Toronto, Ontario - The Afro Caribbean Farmers’ Market, Canada’s first culturally specific farmers’ market kicks off its second season on Sunday July 3 and runs 13 weeks to September 25 from 11am to 3pm in Toronto’s LITTLE JAMAICA neighborhood. The Green P Carpark located at 1531 Eglinton Ave West, will once again turn into a festive and fun food centered space that celebrates Afro Caribbean culture! York-Eglinton BIA hosts Toronto’s most colorful and spicy farmers’ market.

This 2022 season sees growth and expansion with an added NEW Saturday market on LITTLE KEELE STREET, in Toronto’s York-Weston neighborhood. The Eglinton Hill BIA hosts this Saturday market that starts July 9 and runs 11 weeks to September 17, from 11am to 3pm.

1856 & 1993 Keele Street, also known as LITTLE KEELE STREET, will be the vibrant small town backdrop that faces the very busy Eglinton Ave West corridor. The Eglinton Hill, Caledonia Ave, Keele Street and Trethewey neighborhoods can now look forward to this awesome addition to their Saturday neighborhood streetscape!

“Eglinton Hill BIA is proud to announce its first ever farmers’ market. With the LRT construction coming to an end, the streets of Keele and Eglinton are finally open. What better way to celebrate than have a farmers’ market to kick off the summer right through to the fall. Our new farmers’ market will bring life and vibrancy to our BIA and BIA members”

Steve Tasses President, Eglinton Hill BIA

The Afro Caribbean Farmers’ Market continues to celebrate the African and Caribbean expression of culture through food, by providing an amazing platform for local growers and food producers of the diaspora.

The 2021 season saw 10 000 visitors to LITTLE JAMAICA and our goal is to add 10% more. With the added Saturday market in LITTLE KEELE STREET, we want to bring the same magic to the York-Weston neighborhood community and business center, another stretch of Eglinton Ave West also impacted by the Metrolinx/Crosstown expansion.

Farmers’ market enthusiasts and Food market lovers, can choose from a total of 24 market dates, with 30+ market purveyors between each market. Our rotation of purveyors will help to keep our weekly markets fresh and fun!

"It was a pleasure to work closely with Lori Beazer to bring this market to Eglinton. The Afro-Caribbean Farmer's Market provides residents with access to fresh produce and delicious food that reflects our city's Caribbean communities and African diaspora. It also creates a vibrant and animated 'town square' every Sunday that brings people together and contributes to the economic and cultural development of Little Jamaica. The market will help preserve and protect the Black cultural heritage of Eglinton West and will revitalize the surrounding commercial district that has been negatively impacted by LRT construction."

Josh Matlow, City Councillor of Toronto-St.Paul's

The Sunday LITTLE JAMAICA market visitors will experience the added Afro Caribbean Food Truck Annex. A NEW dine-in area adjacent to Reggae Lane, thanks to our friends at Daniels Development! The NEW Food Truck Annex will boast West African, Ethiopian and Caribbean/North American fusion, like jerk chicken poutine, seafood broil, roti and doubles!

Also, on Sundays an added vendor space along the southside curb lane of Eglinton avenue will now host community groups and organizations that want to engage in more community outreach.

“Thank you City of Toronto’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit and Economic Development & Culture for recognizing this initiative and for providing the much needed financial support for this market season. It is only because of this support that I am able to do this work. I am grateful and filled with gratitude!”

-Lori Beazer

Market Manager

The Afro Caribbean Farmers’ Market continues with its own market currency, called ‘Callaloo

Cash’ a market currency program that will help to subsidize and reduce financial barriers for low-income eaters. Our market does not want to leave anyone out, we want everyone to have access to healthy clean food.

This season sees organizations making more contributions to this voucher program. Those in need can visit our website, to see where they can receive their vouchers.

Join us in LITTLE JAMAICA on Sunday July 3 at 11am and LITTLE KEELE STREET on Saturday July 9 at 11am, as we celebrate our market opening days with the cutting of the Ivy and the pouring of libations!

We are the Farmers’ Market in LITTLE places doing BIG things!

Contact: Lori Beazer (Market Manager) afrocaribbeanfm@gmail.com

Visit us at afrocaribbeanfarmersmarket.com