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Where to find yummy Ontario strawberries

I bought some great berries at East Lynn Farmers Market last week, but can't wait until Thursday to get some more. Anybody know where fresh, tasty Ontario berries are to be found?

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  1. The ones I got at Longo's last week were delicious.

    3 Replies
    1. re: TorontoJo

      Thank you! I should have thought of them. Will drive up there today.

      1. re: Full tummy

        I picked up 4 baskets on Friday and there weren't many left. I'm assuming/hoping they restocked over the weekend, as there should still be several weeks left for strawberry season. They were tiny and so sweet and juicy. Such a lovely change from the California monster strawberries.

        1. re: TorontoJo

          Just called the York Mills location and was told they have them. Thanks for the warning!

    2. The farmers market at the East York civic centre on Tuesdays will have them. They were available up to September last year.

      2 Replies
      1. re: sloweater

        Thanks, sloweater! That is close to me, so I will try to get there tomorrow.

        1. re: Full tummy

          I'll be heading there this morning for some, my favourite time of year! If you can't make that market then Riverdale Farm also has one today from 3-7.

      2. I bought some amazing ones at the Etobicoke Civic Centre farmers market. There's about 7 vendors that really great ones there. I also spotted real Ontario strawberries at Superstore (2 of them). They're about the same price as the one at the farmers market and just as flavourful as well. They're packaged up a bit more neatly and cleaner than the ones at the farmers market. That's the only difference.

        2 Replies
        1. re: Nevy

          Thanks, Nevy. I bought a basket of strawberries (not sure where from) at Loblaws last week only to get them home and discover that what looked nice on top was a pile of mush on the bottom. V. frustrating.

          1. re: Full tummy

            Ugh, I hate that. I always flip the containers over to check out if there are some super ripe ones on the bottom to avoid that. The ones at Superstore this weekend weren't as ripe as the ones at the Farmers Market so I think they'll be juicy ripe in a day or so. The ones I got at the farmers market were bursting in juices and a vibrant red. My cutting board looked like I was handling steak instead of strawberries!

        2. i find the best ones you get are the ones you pick yourself, much better than the ones from the store where quality in the box is questionable.

          6 Replies
          1. re: youdonut

            For sure as things are freshest that way. But, where is there a place near the GTA where you can pick them now?

            1. re: Flexitarian

              Whittamore's started picking this past Saturday. I have picked both strawberries and raspberries there going on a few years now. It's a bit of a trek so I usually just go once a season for each fruit, but definitely worth it if you make jam or want to freeze a bunch.
              If you time it right you can pick various veggies too.

              1. re: cheesymama

                If you happen to go on a Saturday, make sure you go early. The lineups can be huge. I went last year, and on our way out, the cars waiting to park and then pick were bumper to bumper along the lane that runs through the farm (that's about 1km, easy).

                1. re: cheesymama

                  Just called Whittamore's, strange enough, none of the girls who answered the phone knew about the container pricing? Does anyone know how they weigh the strawberries if I were to bring my own containers? Do I empty the strawberries when finished and then they get weighed?


                  1. re: red dragon

                    They will weigh your containers before you pick and mark the weight on them. When you are done picking they will put the appropriate tare on the scale before weighing your berries. I always take my own (odd) containers from home and it is never a problem.
                    I'm hoping to go picking next week-end - just opened our last jar of jam from last year's batches!

                    1. re: cheesymama

                      Thanks cheesymama, I thought it would be something like that ... lol

                      I plan to take some flat containers so they won't get squished.

            2. I found some this morning at the Sobey's at Yonge & St. Clair. I imagine they're available chain wide.

              1 Reply
              1. re: eller

                There have been lots at Fiesta Farms over the past week.