Carload Food Market — Local services in Toronto

Twice per week I travel to Carload produce market ner Bloor and Windermere from a lengthy distance. While their produce is among the best, I myself have been very rudely treated by one of their male produce clerks, looking to be in his 20's or 30's. I very easily know Ontario nectarines from California nectarines. I go for one things only, Ontario produce, and no thanks to anything else. Moreover, their Ont grown produce is always designated as "Ontario." I asked their produce clerk, "do you have Ontario nectarines?" He lied to me by claiming the ones from California were "Ontario" which they were not. When I further asked him "where are your Ontario nectarines?" With a very cold and rude tone he snapped, "I TOLD YOU." I ended up buying yellow Ontario plums, yellow Ontario string beans, and 4 Ontario corn on the cob. The one customer ahead of me in the lineup was given a very affirmative and well pronounced "thank you" bya cashier. Meanwhile, after paying for my items, I said "thank you." I vow that this cashier did not return the appreciative gesture of "thank you" back to me. I travel a long distance twice per week to give them plenty of business during the summer, and they know it. I have Type 1 Diabetes and they also know this. I have low blood sugars on my way there and more low blood sugars on my way back home, of which I've told them of. And despite this, I'm treated with coldness and seeminglly with spite and contempt. How would they like this if the shoe was on the other foot? For these reason, I only give them a 2 star rating, despite their...

Carload Food Market routinely makes various lists of Toronto’s top fruit and veggie markets. The recognition is much deserved. They are our go-to for all things berry; their blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and, yes, even their strawberries are always better than any we can find elsewhere. And always for a fair price, both relative to other markets (and even large chain grocery stores) and for the quality.

In addition, they almost always have excellent mangoes (their Altufo Mangoes are a particular favourite for us), as well as beautiful cored pineapple, great avocados, and a range of oranges from around the world (when in season) that never fail to please.

Their vegetables are equally high quality. When in season no one we’ve found can match the quality of their asparagus, green beans, bean sprouts and tomatoes. Like their fruits the prices are not only competitive - they are often lower than the major grocery chains.

Finally, there are other treats to be had beyond the traditional fruits and veggies. They have an excellent selection of Kawartha Dairy ice cream, boxes of outstanding cookies from The Pie Place (also excellent value for money), and some very good hard cheese choices. During the spring and summer months they also have a solid selection of good quality plants to choose from.

This place is hopping all the time for a reason. Highly...

I've been going to Carload for years. Today after purchasing fruits like I usually do, one of their staff decided that racially profiling me was the way to go. Like I always do, I purchased my groceries and left them in the clear plastic bags they provide with the receipt visible. I do this when shopping at Asian grocers because I am acutely aware of perception and the way East Asian grocers profile Black and brown patrons.

As I was exiting, one of their staff decided to in a very hostile manner demand "Did you pay for those?! Let me see your receipt!" I said no. Returned to the register to let them know what happened and asked for my money back. The cashier then proceed to give me cash for my debit purchase because they don't have the ability to process electronic refunds.

It is quite disheartening that in a city as racially diverse as Toronto, racial profiling by East Asian grocers behave the way the do and get away with it.

There are other grocer options that I will be taking my business to but wanted to let others know that this could be their experience with the folks at Carload Food Market.

There are a ton of other fruit markets along Bloor that I will attend after years of diligently purchasing...