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...
Organics on Bloor
Of the smaller independent stores, Organics on Bloor often has one of the best selections of fresh local produce. Watch for deals on the frozen meat right before delivery day. 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...
Comments (22)
A new organic grocery store has just opened at Dundas W and Dufferin in Toronto. It's called Multiple Organics and has organic and local foods. Check them out.
I wasn't impressed with Multiple Organics. Way too small and they don't realy seem to know what they're doing.
Hi Mark,
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'm very impressed with Sweet Potato. Very clean, friendly, lots of variety and reasonably priced.
I use to shop at Big Carrot and no longer do because of their poor service and higher prices.
I am looking for a product called total bee plus, which has royal jelly, bee pollen, propolis, and honey all in one capsule. good brand name
Does anyone know the name of the health store on the corner of King West and University? Thanks
I find the staff at Tutti Frutti to be overbearing and rude. I was accused of shoplifting after I had purchased some items in the store. I was wearing a large backpack that I placed the items I had purchased into inside the store. I hardly think I would be putting stuff inside my bag inside the store if I had stolen it.
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.
Does anyone know where I can get a super energy booster called Emer'gen-C? It's a fizzling drink mix with 1,000 mg Vitamin C & it's Super Orange flavor.
You can find Emergen-C at almost any health store now. The prices vary between stores - usually between 19.99-26.99. I get mine for $19.99 at the Evergreen health shop at St.Clair/Bathurst. :)
Hi, has anyone tried Acai berry products? if so, is the berries or pure juice avail at any of the Toronto HF stores? thanks, Anne
Best health food options in TO are as follows:
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.
does anyone know where to buy probiotic supplements either called Ultra Flora Plus(Metagenics) or HMF Forte( genestra) or Smooth Food 3. It would be greatly appreciated if anyone could inform me if they know where to buy these in the toronto area.
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