The Best Fruit & Vegetable Stores in Toronto

Shaun Smith on August 22, 2008 10:24 AM

Hard to believe College Fruit Market made this list at all, let alone the second spot. They carry nothing but b-grade produce--often over ripe, half rotten, or infested with bugs.

The wonderful Ko's on Roncesvalles should have taken that spot.

Catherine on August 22, 2008 10:39 AM

@Shaun Smith -- Our call for nominations is still open (until Monday). You're welcome to vote and get your say in the next round.

doogiehowser on August 22, 2008 11:27 AM

I second the comment about College Fruit Market. I practically live across the street from them and how I wish they merited being #2. Unfortunately their produce is always on the verge of being rotten and the place is infested with flies. Shopping there is a pretty unpleasant experience (at least when you're inside). It's really unfortunate because I'd much rather shop there than at a larger grocery store (such as the nearby Dominion). It's a cheap place to buy smokes though.

Anon on August 22, 2008 12:43 PM

Crazy, I was going to say something about College Fruit Market, but not one but two people have beaten me to it. Their prices are cheaper than the local Dominion (soon to be Metro), but their fruit is definitely caveat emptor. If you're going to eat it THAT DAY, okay, otherwise, take a pass. My impression is that the little old penny-pinching ladies shop there... they'd rather save a loonie than get the freshest produce. Which is okay, but the ideal store would be inexpensive AND have fresh fruit, right?

On the other hand, I've gotten a few bad things from Dominion too, so no one's perfect.

Rachel on August 22, 2008 2:05 PM

Living on College, I like College Fruit Market for its convenience, but most times I come out of there amid a swarm of flies fresh off of rotting fruit. Definitely cheaper than Dominion, but you can't show up there expecting to find green peppers or an eggplant- some days they'll have them, other days they won't..or you'll just find their rotting remains. Unless you're looking for any vegetable/fruit and nothing specific to eat that same day, I'd rather throw the extra money at Dominion's fresher stuff. All I can say is at least they are very friendly there.

The markets on Roncesvalles win hands down.

Shaun Smith on August 22, 2008 2:17 PM

@Catherine - Fruit & Veg is not listed in that link as a category.

Catherine on August 22, 2008 2:31 PM

@Shaun Smith - Sadly no, this is a fresh round of "best ofs", so you'll have to settle for correcting this Fruit & Veg in the comments.

But you can weigh in on all the new categories to keep us on track for next time.

@all - Fair comments on College Fruit Market. Part of the point of this list is to have a mix of places, not only expensive and perfect (like Harvest Wagon).

Listed above are shops in lots of different neighbourhoods, for lots of different purposes, and for different specialties -- and sometimes those specialties include buying cheap-but-great-to-eat-same-day.

Please do use the comments to suggest anything we've missed (or to pick out your favourite from the list).

Dave on August 22, 2008 4:12 PM

Sorry - just to put my two cents in...

@Catherine - errmmm... isn't the point of these lists (being called "Best of") to point out the best? ie, in this case maybe cheap and pretty close to perfect?

I mean, you wouldn't expect to see McDonald's or a place that's cheap and somewhat crappy food on a Best Restaurant in Toronto list, right?

Catherine on August 22, 2008 4:29 PM

@Dave - your two cents are welcome, no need to be sorry.

Perhaps I should have said cheap-and-great-to-eat-same day. I'm not suggesting "meh, fruit flies, brush'em off". Stores are only on here if they're genuinely perceived to be a good place to buy fruit and/or veg.

A McDonald's is just crap food no matter when you go. In my comment above, I was saying there may be places here where you can score a great deal on good fruits to eat in the next day or two. There's nothing wrong with buying a mango that is ripe today but wouldn't last another 5 days. Or with a store where that's their business. It's how, I suspect, a lot of the little guys survive.

It's a diverse list. To your point of cheap (or cheapish) and pretty close to perfect, I'd say head to Maple Produce, Pusateri, and Valley Farm.

sundae on August 24, 2008 12:06 PM

you missed a great little place on st clair west called diana's, where the produce is always top-notch

Alexandra on August 24, 2008 3:59 PM

I love Pusateri Fruit Market. Luckily, I live around the corner from there and do a lot of my shopping there.

Kenn on September 3, 2008 12:56 PM

If you're looking for a good selection of organic fruit, veg and a full range of healthy stuff, you have to try the Sweet Potato in the Junction. Not only do they have great stuff but they're open 8am - 8pm seven days a week.

Well-priced too.

Jonathan on September 25, 2008 11:27 AM

I think Oxford, while it carries decent produce, is at best the #3 or #4 greengrocer in Kensington (and I live in Kensington).

I might get some of the store names wrong here (but the locations are solid): Kensington produce at St. Andrew and Kensington is consistently good for freshness, price and selection; Sun Wah at Augusta and Baldwin has probably the best price-quality balance in the market if you're on a budget; the Baldwin and Kensington guy is open 9-9 and has some nice stuff, though not always the cheapest; and 4 Life Naturals at Augusta and Nassau, right across from Oxford Fruit Market, is hands-down the winner for local/organic and has The Best Music in Kensington any day of the week.

(cross-posted to the specific entry for Oxford Fruit)

PS I don't want to nominate anything, only kvetch ;P

john on euclid on October 27, 2008 11:14 AM

okay there seems to be pretty widespread agreement to ditch the College Fruit Market, which is good because it opens up a space for the truly excellent - though oddly named -- SQUARE FRUIT MARKET which is 3 blocks west of Bathurst on the north side of Queen West, at Euclid Ave. Many's the downtown working stiff who stops off on the way from downtown to the west-end to avail themselves of this small but outstanding fruit and veg shop. Listen carefully at your next dinner party -- people know this place, and LOVE it.