25 great farmers' markets in and around the GTA

Farmers' markets in 416

Riverdale Farm
Where it is: Toronto
Where to find it online: toronto.ca/parks
What you’ll find at the market: Honey, waffles, organic pet food, fresh-baked sourdough bread
Why it’s great for families: Ride your bike along the Don River; visit with sheep, goats, chicks and pigs

Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers’ Market
Where it is: Toronto
Where to find it online: dufferinpark.ca
What you’ll find at the market: Fresh and smoked fish, sweet potatoes, chocolate
Why it’s great for families: Kids can jump into the wading pool, dive into the sandpit or run around the playground

East Lynn Farmers’ Market
Where it is: Toronto
Where to find it online: eastlynnfarmersmarket.com
What you’ll find at the market: Peaches, sweet and sour cherries, raspberries
Why it’s great for families: Kids will love the face painting, parents will love the free events!

Markets by the Bluffs
Where it is: Toronto
Where to find it online: marketsbythebluffs.com
What you’ll find at the market: Peas, beets, carrots, melons
Why it’s great for families: Organic produce; regular performances by musicians

Farmers' markets in 905

Newmarket Farmers’ Market
Where it is: Newmarket
Where to find it online: newmarketfarmersmarket.com
What you’ll find at the market: Handmade soaps, cookies, ostrich meat, fresh-pressed cider
Why it’s great for families: Horse-drawn wagon rides will give everyone a chance to relax and munch on the organic goodies

Brampton Famers’ Market
Where it is: Brampton
Where to find it online: brampton.ca
What you’ll find at the market: Handmade crafts, jams, baked goods
Why it’s great for families: Catch an outdoor theatre performance every Saturday at the Garden Square from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Southbrook Pumpkin Patch
Where it is: Richmond Hill
Where to find it online: southbrookpumpkinpatch
What you’ll find at the market: Pumpkins, caramel apples, ice cream
Why it’s great for families: Rides, caricature drawings, and games every weekend in October

Downey’s Farm Market
Where it is: Brampton
Where to find it online: downeysfarm.com
What you’ll find at the market: Pumpkin doughnuts, asparagus, maple sugar candy
Why it’s great for families: Leave enough time to stop at the Kritter Korral to pet and feed the farm’s calves, llama, sheep, rabbits and goats

Springridge Farm
Where it is: Milton
Where to find it online: springridgefarm.com
What you’ll find at the market: Hanging flower baskets, cherries, sweet peas
Why it’s great for families: Ponies! $3 is all your child needs to climb aboard their very own little pony

The Village Market
Where it is: Thornhill
Where to find it online: villagemarket.ca
What you’ll find at the market: Apples, yogurt, milk
Why it’s great for families: Live music every week will keep your toes tapping as you stroll from vendor to vendor; conveniently located on Yonge Street

Caledon Farmers’ Market
Where it is: Bolton
Where to find it online: town.caledon.on.ca
What you’ll find at the market: Fudge, locally raised beef and lamb
Why it’s great for families: This new market lets kids get in touch with the seasonal foods and make their own strawberry jam and tasty salsas. When the food isn’t quite ripe, kids can be entertained at the craft corner

Whittamore’s Farm
Where it is: Markham
Where to find it online: whittamoresfarm.com
What you’ll find at the market: Cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, gooseberries
Why it’s great for families: Kids are welcome to climb aboard the 1950s tractor, tackle the giant two-story tree fort and ride down the gigantic strawberry mountain slide

Forsythe Family Farms
Where it is: Markham
Where to find it online: pickyourown.org
What you’ll find at the market: Sugar snap peas, asparagus, hamburger patties
Why it’s great for families: Tavel through the “enchanted Forest” as classic fairytales are reenacted along your journey through this magical forest

Frootogo Orchards
Where it is: Waterdown
Where to find it online: frootogo.ca
What you’ll find at the market: Pears, plums, squash
Why it’s great for families: This farm’s pick-your-own produce program lets kids see exactly where their fruits and veggies come from. As up close and personal to the farm as it gets.

Georgetown Farmers’ Market
Where it is: Georgetown
Where to find it online: downtowngeorgetown.com
What you’ll find at the market: Tomatoes, juicy strawberries, honey
Why it’s great for families: The annual Raspberry Festival features face painting, mascots, colouring, baking contests and yummy raspberry pancakes

Pingle’s Farm Market
Where it is: Hampton
Where to find it online: pickyourown.org
What you’ll find at the market: Sweet corn, watermelon, cucumbers
Why it’s great for families: This family-owned farm boasts an eight-acre Giant Corn Maze. The twists, turns and dead-ends about an hour to work out. By the time you reach the exit, you’ll be ready for some more farm-fresh goodies

Aurora Farmers’ Market
Where it is: Aurora
Where to find it online: greenbeltfresh.ca
What you’ll find at the market: Coffee, nuts, wooden crafts
Why it’s great for families: Kids can frolic in the water splash pad or race around the baseball diamond just around the corner

Stonehaven Farms
Where it is: Campbellville
Where to find it online: stonehavenfarms.com
What you’ll find at the market: Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries
Why it’s great for families: Kids can practice their climbing skills on the straw bales or navigate their way through the straw bale maze

Puddicombe Estate Farms & Winery
Where it is: Winona
Where to find it: puddicombefarms.com
What you’ll find there: Wine, peaches, plums
Why it’s great for families: After sampling the wine, climb aboard the Puddicombe train “Little Pudd” for a tour of the vineyard, orchards and waterways. Don’t forget to see the Peacocks before you leave

Farmers' markets in 519

Kitchener Market
Where it is: Kitchener
Where to find it online: kitchenermarket.ca
What you’ll find at the market: Jams, jellies, tropical fruits, strudel
Why it’s great for families: Kids can learn to whip up farm-fresh meals like bacon and eggs in weekend cooking classes

St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market
Where it is: Waterloo
Where to find it online: stjacobs.com
What you’ll find at the market: Apple fritters, sausage, pure maple syrup
Why it’s great for families: A ton of local produce to choose from; kids can check out the market petting zoo

Snyder Family Farm
Where it is: Kitchener
Where to find it online: snydersfamilyfarm.com
What you’ll find at the market: Flowers, pumpkins, gourds
Why it’s great for families: Animals, clowns and wagon rides

Minto Farmers’ Market Association
Where it is: Clifford, ON
Where to find it online: farmersmarketsontario.com
What you’ll find at the market: Lettuce, asparagus, herbs, flowers
Why it’s great for families: OThe Zucchini 500 lets kids create their own racecars from zucchinis and test drive their creations

Market on Broadway
Where it is: Orangeville
Where to find it online: thehillsofheadwaters.com
What you’ll find at the market: Rhubarb, green and yellow beans, shiitake mushrooms
Why it’s great for families: Special events planned every weekend

Farmers' markets in 705

Argyle Farmers’ Market
Where it is: Port Loring
Where to find it online: farmersmarketsontario.com
What you’ll find there: Handmade arts and crafts, baked goods, jewelry
Why it’s great for families: Kids familiar with the Argyle Farmers’ Market are on the lookout for “Happy” the clown and his specialty: animal balloons