Food Shopping in Kensington Market - Toronto, Ontario

            Traveling from my former neighborhood--something of a food desert--in New York City, I was very excited to realize that my hostel in Toronto, Ontario was immediately adjacent to Kensington Market. 

            Live music and the chatter of people hummed through the streets of the busy side streets of Kensington Market. There was an organic farmers’ market-esq open air store, next to a Spanish grocery store, next to a Chinese grocery store. One left turn and I was suddenly surrounded by fish and meat markets. Further down the street after a right turn were cheese stores galore!

            The produce at the fruit and vegetable markets were fresh and although there were some obviously imported produce, there was a wide selection of local Ontario grown produce. The prices for fruits and vegetables were about the same as one would find in the northeastern United States.

            Most of the other foods were much cheaper than one would find in cities like New York City. Foods that would be deemed gourmet in New York City, were reasonably priced so that the average person would be able to afford. From real artisan chefs and food makers, these meats, cheeses and vegetarian protein rich items were well worth it!