On Wednesday, June 4, the Bloor-Borden farmers’ market returned for its 19th year. It is a beloved institution that has been nestled in the Green P parking lot on the south side of Bloor behind Crafty Coyote for nearly two decades. Helen, the driving force behind the market, can be found at the information booth every week without fail. It takes an army of volunteers to bring this market to our neighbourhood but it’s worth it. Though it is an important source of farm fresh produce, it also acts as a gathering spot for so many people in our community. It is our town square where we can catch up on the latest happenings in the neighbourhood, meet politicians willingly to get an earful, and meet people face-to-face in a world dominated by fast food delivery. 

The babies who came in strollers in the first year can now vote and drink. Some have even graced the volunteer table as young volunteers. The Bloor-Borden market allows city dwellers to directly support farmers who do the important work of growing food. It ensures they can earn enough to keep their farms alive, and it gives us city folks access to the freshest food that hasn’t been sitting in a shipping container for weeks. 

Rain or shine, this market will run from the first week of June until the end of October. We will be there every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. This year’s market will feature a lot of returning vendors as well as some new ones. Come grab your groceries, get a snack, and enjoy some live music. Remember to bring your reusable bags and containers. The amount of plastic our market produces has visibly reduced over the past 19 years. As a community, let’s also strive to make a no waste market. 

—Terri Chu/Gleaner News