Man holding a gardening tool standing next to a woman selecting fresh produce with illustrated text about urban food agriculture programs in the background.

Urban Agriculture and Food Programs

For Ages 10–25

Food growing, sharing, and learning – for and with the community Food insecurity is rising across Malvern and Scarborough.
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At MFRC, we believe food is a right, not a privilege. Our approach to food justice weaves together growing fresh and culturally relevant food, supporting local food systems, and making food a core part of our community programs.
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Through our farm, market, food education, and 100% food integration model, we work to ensure every person, no matter their age or background, has access to the food they need to thrive.

Summer Camp Registration Now Open!

Senior woman wearing sunglasses and a red cap sitting on a chair in a lush garden with various plants and vegetables.

A three-acre farm rooted in culture, community, and food justice

Malvern Urban Farm is located on three acres of land in the Finch hydro corridor and is home to 25 community farming groups who grow fresh, culturally relevant produce. It launched in 2021 after years of community advocacy and is part of the City of Toronto’s CEED (Community Engagement and Entrepreneurial Development) garden program.

Farmers grow diverse crops using sustainable methods, often reflecting cultural food traditions. MFRC supports with crop planning, organic pest management, and access to a weekly community market.

Since opening, the farm has:
- Produced over 120,000 lbs of food
- Created numerous sustainable community farming businesses
- Connected residents to culturally appropriate food while building livelihoods

In 2025, thanks to support from the City of Toronto, Hydro One, Infrastructure Ontario, and the Northpine Foundation, the farm is expanding. The expansion will double growing capacity, producing up to 80,000 lbs of food a year. This is the equivalent of 80,000 to 100,000 meals and will allow more residents to grow crops that reflect their cultures and food traditions. The expansion uses public land to increase food security and community resilience.

Download Flyer

Contact

Claire Perttula
Urban Agriculture and Food Program Manager
cperttula@mfrc.org

416-284-4184 ext 221

View Programs & Register

Email Us

Meet the Farmers

Locations

Malvern Urban Farm 2775 Morningside Ave Scarborough, Ontario, M1X 1Y2

Farmer's Market 90 Littles Rd Scarborough, Ontario, M1B 5E2

Malvern Urban Farm FAQs

1. I love farming! I want to get a plot at the farm.
‍Applications and farmer selections happen over the winter each year. Please fill out the interest form and we will notify you when the application is open again in November. Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee you will be selected for a plot.

2. How can I volunteer at Malvern Urban Farm?
‍We have regular volunteering opportunities at the Farm on Tuesday mornings from 9:30-12pm. Please email malvernurbanfarm@mfrc.org for more information. We will also share other opportunities as they come up.

Two women standing behind a lemonade stand with signs advertising fresh squeezed lemonade, flavor of the week, and a chance to win free lemonade.

Fresh, local food at the heart of the neighbourhood Every Wednesday evening from June to October, MFRC hosts the Malvern Urban Farm Farmers Market, a weekly space for connection, culture, and community-grown food.

The market features:
-Produce grown at Malvern Urban Farm by local farmers
-Hot meals from community restaurants and caterers
-Family-friendly activities and information tables
-Seasonal events and neighbourhood updates
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The market is more than a place to shop. It is where stories are shared, flavours are celebrated, and residents reconnect with the land and each other.

Download Flyer

Contact

Clarie Perttula
Urban Agriculture and Food Program Manager
cperttula@mfrc.org

416-284-4184 ext 221

View Programs & Register

Email Us

Meet the Farmers

Locations

Malvern Urban Farm 2775 Morningside Ave Scarborough, Ontario, M1X 1Y2

Farmer's Market 90 Littles Rd Scarborough, Ontario, M1B 5E2

Farmer's Market FAQs

1. When is the market?
‍Wednesdays from June 10-October 14, 4-7pm, 90 Littles Road. Rain or shine. Anyone is welcome to come and shop at the market, no registration required. Check out our Instagram for more details on upcoming events.

2. I want to be a vendor. How do I do that?
‍Send an email to malvernurbanfarm@mfrc.org We will send you the application form. This does not guarantee you a spot at the market. We try to accept a variety of vendors and may not accept more vendors if we already have several of a similar type (ex candles, bakers)

3. I’ve heard of market bucks. How do they work?
These are tokens that are used as currency at our farmers’ market. There are three ways to access market bucks:
a. Purchase Market bucks Buy some! The farmers only accept cash and market bucks. If you don’t have cash with you one day, you can purchase market bucks from the MFRC table using debit or credit and then shop with the farmers as normal. Please note that purchased market bucks are ONLY to be used with the farmers and not vendors.
b. Register at the Farmers’ Market You can fill out a self-identification form at the market to be considered for the Market Bucks program. Registration does not guarantee regular access to the market buck, as demand is high. You will be contacted by email if Market Bucks become available to you.
c. Pre-Register Through MFRC Programs Some participants are referred and registered through MFRC program providers. This registration is by invitation only. To qualify, individuals or families must have expressed financial need and identified as having experienced food insecurity within the last 6 months.

4. Market Bucks are accepted by farmers only. You are also welcome to bring extra cash to shop with at the market, and to buy from other vendors (baked goods, candles, beaded items, hot sauce, beverages, and more!).

5. Can I volunteer at the market? Yes! We love having volunteers to help with activities and setting up/taking down the market every week. Please email malvernurbanfarm@mfrc.org if you are interested.

Person wearing a red cap and blue jacket watering a lush garden with rows of leafy plants and vegetables near suburban houses.

Training new growers. Expanding community farming across Scarborough.

The Scarborough Urban Farm Lab is MFRC’s newest initiative to build capacity for urban agriculture across the city’s east end. Based at Malvern Urban Farm, the Lab provides mentorship and hands-on training to residents and local organizations interested in starting their own farms.
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The Farm Lab will:
-Launch new community farms in neighbourhoods like Morningside, West Hill, and Scarborough Village
-Grow 50,000 lbs of food annually
-Strengthen local food systems and resident leadership

Through this initiative, we support the next generation of community growers and ensure that more Scarborough families have access to food that is local, fresh, and culturally familiar.
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Download Flyer

Contact

Clarie Perttula
Urban Agriculture and Food Program Manager
cperttula@mfrc.org

416-284-4184 ext 221

View Programs & Register

Farming the Hydro Corridor

Email Us

Meet the Farmers

Locations

Malvern Urban Farm 2775 Morningside Ave Scarborough, Ontario, M1X 1Y2

Farmer's Market 90 Littles Rd Scarborough, Ontario, M1B 5E2

Community Garden and Pantry FAQs

1. I want a plot at Littles or Neilson community garden. How do I get one?
‍Both gardens are resident-led. Please leave your name and contact information and the garden leads will get in touch with you.

2. I’m looking for your food bank/I need food support. We don’t operate a food bank at this time. Our community fridge and pantry are open 24/7 and you are always welcome to check them and take what you need. They are stocked by donation so we can’t guarantee what is in there or how much food there is. The community fridge and pantry are located on the side of the 90 Littles Road building along Sewells Road.

3. I want to donate food to the community. How do I do that? You’re always welcome to leave donations in the community fridge and pantry! You are welcome to do so at any time. Please ensure that any packaged goods are sealed and that nothing is expired. It is ideal if items are also labeled with ingredients.

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