Toronto Local Grocers

Toronto's grocery aisles look varied, but a lot of that variety is an illusion. Loblaw Companies alone operates 22 grocery banners across Canada, including familiar names like No Frills, Zehrs, and Real Canadian Superstore, so two different-looking stores a few blocks apart are often owned by the same company.

Independent grocers are the real alternative, and Toronto has plenty: organic and bulk shops, international grocers stocked for a specific neighbourhood, and co-ops built around community rather than a head office. The city's best-known food landmark is St. Lawrence Market, named the best food market in the world by National Geographic in 2012, with vendors going back to 1803.

Below are 10 independent grocers in downtown Toronto worth knowing, a starting point if you're looking to shop outside the big chains.