Best of Toronto
The Best Health Food Stores in Toronto
Health food stores have come a long way, baby. When I was young, and my well-intentioned hippie parents were raising us on a diet of fruit leathers and wild rice casseroles, I spent a great deal of time in health food stores. If I close my eyes, I can still see the giant unmarked tubs of natural peanut butter, and smell the slightly astringent smell of chewable vitamin C.
But right around the time Lisa Simpson admitted she was going to marry a carrot, things started getting better for healthy eaters. A lot better. Even these days, while big business is slapping 'natural' and 'organic' all over themselves, independent health food stores are increasingly mainstream, stylish, and plentiful, with fantastic options all over downtown Toronto.
Maybe it's because of the health food store's 'little guy' persona, but people get a bit fanatical and protective when it comes to their favourite health food supplier. Health food stores in Toronto are still largely independent, and there actually is very often a little guy (or girl, or family) behind them. Health food stores have personality. Finding the one that fits well with you turns casual shoppers into devotees and missionaries ("Where do you get your slivered almonds? Oh no no no.").
Fortunately, Torontonians have a lot of choice on where to go for our fresh local produce, natural cleaners, aluminum-free deodorant, animal-free soaps, and bulk lentils. So toss a few reusable shopping bags in your... other bag, and sample blogTO's top rated health food stores.
Photos of Essence of Life, Karma Co-Op, and Tutti Frutti courtesy of Patrick Smith. Carrot Common photo from pcrocks in the blogTO Flickr pool.
The Big Carrot
The Big Carrot Natural Food Market is holding strong on the Danforth. Possibly because they have arguably the most comprehensive selection in the city in every single aisle. (And there are many aisles.) Deli, dairy, produce, supplements, they have it all under one clean bright roof. More »
Essence of Life
From the outside-in Essence of Life is a vintage health food store. Space is at a premium and aisles are piled high, which might explain how their prices are consistently low. The not-so-secret stop for many thrifty bulk buyers. More »
Karma Co-Op
The Platform 9 and 3/4s of grocery stores, Karma has been tucked away and successfully operating in an Annex laneway for more than 30 years. Member owned, operated, and shopped, it has a fantastic selection of goods from small and local suppliers, as well as covering all the basics (and then some). More »
Tutti Frutti
Like Essence of Life, another Kensington staple. And again, they thrive in the traditional Kensington way -- packed to the ceilings, and strong on bulk items and dry goods. More »
Qi Natural Food
Qi has two locations to serve west-end Toronto's health food needs -- one at Bloor and Christie, and one 'bulk'ing out Roncesvalles Village. More »
Wholesome Market
Down Beaches way is Wholesome Market, bringing fresh and natural goodies to Toronto's eastenders. More »
Noah's Natural Foods
One of the better known health food stores in Toronto, Noah's has locations at points Central (Yonge & Bloor), Annex (Bloor & Spadina), North (Yonge & Eglinton), and way North (Vaughn). Lots of variety, but especially strong on supplements and natural cosmetics. More »
Appletree Natural Foods
A favourite of West Queen Westers, Appletree is well-stocked on bulk items, but also covers the basics of breads, milk and eggs, soy products, laundry detergent, nanaimo bars... More »
The Sweet Potato
A glowing review by Joshua in our grocery section, and blogTO reader's choice, make it clear that the recently opened Sweet Potato is making itself right at home in the Junction. More »
Discussion
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I am sorry we didn't make a great impression on you. We just opened on June 1st and therefore, are still ironing out the glitches. If you have any suggestions, we would be happy to consider them. As for being small, it's true, we are small but we kinda like it that way. We see ourselves as the neighbourhood grocery. And the store will grow as we expand to include more products.
Best, Carrianne
I use to shop at Big Carrot and no longer do because of their poor service and higher prices.
The male owner was rude and tried to detain me even after I had offered to let him search my bag. He didn't want to search it just kept accusing me. They might want to learn some manners if they want to keep their customers. We will not shop there again and will take our business to essence of life.
anybody know any good brands to look for?
1) Bulk organic grains, beans, etc. Noah's on Bloor. They have fast turnover, proper top load bins, mostly Canadian grown, and the best prices on most stuff.
2) Cosmetics, vitamins and all the rest: check out Foods for Life at 2184 Bloor St W. Their prices are unbeatable. We call it the skinny store because the isles are so stacked and close together. Also check out the little place across the street from it, also quite good on some items.
3) Organic produce: The Sweet Potato isn't bad. But for in season stuff check out the Big Carrot. They usually have the best Kale and stuff like that for the price.
4) Tutti Frutti is also great as others have noted. I wouldn't buy bulk there though. They don't have proper bins, for starters, and it's expensive. Personally I like the people at Essence of Life, but that store is a bit gross. I've many times bought stuff that was gross and they don't like refunding money there. Also, the store smells bad, at least it did before they renovated it. Avoid their bulk section, and prices are generally higher than other place. I should add that Qi is expensive. Shop around. You can easily save 50% on items from one store to another, especially vitamins and cosmetics. Oh, Sugar and Spice in Kensington is also good for some things, like cheese or cosmetics, but their selection is limited on most things.
Best prices for supplements
great selection too
by Bernard Jensen's, please help me.
Thanks !
Vital Planet
2789 Lakeshore Blvd W (near Islington)
I am currently completing my last year at Ryerson University in Business Management. In one of the classes I am attending, our group has been assigned to develop/strategize our own "store". We came up with an organic grocery store that also offers local produce. None of us have direct links to any contacts within that business but it was something we all were interested in learning more about through research because of the growing popularity of it. As well, people are beginning to really grasp the importance of it in accordance to their health/lifestyle.
If it is possible, would there be any chance we could arrange some sort of an interview to answer a few questions we might have. It'd be greatly appreciated. Please email me at nina.ghassemi@ryerson.ca.
I noticed Nupur and yourself are graduates of University of Toronto. Two years in business must be a huge accomplishment to be proud of. Congratulations.
Thanks