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The global food system was built on cheap oil. This means crops can be grown on giant monoculture farms, sprayed with petrochemical-based fertilizers and pesticides, picked with gas-fuelled combines and shipped to every corner of the globe in refrigerated containers.

Unfortunately, this system is grossly inefficient, an environmental disaster and takes advantage of cheap labour. It also creates bizarre situations where you go to the supermarket during the height of the Ontario strawberry season, only to find California strawberries for sale and no local berries in sight.

Well the days of cheap oil are over. The current food system will have to become more sustainable, with a strong emphasis on growing and producing food locally. In the not-so-distant future, importing asparagus from Peru in January, or any other month for that matter, will no longer be economically feasible. But this is a good thing: asparagus will regain its status as a spring vegetable.

With the number of farmers markets popping up all over the city, eating food without frequent flier miles is getting a lot easier. Not only do farm-fresh fruits and vegetables taste better, they keep much longer in the fridge, meaning less waste.

But the best part about shopping at farmers markets is meeting the people who made your cheese, raised your chicken or pulled your beets from the ground that morning. Putting a face to your food makes it taste that much better.

To help you to eat local, here is a list of seven farmers markets, one for each day of the week. For information on other fabulous markets in Toronto and the rest of Ontario, visit www.farmersmarketsontario.com.

MONDAYS

SORAUREN FARMERS MARKET

Where: Sorauren Park, at Sorauren and Wabash avenues

When: 3 to 7 p.m., until Oct. 27

Web: www.westendfood.coop

 

TUESDAYS

RIVERDALE FARM FARMERS MARKET

Where: Riverdale Park West, at Winchester and Sumach streets

When: 3 to 7 p.m., until Oct. 28

Web: www.friendsofriverdalefarm.com

 

WEDNESDAYS

ANNEX FARMERS MARKET

Where: Green P Parking Lot, Lippincott just south of Bloor St.

When: 3 to 7 p.m., until Oct. 29

 

THURSDAYS

DUFFERIN GROVE FARMERS MARKET

Where: Dufferin Grove Park, 875 Dufferin St. (south of Bloor St.)

When: 3 to 7 p.m., year round

Web: www.dufferinpark.ca

 

FRIDAYS

BIRCHCLIFF VILLAGE FARMERS MARKET

Where: St. Nicholas Church, 1512 Kingston Rd. (east of Warden Ave.)

When: 2 to 7 p.m., June 13 to Oct. 10

Web: www.marketsbythebluffs.com

 

SATURDAYS

NORTH ST. LAWRENCE MARKET

Where: 92 Front St. E. (at Jarvis St.)

When: 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., year round

Web: www.stlawrencemarket.com

 

SUNDAYS

LIBERTY VILLAGE FARMERS MARKET

Where: 82 Hanna Ave. (at East Liberty St.)

When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., until Nov. 2