Why now more than ever Toronto needs a Market City!

April 22nd, 2020

Currently, Toronto has more than 130 Public Food Markets (PFM) built from the ground up by strong community champions or key anchor organizations. They embrace a diverse range of models, audiences and mandates that respond to residents’ needs, and in many cases, deliver programs that address municipal gaps. However, the majority operate independently and have limited opportunities to collaborate and advocate for city support. More importantly, public food markets are not part of the municipal infrastructure nor embedded in city plans, policies or programs. Given this context, it has proven to be very difficult for public food markets to collectively advocate to be part of the relief efforts during COVID 19.

Toronto is not alone in these challenges; many cities around North America and the globe find themselves in a similar situation. That is why Project for Public Spaces (PPS) has launched the new Market Cities Initiative and has selected Toronto as one of three pilot cities! The project aims to expand the community benefits of public markets and to promote supportive policies and investments in market infrastructure. Pittsburgh, PA, and Seattle, WA, were the other two cities selected to participate in the program.

Read the full media release https://www.pps.org/article/kickstarting-market-city-strategies-in-pittsburgh-seattle-toronto

Learn about the types of public food markets in the city of Toronto and the current impact of COVID 19 in this presentation (Read more).

Given the impacts of COVID19 on markets, forcing many to close, the TFPC and Public Market organizations are working hard to help markets re-open and continue serving their communities.