Summer is a time for Torontonians to remember they're surrounded by incredible greenery to the north, south, east and west of us — and not just on weekend road trips.
As the days get sunnier (for the most part), farmers' markets infiltrate almost every neighbourhood in the city, ensuring you'll have the opportunity to eat local, delicious produce at least once a week, along with some guilty pleasure offerings like ice cream sandwiches, fish fritters and truly indulgent smoked barbecue.
Ontario's growing season is just starting to release its bounty, but the vendors selling their wares will be more than happy to chat with you about determining a fruit or veggie's ripeness, how to cook what they have on offer and what's coming up through the season.
Below, we've listed the notable offerings at these amazing farmers' markets, and what they're selling apart from the local, delicious produce we already know and love.
Did we miss an incredible farmers' market in your neighbourhood? Let us know in the comments below.
Toronto Farmers' Markets
Where: Sorauren Avenue Park (south of Dundas at Sorauren)
When: Mondays, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. (year-round)
What's on offer: Wine, chocolate, oysters, ice pops, cheese and other dairy
Where: 850 Coxwell Ave. (at Mortimer)
When: Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (May 13 to October 28, 2014)
What's on offer: Variety of mushrooms, Bombay Street Food (prepared), cheese, flowers
Where: 1053 Dundas St. W. (at Shaw)
When: Tuesdays, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. (May 6 to Oct. 28, 2014)
What's on offer: Oysters, sauerkraut, frozen chickens, vegetable seeds, trout, fermented producted, organic baby food
Where: June Rowlands Park (Davisville, west of Mount Pleasant)
When: Tuesdays, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. (May 13 to Oct. 7, 2014)
What's on offer: Preserves, cheese, maple syrup, live entertainment, fitness classes
Where: Canoe Landing Park (between Bathurst and Spadina, south of Fork York Blvd.)
When: Tuesdays, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. (June 3 to Oct. 14, 2014)
What's on offer: Grass-fed meats, sunflowers, wine, baked goods, children's entertainment
Where: 1757 Gerrard St. E. (between Woodbine and Coxwell)
When: Wednesdays, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. (May 21 to October 15, 2014)
What's on offer: Special events (like community picnics or knife-sharpening clinics), children's entertainment, produce grown by students, sustainably grown veggies, Berkshire pork, plenty of prepared foods
Where: 197 John St. (north of Queen)
When: Wednesdays, 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. (June 5 to Oct. 30, 2014)
What's on offer: Tiny but centrally located baked goods (served in an adorable cafe, as well as at a stand), quesadillas, salad greens
Where: 4709 Dundas St. W. (at Islington)
When: Wednesdays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (year-round)
What's on offer: Wine, honey, ethically raised meat, bread and more at a historic location
Where: Urban Mews (Dundas St. W., east of Sackville)
When: Wednesdays, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. (starting June 25, 2014)
What's on offer: Halal meats, artisanal breads, cheeses, as well as offerings from rooftop and small plot gardeners, and local entertainment
Where: Lippincott Green P on Hanna St. (south of Bloor, east of Bathurst)
When: Wednesdays, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. (June 4 to Oct. 22, 2014)
What's on offer: Wood-burning pizza oven, living microgreens, flowers, meats, organic bread and eggs
Where: 875 Dufferin St. (south of Bloor)
When: Thursdays, 3:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. (all year-round)
What's on offer: Dark, organic chocolate, gluten-free baked goods, fish sandwiches and fritters, tofu and a wide variety of honey-oriented products (see full list of vendors here)
Where: Avenue Rd. and Roe Ave. (north of Lawrence)
When: Thursdays, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. (June 5 to Oct. 30, 2014)
What's on offer: Pot pies, soups, okra, preserves, smoked meats, food trucks
Where: 777 Lawrence Ave. E. (west of Leslie)
When: Thursdays, 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. (year-round)
What's on offer: Game meats, organic skincare, vegan options, African-inspired meals, roasted nuts
Where: East Lynn Park (south of Danforth, west of Woodbine)
When: Thursdays, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. (June 5 to Oct. 16, 2014)
What's on offer: Grass-fed meats, maple syrup, baby food, juices and smoothies, baked goods, crafts for kids
Where: David Pecaut Square (south of King, west of University)
When: Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (June 19 to Oct. 9, 2014); note: will be at Simcoe Park on May 29, June 5, June 12 and October 16
What's on offer: Sausage rolls, apple cider, house plants, peameal back bacon sandwiches, live music
Where: 5100 Yonge St. (between Sheppard and Finch)
When: Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (May 29 to Oct. 30, 2014)
What's on offer: Cheese, sausage, soap, artisanal breads and honey
Where: Sherway Gardens' northeast parking lot (Queensway and Highway 427)
When: Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (May 1 to Ot. 31, 2014)
What's on offer: Fresh baked good, local honey and honey products, lamb, farm fresh eggs
Where: 725 Logan Ave. (south of Danforth and Carlaw)
When: Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. (from end of May to end of October)
What's on offer: The Bus Kitchen's baked goods, farm-fresh heritage eggs, wines, kids' crafts, marinades, specialty veggies, and many, many more vendors
Where: Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St. (south of St. Clair)
When: Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (year-round)
What's on offer: Mustard, doughnuts, juices, honey products, game meats, stone-milled grains; music, children's entertainment, full-serve cafe
Where: 399 The West Mall (at Buramthorpe)
When: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (June 7 to November 1, 2014)
What's on offer: Apple fritters in maple syrup, orchard-grown fruits, natural smoked sausage, homemade jams
Where: 550 Bayview Ave. (off Bayview Extension)
When: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (starting April 26); 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (starting Nov. 9) (all year-round); also now open Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
What's on offer: Massive array of vendors, including everything from dumplings to seafood to sheep milk yogurt to handmade crafts; also children's entertainment
Where: Humber Bay Park West, 2225 Lakeshore Blvd. W. (south of Lakeshore)
When: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (May 31 to Oct. 11, 2014)
What's on offer: Cheeses and charcuterie, teas, root vegetables, duck eggs, pies, apple cider
Where: 2960 Dundas St. W. (west of Keele)
When: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (May 24 to Nov. 1, 2014)
What's on offer: Tree-ripened fruit, "Middle Eastern" tacos, ice cream sandwiches, kimchi, smoked barbecue meats
Where: 93 Front St. E. (at Church)
When: Saturdays, 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (year-round)
What's on offer: Game meats, fresh fish, wine, herbs, olives, honey, healthy Indian food
Where: 14 John St. (Weston Rd. and Lawrence)
When: Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (May 10 to Oct. 25, 2014)
What's on offer: Samosas, cinnamon buns, sausages, flowers, cider, savoury pies, back bacon sandwiches
Where: Jonathan Ashbridge Park (Queen St. E. between Gerrard and Coxwell)
When: Sundays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (May 25 to Oct. 26, 2014)
What's on offer: Multiple varieties of blueberries, sprouts, sustainable seafood, jerk chicken sandwiches
Where: Green P on Hanna St. (south of King, at Atlantic)
When: Sundays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (June 1 to Nov. 27, 2014)
What's on offer: Wine, cheese, tamales, baked goods, natural sweeteners, local musicians