East Lynn Farmers Market

A good and convenient open market with a balanced selection of fruit, vegetables, baked goods and meats. Something for everyone in the East Danforth Village.

My whole family loves going to the East Lynn Farmers’ Market each week. Beyond the amazing produce, fresh cheese, breads and maple syrup… there is wine, food vendors, live entertainment, kids face painting, crafts and so much more. It’s an afternoon/​evening of fun.

By far one of my favourite Farmer’s Market. Located in the east Danforth area, although small– it’s one not to miss. The market runs Thursday’s from 3−7pm, perfect for anyone who works during the day. From the local restaurants (my personal fave, The Borough), to the produce, to the live music & the giant playground for kids… what’s not to love. Bonus: once a month the nurses from Toronto East General Hospital ER hand out health resources & treats for kids.

SK why don’t you go on a colder day. The vendors prefer to save money on the refrigeration. Farmers Market runs from May (?) until the last Thursday of October. I’d love to see more vendors but when we have to get them from St Catharines clearly its in its infancy. It’s great for the community and if you go late the vendors usually don’t want to carry anything back to their car/​van/​trucks. Hint hint. I’ve been really happy with all my root vegetables, pickled goods, heirloom tomatoes and potatoes I’ve bought here weekly. Outside of that I am probably not going to the market.

East Lynn Park is one of the best parks in the East End, especially in the summer. It’s complete with a beautiful new play structure, a fantastic and clean splash pad and a Farmer’s Market every Thursday from 3 – 7 p.m., so even if you don’t have the pleasure of being home during the day, you can hit it up on the way home from work, just in time for dinner.
I went for the first time a few weeks ago and EVERYTHING was in season– heirloom tomatoes, peaches, rhubarb, etc. It was an amazing cornucopia of colourful, fresh and local veggies and fruits.
Here’s my beef– expensive. Yup. I like local as much as the next guy, but I feel like that should be reflected in the cost. I expect to pay $ 5 for a dragonfruit because it was flown halfway around the world and your carbon footprint should cost you, but the same local produce in the big chain grocers was cheaper during this particular week which is upsetting, because while it’s a lovely small-​town feel, it doesn’t come with those prices.

Expensive. And, make sure you pick up the product and turn it around and really look at it… my bok chou was covered in slugs and all eaten up on the side that was facing the vendor of course. Waste of time & money… will not go back.

I stopped in on a Thursday just after 5 PM, heading home from work, and there was no Farmers Market! I was so excited to check it out but there wasn’t anything there which was very disappointing. I wandered through the park and couldn’t find anything :(

East Lynn Park has to be one of the best places for a farmers market. Why? Because in the summer it has one of the best and most coveted splash pads in the area that tons of organic lovin’ mom’s flock towards with their kidlets. That being said, its the perfect opportunity to have many stalls and a thriving marketplace. I visited the farmers market pretty early on in the season but I can definitely say that I’ve been to better — and more reasonably priced markets in the GTA. I love the idea of having a farmers market but I don’t love the idea of paying $ 7 for a carrot when I can get 700 carrots for $ 3.
That may be an exaggeration, I rarely buy carrots that aren’t pre-​made for dippin.

Hopefully, it’s just early in the season and things will improve, but so far I’m not nearly as impressed this year as I was last year. They’ve changed the layout but not for the better. This year the vendors are all down at the bottom of the hill — completely invisible from the danforth. In the old location there was plenty of space so you could quickly peruse the goods, make some purchases and hop back on the bike. Now you’ve got to walk a gantlet that is chalk-​a-​block with people who want to give you balloon animals, etc.
I think it’s great that the market is a community hub, but if it’s not going to be first and foremost a market, it’s not going to attract farmers. Why is DECA (a very worthy community group) occupying the stall nearest to the danforth while the only vendor who is selling actual produce has the very last stall at the far end of the park?
I hope this market will return to its former glory.

Popped in on the way home from work (the market is open until 7), and enjoyed a quick shop in the park.
There aren’t that many vendors, which is an obvious downside, and those used to shopping at the larger farmers markets may be disappointed. However, there’s a fine selection of fresh local produce, with some great looking fruit and veg, bread, goats cheese and more. Prices are a bit steep, but the quality is there, and you’re paying the farmer a fair price.