Louroz Mercader, manager of the York-Eglinton Business Improvement Area, said the area has the largest concentration of Black-owned businesses in Toronto, if not Canada, and they have struggled not only with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic but also the Eglinton Crosstown LRT construction.

“This is a way for the neighbourhood to really show that we are open again,” Mercader told media on Sunday.

The weekly outdoor farm to table market runs on Sundays from July 4 to Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the area of Green P parking lot of 1531 Eglinton Ave W.

The market features “affordable, ethical, local and organically grown food of diasporic cultural origin,” according to the BIA, which represents about 200 small businesses along Eglinton Avenue West.

Mercader said the market, which is open to the entire city, is a way to support the economy in the area. He said the area is not likely to be back to normal until 2023-2024. Many local businesses, including barber shops and hair salons, were forced to shut down during the pandemic, he added.

Paul Barnes, a vendor from a company called  Zedd MB Imports of Toronto, told o the  Caribbean camera, “I had a wonderful time; it was a great

event.” He added, “for a first time event we had a great turnout.” Barnes said that he there until October.

Talking to Paul Barnes One of the vendors at   the farmers market in Jamaica on Sunday Paul is from a company called  Zedd MB Imports of Toronto   Barnesl said  to the  Caribbean camera “I had a wonderful time it was a great event” he went on to say “for a first time event we had a great turnout” when asked if he will be there again  he said  that he will be there until October.

Lori Beazer, market manager for the Afro-Caribbean farmer’s market, said the Eglinton Crosstown LRT construction has devastated the area for the last 10 years. It has lost more than 200 businesses. The market is one way to bring it back, she said.

“It’s been a long time coming, a year worth of planning, and here we are. Our vendors are happy. It’s a thing for them, the last year, with COVID-19 and everything. For them to have this platform now, to be able to sell, it’s a bonus,” Beazer said.

Mikaela Malcolm, owner of Cheesekaekes, a Black-owned and female-led business that serves custom desserts across the GTA, says: ‘We’re super excited and grateful to be here. It not only builds the capacity of the businesses that are participating, but it provides people in the GTA with a place to shop local and Black-owned.’)

“It not only builds the capacity of the businesses that are participating, but it provides people in the GTA with a place to shop local and Black-owned. It also generates a lot of foot traffic for the surrounding businesses,” she added.

“Overall, I think it’s going to help propel Black businesses, the owners and the entire community forward,” she said.

Coun. Josh Matlow, who represents Ward 12, Toronto-St. Paul’s, said in a news release that the market is a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.

“This market will provide residents with fresh produce and delicious food that reflects our city’s Caribbean communities and African diaspora. It will also create a vibrant and animated ‘town square’ every Sunday that brings people together and contributes to the economic and cultural development

of Little Jamaica,” he said.

Matlow said the market will help to preserve and protect the Black cultural heritage of Eglinton West and to revitalize the surrounding commercial district that has been negatively impacted by LRT construction