Today, the City of Toronto announced the St. Lawrence Market Saturday Farmers Market will resume full operations so it can provide essential food retail to residents.
The St. Lawrence Market Complex is a public food market that provides fresh and prepared foods to local residents. The Market believes in the importance of local food systems and is committed to providing food access.
The City of Toronto has reviewed the Province of Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework for areas in Grey – Lockdown as it applies to the Saturday-only Farmers Market. The Farmers Market has long been a weekly aspect of the permanent indoor St. Lawrence Market, which is permitted to be open under the regulations as it is essential food retail. This allows the Saturday Farmers Market to operate indoors with COVID-19 precautions in place.
St. Lawrence Market works closely with Toronto Public Health who have guidance for the safe operation of indoor Farmers Market. The provision of fresh food to the community also has positive health benefits, especially during the circumstances of Lockdown.
During the COVID-19 health emergency the St. Lawrence Market Complex has implemented extensive precautions to keep all customers, merchants, farmers and vendors safe and help stop the spread of COVID-19. Precautions include strict line management, including while outdoors in lines, mandatory use of masks in all areas of the St. Lawrence Market Complex, enhanced sanitization, appropriate physical distancing, entrance management and continuously monitored capacity management at all times in all Market buildings.
The Farmers Market will be open from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
The South (main) Market building at 91 to 95 Front Street East has remained open during the COVID-19 health emergency and is open Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For further information about the St. Lawrence Market Complex, including operations during the COVID-19 health emergency, please visit stlawrencemarket.com, or connect on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
All people in Toronto should be adopting steps for self-protection. Individuals should only consider leaving their homes for essential activities such as work, education and fresh air and exercise. As much as possible, residents are asked to limit contact to people in the same household, keep at least six feet apart from people not in the same household and wear a mask when outside of their homes, especially in indoor settings and when physical distancing is difficult. Residents should wash hands frequently and remain at home when ill.
The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice and information about City services, social supports and economic recovery measures. Check toronto.ca/covid-19 for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.
Quotes:
“I am pleased that the St. Lawrence Market Farmers Market will be fully open this Saturday while following all COVID-19 precautions. For hundreds of years our Market has supported the farmers of Ontario who do the important work of providing fresh food to residents in Toronto and across the province.”
– Mayor John Tory
“The St. Lawrence Market Farmers Market is an important component of our community and the local food economy. Many residents rely on this weekly food market for their regular groceries. We are looking forward to seeing all of the regular Farmers Market vendors on Saturday.”
– Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre)
“Ensuring that people have access to fresh local food continues to be an important component of public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am glad to hear that the Farmers Market will continue to operate as usual as a critical part of the local food system for area residents.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York)
St. Lawrence Market is a renowned international food market featuring 120 merchants, vendors and farmers, offering fresh produce, meats and specialty items. Serving Toronto residents and international visitors since 1803, the market is regularly recognized as one of Toronto’s most popular destinations and was ranked the number one food market in the world by National Geographic. The St. Lawrence Market Complex consists of St. Lawrence Hall, the South Market and the North Market – the latter now in its temporary home at 125 The Esplanade.
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.