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Tutti Frutti

Rating: 2.2/5 (49 votes)

Posted by Staff / Reviewed on January 14, 2008

36 Comments

Tutti Frutti TorontoTutti Frutti is a great health food store in Kensington Market which sells a variety of bulk cereals, flours, nuts and spices.

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36 Comments

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/ May 15, 2008 at 12:39 am
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good store but I find that the owners always treat me like I'm about to steal something--poor customer service.
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anonymous / May 16, 2008 at 10:12 am
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I think the customer service is great at Tutti Frutti. The staff are kind and always know where random, obscure things are.
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/ May 18, 2008 at 10:16 am
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I don't find their staff to be knowledgable about health products--I was sold something for the wrong purpose.
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Elle Driver / July 9, 2008 at 10:14 pm
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I'm a little late on the ball, but I recently found this place after a friend recommended it. I normally try to buy organic products - I'm addicted to Dr. Bronner's products - and I found the prices to be unbelievably affordable. Some of their products are sold even cheaper than if you ordered it directly from the maker! The woman at the front (whom I believe was the owner) was extremely friendly and courteous, and admitted that they usually try to sell at 10-15% less than the regular retail price. Highly HIGHLY recommended!
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mtron / October 26, 2008 at 07:20 pm
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Their bulk food selection is great, but have to agre with the first poster about being treated like you're stealing. It's not very pleasent.
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lor / February 9, 2009 at 08:15 pm
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I was just wondering in they sell any of lorna vanderheaghe products!
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ex shopper / February 14, 2009 at 03:42 pm
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I know what you mean about it being like you stole something. Today I purchased several things in the store, we spend about $100 a week there. I bent down to put the things in my backpack and left the store. I stopped outside to re-arrange my back pack and the male owner came outside and told me the door "beeped" when I left. It was rubbish. Two other people left at the same time as me because we actually laughed that we were all trying to get through the door at the same time. He asked me to come back inside the store to which I told him no, if you want to check my bag I have it all out in front of me (there was a table outside) he can check it right then and there. He kept saying "you beeped, you need to come back inside" I was incensed, I didn't take anything and he had no reason to accuse me, which he finally said, I think you took something and I haven't searched your body so I don't know if you did. The lady who had served me inside and has served me many times came out and said no, no don't worry about it.
He was still abusing me as I walked off.

We will not shop there again. We will take our $100 a week business and shop at Essence of Life which is several doors away.
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jiffypop / March 26, 2009 at 09:56 am
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The prices are good at Tutti Frutti considering how much that stuff usually costs at other more prominent stores like Noah's, but I do agree that the staff isn't very helpful. I don't think they speak much English, so that might be the prob. Essence of Life sometimes costs a bit more for certain items, but the staff is much more helpful and able to communicate. The young girl is the best for answers.
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jiffycrack / May 9, 2009 at 02:48 pm
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...upon buying the stuff the man told me to go inside a room behind the cash register. he and his wife touched me in places id rather not go into detail with.so disturbing
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Ellen / May 15, 2009 at 11:16 am
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Ok...I have shopped and several friends have and still shop at Tutti Frutti and have never had any problems. As for the "told me to go inside a room behind the cash register" there is no room behind the register! Weird!

I love their products, the service is always great, although yes I agree, I don't think they speak fluent english, and the prices are fantastic. A couple of years ago I was earning minimum wage and buying food from Tutti Frutti meant that I could actually afford to eat good food still and not resort on the trash at a lot of cheap grocery stores!

I have also been to Essence of life and really didn't like the store. But each to their own. :)
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Jacqueline / May 25, 2009 at 10:16 pm
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Just a note...I don't know how legitimate some of the comments above are...the store is not equipped with sensors at the door, so there is nothing to 'beep', the main staff are two middle aged women(it's family run), and there is no room behind the cash register - it is a wall full of supplements. Just a warning to readers to take everything they read with a grain of salt!

As for me, I'm a holistic nutritionist and find the prices at Tutti Frutti better than anywhere else downtown, and it's always my first stop, and then I go south to Essence of Life if I need a wider selection of frozen items, or fresh produce (which Tutti Frutti doesn't carry). I buy all my supplements and bulk food at Tutti Frutti and send my clients there, and have found they are helpful about ordering in products I need. Their markup is so little above wholesale that I find it more economical to buy everything there instead of stocking it myself.
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falsely accused / May 25, 2009 at 10:52 pm
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Thank you for confirming my point about being falsely accused of stealing because the door "beeped", my point in my blog was that there are no sensors, so it couldn't have beeped. There are more than just the two middle aged women that work there, there are male helpers, and the one who accused me of stealing is a part owner, his wife is one of the main servers. In fact, she was the one who intervened on my behalf and told him to leave me alone. So before you dismiss the legitimacy of other posts, how about reading them through. I don't care how cheap they are, if they are going to falsely accuse people of stealing and try and justify it by claiming they have sensors on the doors when they don't I won't shop there and people need to be wary of the same thing happening to them. We now spend our $500 a month at essence of life, lesson learned for tutti frutti.
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V / August 23, 2009 at 11:25 am
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@ Jiffycrack, who stated:

"upon buying the stuff the man told me to go inside a room behind the cash register. he and his wife touched me in places id rather not go into detail with.so disturbing"

So is your comment. Being a frequent customer of the store in discussion, there is NO room behind the cash register at the fron of the store.

As far as being 'falsely acused'....never happened.
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PF / October 2, 2009 at 12:00 pm
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I used to shop at this place frequently until I was accused of shop lifting and had my bags searched. The same thing happened to me as to other posters who went outside and placed their bags in backpacks. I did that and the male owner of the store went after me, told me to get back in the store and accused me of stealing. I let him search my bag since I didn't want to create a scene but felt violated. Since their prices are good I returned a few months later and was watched. The employees there have mostly been rude to me, particularly the owners. They also own a new shop across from King's Cafe (in Kensington), so if you don't want to give business to these people, avoid that store as well.

I started frequenting Essence of Life. They are more helpful and have a better selection. Most importantly, aren't rude. I, too, spend about $200 a month at health food stores but will no longer be leaving any money at Tutti Frutti.
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Lari / January 22, 2010 at 05:09 pm
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I shop both stores, but go to Essence of Life much more. The staff is super helpful there and I feel like I have built a relationship with them. When I move to Vancouver or Calgary, and come back years later, they always ask where I have been ?! and it feels like coming home! They answer all of my questions, make suggestions and even special order odd things they may not carry. I am really happy to see them expanding the supplement/health section. I've watched them be very patient with difficult customers and kind to everyone who comes in. I have never felt like they were watching me and my messenger bag, but will admit, I DO feel a little off at Tutti Frutti. It feels odd to be watched like a thief when you're spending good money somewhere. Essence of Life is the best shop in the 'Market to be sure!
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nat replying to a comment from ex shopper / February 13, 2010 at 09:10 am
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poor thing thats horrible i was gonna go there i change my mind too
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chloe / April 27, 2010 at 12:47 am
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The prices are amazing at this store. I come here for tea (it's cheaper than purchasing them anywhere else), natural almonds (they are always fresh) -I don't really expect to be treated like royalty at this store so honestly I don't really care about the above reviews. I went to this store for the first time last week and I'm going to keep going back because I like it.
-I haven't had a bad experience yet...
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arlene / May 23, 2010 at 06:26 pm
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i love tutti frutti
price wise -it's worth it!!
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nicole / May 31, 2010 at 10:51 pm
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I find this shop uncomfortable to go into because of the poor customer service. I take my business to Essence of Life instead
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Smed / July 3, 2010 at 05:44 pm
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I used to love this store, however unfortunately the last few times I have gotten moths in with my rice. Never had an issue with the service. The layout is certainly cramped. However after the moths.. I have to say I will be reluctant to go back.
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jane s. / November 7, 2010 at 06:47 pm
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been a customer for years but the past couple of times i've come home with expired products, which when it comes to health foods people are already shelling out extra cash. essence of life seems to be the better store these days.
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shore excursions in St.Petersburg / December 4, 2010 at 12:39 am
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Voglio solo dire che un grande blog è arrivato qui! Sono stato in giro per un bel po 'di tempo, ma finalmente deciso di mostrare il mio apprezzamento per il vostro lavoro! Thumbs up, e andare avanti!
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Jerry / February 24, 2011 at 11:10 am
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Pre visit comment. Called Essence Of Life to check on a hard to find product and was told flatly that they would not tell me the price over the phone. I explained that since it takes an hour and a half to get there this is important for me to know in advance due to many stores not carrying this product but the woman that answered the phone did not care at all. Going to Tutti Frutti instead since I was told the price and will gladly tell others the poor phone service from E.O.L. What is the big secret?
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buy anabolic steroids online uk / February 25, 2011 at 02:05 am
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Ah! finalmente ho trovato quello che cercavo. A volte ci vuole tanta fatica a trovare anche una minima parte di informazioni utili.
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buy winstrol / March 11, 2011 at 03:34 am
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Ehi, ho tentato di e-mail inerenti al presente post, ma aren? T in grado di raggiungere voi. Si prega di e-mail me quando ottiene un momento. Grazie.
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Rickster / March 19, 2011 at 11:00 am
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Carries the cheapest Blue Diamond Almond Milk in Toronto. When buying by the case, the price is $22.50 for 12. Less than $2 each.
Very helpful, and well stocked.
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collvery / April 13, 2011 at 10:53 pm
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I am a new guy! I like here!
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siuittoo / April 14, 2011 at 11:16 pm
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thank you,it is just what i need!
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Ellen replying to a comment from Smed / June 9, 2011 at 12:33 pm
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Just interested to know, did you tell them that there was a moth in your rice? At least that way they could check the rest of their stock. Perhaps it's because of where they bought it?

Also interested to know, for all of the people saying they have received bad service, what do you class as bad service? What 'good service' are you comparing it too?

I have shopped at both Tutti Frutti and EOL, and find that they are roughly the same, service wise. No one really says anything etc, although I do always get a smile at Tutti Frutti. Perhaps the owners are humans and have pre conceived notions about people that look or act a certain way. Considering the high rate of crime in the area, I think a lot of store owners are wary of people they consider 'suspicious'. Just sayin... ;)
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Jerry Hipsh / June 9, 2011 at 01:20 pm
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In reference to Ellen I can only speak from my experience. Excerpt from a previous comment.
"Called Essence Of Life to check on a hard to find product and was told flatly that they would not tell me the price over the phone. I explained that since it takes an hour and a half to get there this is important for me to know in advance due to many stores not carrying this product but the woman that answered the phone did not care at all." I was told the price right away calling Tutti Fruiti. Guess where I purchased my items even if it is a little more.
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Nancy / June 24, 2011 at 11:26 am
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I love Tutti Frutti. Their prices are the best even compared to Qi and Essence who have awesome prices as well. I have seen people steal from there and it happens alot. I am surprised to hear about the stories above. The owner is kind and if you give her a chance I am sure she'll give you one. I can't speak for the rest of the staff.
Good shopping!
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Sandra / August 21, 2011 at 10:40 pm
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I'm in that store constantly because I regularly find awesome bargains and great products.
The two older ladies are simply lovely and will never give you a hard time.
The problem is the older gentleman (the "boss") who seems to think everyone is stealing. We've (my husband and I ) have each been stopped even though we are well dressed and have spent hundreds of dollars in the store.
I sincerely think he is a bit mentally disturbed with some sort of over-active paranoia about other people's intentions.
If you relax and don't take his overly suspicious nature seriously or personally you can really enjoy shopping here.
And, luckily, suspicious guy is often absent from the store.
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bia / October 14, 2011 at 06:34 pm
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The owner (the guy at the cash) is rude and acts if he a guard at Fort Knox. Also they have two prices on a lot of stuff (sloppy) and then scream when people expect to pay lesser price. They never heard of customer service.
I will never shop there again.
Bia
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NEX-5 / November 16, 2011 at 12:58 pm
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Hai fatto alcuni buoni punti lì. Ho fatto una ricerca sul tema ed ha trovato maggior parte della gente sarà d'accordo.
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canon eos 600d kit / November 16, 2011 at 01:48 pm
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Post molto informativo. Grazie per aver condiviso la tua vista con noi.
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Location and Contact Details

64 Kensington Avenue (Get Directions)
416.593.9281
Kensington Market
Health Food

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