Produce Market

We are proud to offer our community fresh produce at wholesale prices, with FREE food options for low-income individuals and families.

Please see all of the details below to find out how it works, who can access it, ways that you can help , as well as the time and location.

Each week, we will pick up fresh fruits & vegetables directly from various suppliers, including the Ontario Food Terminal, as well as bread from local bakeries, to distribute at the market.

Clients will get 12-30 credits to spend at the market every other week. Credits are FREE for low-income clients.  Individuals/families that exceed the maximum income limit can purchase credits for $1 each with a minimum $20 purchase. (see income/household members below).

Then everyone will shop the market, spending their credits on the produce that they want, with the types of fruits and vegetables varying from week to week.

All additional produce will be sold at discount pricing with no profit to the organization, so that the community can get fresh produce at the absolute lowest prices without grocery store markups.

We accept debit, credit & cash. Prices will vary from one week to the next, depending on how much we pay for the produce.

Please see below to learn more about our FREE items!

👉 Don't forget to register for PRIORITY SERVICE below! 👈

Location: Our Market will be hosted at SPACE UNLTD, a local gallery and event space, which is wheelchair accessible.

Address: 1213 Bathurst St, side door

Hours: Wednesdays, doors open at 3:00pm, market runs from 4:00pm-6:00pm. We suggest that you arrive no earlier than 30 minutes beforehand, and are prepared with your photo ID/NOA on the first visit, and your membership card going forward.

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible location, with the exception of the bathroom.

Currently our market is accessible to ALL residents of Toronto with an M postal code. Additional registration required for low-income families who will receive FREE items. 

BOTH low-income & non-low-income clients can register for PRIORITY SERVICE!

✔️ STEP ONE

When you arrive at the market for the first time, you'll line up in either the "Priority Service" line or "Drop-In" line, depending on if you REGISTER BELOW or not.

✔️ STEP TWO

Next, you'll be asked to complete our Registration, with your Notice of Assessment  and Original Photo ID (driver's license, passport, health card, Ontario ID card, Native status card, permanent residency card, or refugee docs... NO pictures or photocopies of any IDs permitted) for ALL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS (birth certificate is permitted for children under 18 only). 

✔️ STEP THREE

Then, you'll be assigned a number and given an access card that you need to bring each week.

The questions on the Registration will include: 

1. First & last name of primary household member & spouse (photo ID required, see above for valid forms of ID)

2. Number of family members residing in the home. (ID required for EVERYONE living in your home, and photo ID for all adults over 18)

3. Phone number & Email (to notify you about upcoming supports)

4. Full home address, including postal code (must start with an M)

5. Source of income (OW, ODSP, Pension, Job)

6. Total income (from all NOAs in the home)

7. Type of housing (house, apt, shelter, unhoused, co-op, seniors building, etc)

* All information collected will be retained by Toronto Cares, and only unidentifiable information will be shared with outside organizations to help us obtain funding.

If your income level is BELOW the following thresholds on your most recent Notice Of Assessment, then you qualify for the FREE produce and other items. 

1 person → $30,526 income (12 credits)

2 people → $38,003 income (15 credits)

3 people → $46,720 income (18 credits)

4 people → $56,724 income (21 credits)

5 people → $64,336 income (24 credits)

6 people → $72,560 income (27 credits)

7+ people → $80,785 income (30 credits)

* These are the government's guidelines for low-income in a major city.

Not low-income? You can still purchase produce at discount pricing. Credits are $1 each, minimum $20 purchase required.

1. Each week we will have a limited amount of FREE bread.

2. We will also have a variety of fruits and vegetables that will be provided FREE each week (12-30 items per family, dependent on size of family)

3. From time to time we will have other free non-perishable items donated by different businesses, that will also be accessible for FREE.

NO PURCHASE IS REQUIRED TO ACCESS THE FREE ITEMS!!!

We rely on volunteers & donors like you to run our programs. Please see below for the ways you can help.

See more details below...

Visit our 'Volunteer Opportunities' page to register as a volunteer, then you will get an email each time there's a new chance to help.

We need the (3) types of volunteers each week for this event:

1. Drivers to pickup the bread & produce on Wednesday mornings. (8-10 am)

2. Sorters to inventory the produce and set up the market. (flexible times, between 10am-4:00pm)

3. Servers to help the clients pick out their items & distribute, as well as clean-up. (4:00pm-7:00pm)

Please click the button below to visit our 'Volunteer Opportunities' page, where you can register to join our mailing list to get notified about all upcoming volunteering availabilities.

Would your team of 5-15 employees like to volunteer at our market? For a donation of $2,500 your team will provide fresh produce to the community while bonding as a team, and fulfilling your corporate responsibilities. You'll also be provided with a tax receipt.

Whether it's a one time donation, or you wish to become a monthly donor... the more donations we get, the more fresh produce we can give away for free.

If you or your business would like to donate any food to our program, we'd be happy to distribute them to our clients.

Please contact Sarah at:

Call/text: 647-451-3663

Email: helping.toronto.2020@gmail.com