Community markets

Are you a TCHC tenant or community leader looking to run a community market? Are you a business owner or local vendor who wants to sell goods and services at a community market?

Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) supports tenant-led community markets with training and resources and connects vendors to markets happening throughout our neighbourhoods!

What is a community market?

A community market is a local place where people sell goods directly to the public. These markets can be indoors or outdoors, and are set up for a short time. Farmers, artisans, and small businesses sell things like fresh food, handmade items, and locally made products. Community markets are also great places for people gather, connect, and take part in local culture.

Benefits of a community market

Toronto has more than 160 community markets across the city. These include farmers' markets and neighbourhood bazaars. Markets help bring people together, and support local businesses and entrepreneurs. Community markets are lively places where people can meet, spend time together, work, shop, and celebrate the skills and cultures in their community.

How does TCHC support community markets?

TCHC supports community markets in the following ways:

Support tenant(s) and community leaders to host a market in their neighbourhood by providing or facilitating training workshops, resources, and vendors.
Identify and recruit entrepreneurs, artisans, and businesses to connect them with a community market happening near them
Host a TCHC/tenant-led community market called O.N.E. (One Neighbourhood Enterprise) Community Market.

What is a O.N.E. (Our Neighbourhood Enterprise) Community Market?

A O.N.E. (Our Neighbourhood Enterprise) Community Market is a community market supported and operated by TCHC but ultimately led by tenants. TCHC helps build capacity for tenants to lead O.N.E. Community Markets and supports with outreach to community members, stakeholders, vendors, and partners. We also fund activities to bring out the local community, whether it be musical performances or craft workshops.