Chinatown.

Register here

St. Lawrence Market & Old Town

Wednesday, June 18th, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Explore the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood by delving into both current and historical stories of the area. This tour, led by Heritage Toronto, will emphasize the market's role as a vital institution and its social, cultural, and economic influence on the main street, the neighbourhood, and the city as a whole. At the end of the tour, participants will receive a coupon for the St. Lawrence Market to enjoy some treats in the south market.

Register here

Wandering to Withrow: History Bites and Tasty Treats

Saturday, June 21st, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Wander the Danforth and Withrow for a smorgasbord of historic tidbits, tasty samples and glimpses into the many layers that make up this ever-changing community. 

Register here

Ontario Food Terminal Tour | Special Industry Tour

Thursday, June 19th, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

The Ontario Food Terminal is the only wholesale market in our region, connecting Ontario farmers directly with local businesses. It provides a reliable marketplace for farmers and supports regional agriculture and the independent retail and grocery sector.  While overshadowed by major supermarkets, it is Canada's largest wholesale food terminal and plays a crucial role in Toronto. It serves over 4,000 buyers, including corner stores, independent grocery owners, and NGOs delivering Fresh Food Markets across the city.

As looming tariffs in the USA threaten our economy and food supply, this tour provides an opportunity for Councillors, city staff, and industry leaders to visit and learn more about this important public asset vital for food distribution in our city and region and a significant contributor to the local economy and the circular food system. 

Capacity on this tour is limited and it is restricted to industry. If you have any questions or want to be part, please email: Marina.Queirolo@toronto.ca

A weeklong program at Markets! 

Did you know that there are public markets running every day of the week in Toronto? Yes, they don’t just happen on weekends! 

Here’s a list of markets with Public Markets Week activities that you can check out throughout the week: 

Market Talks at the St. Lawrence Market North

Open to the public during Saturday Farmers’ Market hours, the St. Lawrence Market is inviting leaders

from the food, farming, and public market sectors to participate in two engaging and two important

talks to wrap up Public Markets Week.

When: Saturday, June 21

Talk 1: Love Local Markets – 100% Canadian & free from Tariffs 

Time: 10am to 11am

Toronto is home to 160 public markets, primarily managed by community members dedicated to improving their neighborhoods. These markets enhance local well-being, provide access to fresh food, create economic opportunities, and promote climate action at little to no cost to the city. With the current U.S. tariffs impacting local entrepreneurs and climate change making food production more challenging in our region, what is the role public markets can play as part of the solution? Let’s hear from community experts about their efforts, the value of public markets, and why both residents and entrepreneurs love their local markets. 

Host: Marina Queirolo, City of Toronto Economic & Culture Division, Main Streets Unit, Public Markets

Panelists:

• Nicole Jacobs, Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market 

• Kendall Pereira, The Toronto Flea

• Bibiana Virgüez, Community Market Support - FoodShare Toronto

• Sabina Ali, Thorncliffe Bazaar, Thorncliffe Park Women's Committee

• Camille Mayers, Deeply Rooted Farmers' Market, Deeply Rooted Farmers' Market

• Lesley Stoyan and Chris Trussell, Apple Tree Markets

• Claire Perttula, Malvern Urban Farm & Farmers' Market

  
  

Talk 2: Strengthening the Local Regional Food System, now more than ever!

Time: 1pm to 2:30pm

Strengthening the local regional food system has always been essential. However, with the current U.S. tariffs impacting our economy and climate change making food production more challenging in our region, it is now more important than ever to develop programs, policies, and resources that support Ontario’s farmers, manufacturers, distributors, and mid-sized retailers who provide local food to our city. Let’s hear from thought leaders and community experts sharing their knowledge and experiences on this issue, bringing new ideas to the table.

Host: Lauren Baker, Global Alliance for the Future of Food

Panelists:

• Jessey Njau, Zawadi Farm

• Paul Moyer, Moyer Apple Products

• Aric Aguonie, Earth Haven Farm 

• Sarah Elton, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto

•  Zakiya tafari, Afri-Can FoodBasket

• Jayeeta Sharma (Jo), University of Toronto Scarborough, Feeding City Lab

Talks are free of charge, and there is no need to pre-register. Just visit the St. Lawrence Market North Building and join your preferred talk.

2025 Public Markets Week program is funded by

City of Toronto's Economic & Culture Division.