Where to Buy Groceries in Toronto for Under $1: A Budget Smart Guide For Immigrants.
- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
Here are some great options in Toronto where you can find groceries under $1—especially produce, pantry items, and surplus goods—from local markets to discount outlets:
1. Chinatown & Asian Grocery Stores
What you’ll find: Bagged produce (bok choy, carrots, broccoli, Napa cabbage) under $2 or even per pound under $1 when on clearance—sometimes $0.44 for a large carrot or $1 Chinese broccoli per pound.
How to shop: Visit supermarkets around Spadina/Bloor (e.g., Kai Wei, Lucky Moose) for tofu blocks often $0.99
Tip: Watch for marked-down items nearing peak ripeness—great for same-day use.
2. Independent Fruit & Veg Markets
Examples: Kensington Fruit Market, Roncy Fruit Market, St. Lawrence Market vendors
Why they’re cheap: They purchase overstock or "seconds" at the Ontario Food Terminal and pass savings to shoppers
Prices: Produce clearance often under $1/lb (e.g., berries, pears, peppers).
3. Flashfood App Deals
What it is: App by Loblaws/No Frills/Superstore listing surplus or short-dated groceries
Prices: Items like bakery goods or produce at 50–70% off—many go for $1–$3
4. Bulk Barn
Offerings: Spices, grains, candies, baking staples by weight
Prices: Many bulk bins offer items under $1 per 100 g — e.g., grains, spices, seeds
Tip: Great for small quantities without spending much upfront.
5. Discount Grocery & Dollar Stores
Dollarama: Carries pantry staples like salt, spices, snacks under $1–$2
Budget Basket / Grocery Outlet: Overstock and surplus grocery stores offering deeply discounted items—look for single items under $1 or near-expiry bargains
Quick Comparison Table
Store Type Items Under $1 Contact/Location Tips
Asian Grocery Stores Bok choy, carrots, tofu, produce Search Chinatown/Spadina; no formal contacts
Independent Fruit Markets Seasonal produce from Ontario Terminal Kensington, Roncy, St. Lawrence Market
Flashfood App Bakery, produce, prepared food Download Flashfood; available in Greater Toronto area
Bulk Barn Grains, spices, candies (by 100 g) Toronto locations; see website for nearest store
Dollarama Pantry basics, snacks 1,500+ stores—just look in grocery aisles
Grocery Outlet / Budget Basket Overstock items, possible < $1 deals Locations across Ontario; check store flyers/websites
Money-Saving Tips for Immigrants
Combine apps & local markets: Use Flashfood or Flipp to scout bargains, then shop at Asian grocers or independent markets.
Buy in bulk on budget: Use Bulk Barn to portion out small amounts while sticking to under $1–$2 per item.
Visit overstock outlets: Frequent Grocery Outlet or Budget Basket for surprise markdowns.
Shop smart timing: Look for same-day or near-expiry produce—use it fast!
Citations:Kensingtonmarket.todirectcoops.caonthegrid.caflashfood.caYelp.catogetherproject.cayellowpages.catorontocaribbean.ca
Here are some other Toronto-area wholesale suppliers offering groceries—including produce, ethnic, and bulk items—along with contacts and price insights to help you save smart as an immigrant shopper or business owner:
1. DiLiso’s Fresh 2U Produce
What they offer: Wholesale fruits & veggies for grocery stores and food service across Toronto GTA
Contact:
647‑347‑6111
(via website contact form)
Pricing: Competitive bulk pricing sourced directly from Ontario Food Terminal; seasonal produce, organic options. (Exact pricing on inquiry)
2. A1 Cash & Carry (Etobicoke location)
What they offer: Grocery, fresh produce, meat, dairy, frozen items; restaurant supplies
Contact:
(416) 503‑2277
225 Evans Ave, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1J5
App available for delivery & online deals (e.g., 5% off when buying in bulk)
Pricing: Example: Cavendish French fries 4.5 lb ~$7.29 single, case price $36.29 (bulk discount)
3. TurkishMart / Pristine Fine Foods
What they offer: Turkish & Italian gourmet groceries at wholesale rates
Contact:
416‑259‑3737
339 Evans Ave, Etobicoke, ON M8Y 1Z2
Pricing: Examples: Vincotto pomegranate glaze (250 ml) $12.99; grape molasses (400 g) $7.59; dried porcini mushrooms (454 g) $54.49
4. ItalianMart (Pristine Fine Foods)
What they offer: Imports pasta, oils, sauces, olives, beans, ceramics; 50+ years in wholesale
Contact: Same as TurkishMart (shared venue)
5. CJR Wholesale
What they offer: Ontario-leading grocery & dairy distributor serving independent retailers
Contact: Available via website “Contact Us” form (for pricing & product catalogs)
6. BulkMart
What they offer: Low-price bulk foodservice items, pallets & wholesale pricing
Contact: Via their website; offers free delivery (minimum dependent on postal code)
How to Use These Suppliers
Supplier Products Ideal For
DiLiso’s Fresh produce Groceries, bulk veggies & fruitsA1 Cash & Carry General groceries & frozen goods Restaurants, bulk household needsTurkishMart Ethnic groceries (Turkish/Italian) Ethnic items, small-batch deliveriesItalianMart Italian specialty items Imported Italian pantry goodsCJR Wholesale Grocery & dairy Independent retailersBulkMart Bulk packaged goods Cost-efficient bulk pantry shopping
Next Steps
1. Reach out via phone or email—mention that you're seeking wholesale rates.
2. Request a product list and price sheet—some only provide pricing after inquiry.
3. Inquire about minimum order quantities & delivery options.
4. Compare sample prices, then choose the supplier that best fits your budget and need.
Weekly Tracker for Deals Under Where to look and how to track bargains: Day Where to Check What to Look For Action Tip
Monday Flashfood app Buns, dairy, produce under $1 Set Daily AlertsTuesday Chinatown grocery stores Clearance veggies/tofu ~ $0.99 Go early to grab dealsWednesday Kensington Fruit Market Ontario Terminal seconds < $1/lb Buy for same-day useThursday Bulk Barn (small-quantity bins) Spices/grains by 100 g under $1 Weigh small amountsFriday Flashfood reload New listings of surplus items Pick-up same dayWeekend Chinatown & Kensington return visits Weekend clearance restocks Combine trips for efficiency
Sources:Kensington-fruit-market.wheree.combudgetbasket.ca foodrivalryChensecCitynewsMilesopediacq24buysavvie
Here are some great options in Toronto where you can find groceries under $1—especially produce, pantry items, and surplus goods—from local markets to discount outlets:
1. Chinatown & Asian Grocery StoresWhat you’ll find: Bagged produce (bok choy, carrots, broccoli, Napa cabbage) under $2 or even per pound under $1 when on clearance—sometimes $0.44 for a large carrot or $1 Chinese broccoli per pound.
How to shop: Visit supermarkets around Spadina/Bloor (e.g., Kai Wei, Lucky Moose) for tofu blocks often $0.99
Tip: Watch for marked-down items nearing peak ripeness—great for same-day use.
2. Independent Fruit & Veg MarketsExamples: Kensington Fruit Market, Roncy Fruit Market, St. Lawrence Market vendors
Why they’re cheap: They purchase overstock or "seconds" at the Ontario Food Terminal and pass savings to shoppers
Prices: Produce clearance often under $1/lb (e.g., berries, pears, peppers).
3. Flashfood App DealsWhat it is: App by Loblaws/No Frills/Superstore listing surplus or short-dated groceries
Prices: Items like bakery goods or produce at 50–70% off—many go for $1–$3
4. Bulk BarnOfferings: Spices, grains, candies, baking staples by weight
Prices: Many bulk bins offer items under $1 per 100 g — e.g., grains, spices, seeds
Tip: Great for small quantities without spending much upfront.
5. Discount Grocery & Dollar StoresDollarama: Carries pantry staples like salt, spices, snacks under $1–$2
Budget Basket / Grocery Outlet: Overstock and surplus grocery stores offering deeply discounted items—look for single items under $1 or near-expiry bargains
Quick Comparison TableStore Type Items Under $1 Contact/Location Tips
Asian Grocery Stores Bok choy, carrots, tofu, produce Search Chinatown/Spadina; no formal contacts
Independent Fruit Markets Seasonal produce from Ontario Terminal Kensington, Roncy, St. Lawrence Market
Flashfood App Bakery, produce, prepared food Download Flashfood; available in Greater Toronto area
Bulk Barn Grains, spices, candies (by 100 g) Toronto locations; see website for nearest store
Dollarama Pantry basics, snacks 1,500+ stores—just look in grocery aisles
Grocery Outlet / Budget Basket Overstock items, possible < $1 deals Locations across Ontario; check store flyers/websites
Money-Saving Tips for ImmigrantsCombine apps & local markets: Use Flashfood or Flipp to scout bargains, then shop at Asian grocers or independent markets.
Buy in bulk on budget: Use Bulk Barn to portion out small amounts while sticking to under $1–$2 per item.
Visit overstock outlets: Frequent Grocery Outlet or Budget Basket for surprise markdowns.
Shop smart timing: Look for same-day or near-expiry produce—use it fast!
Citations:
Kensingtonmarket.to
directcoops.ca
onthegrid.ca
flashfood.ca
Yelp.ca
togetherproject.ca
yellowpages.ca
torontocaribbean.ca
Here are some other Toronto-area wholesale suppliers offering groceries—including produce, ethnic, and bulk items—along with contacts and price insights to help you save smart as an immigrant shopper or business owner:
1. DiLiso’s Fresh 2U Produce
647‑347‑6111
(via website contact form)
2. A1 Cash & Carry (Etobicoke location)
(416) 503‑2277
225 Evans Ave, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1J5
App available for delivery & online deals (e.g., 5% off when buying in bulk)
3. TurkishMart / Pristine Fine Foods
416‑259‑3737
339 Evans Ave, Etobicoke, ON M8Y 1Z2
4. ItalianMart (Pristine Fine Foods)
5. CJR Wholesale
6. BulkMart
How to Use These Suppliers
Next Steps
Weekly Tracker for Deals Under
1. DiLiso’s Fresh 2U ProduceWhat they offer: Wholesale fruits & veggies for grocery stores and food service across Toronto GTA
Contact:
647‑347‑6111 (via website contact form)Pricing: Competitive bulk pricing sourced directly from Ontario Food Terminal; seasonal produce, organic options. (Exact pricing on inquiry)
2. A1 Cash & Carry (Etobicoke location)What they offer: Grocery, fresh produce, meat, dairy, frozen items; restaurant supplies
Contact:
(416) 503‑2277 225 Evans Ave, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1J5 App available for delivery & online deals (e.g., 5% off when buying in bulk) Pricing: Example: Cavendish French fries 4.5 lb ~$7.29 single, case price $36.29 (bulk discount)
3. TurkishMart / Pristine Fine FoodsWhat they offer: Turkish & Italian gourmet groceries at wholesale rates
Contact:
416‑259‑3737 339 Evans Ave, Etobicoke, ON M8Y 1Z2Pricing: Examples: Vincotto pomegranate glaze (250 ml) $12.99; grape molasses (400 g) $7.59; dried porcini mushrooms (454 g) $54.49
4. ItalianMart (Pristine Fine Foods)What they offer: Imports pasta, oils, sauces, olives, beans, ceramics; 50+ years in wholesale
Contact: Same as TurkishMart (shared venue)
5. CJR WholesaleWhat they offer: Ontario-leading grocery & dairy distributor serving independent retailers
Contact: Available via website “Contact Us” form (for pricing & product catalogs)
6. BulkMartWhat they offer: Low-price bulk foodservice items, pallets & wholesale pricing
Contact: Via their website; offers free delivery (minimum dependent on postal code)
How to Use These SuppliersSupplier Products Ideal For
DiLiso’s Fresh produce Groceries, bulk veggies & fruits
A1 Cash & Carry General groceries & frozen goods Restaurants, bulk household needs
TurkishMart Ethnic groceries (Turkish/Italian) Ethnic items, small-batch deliveries
ItalianMart Italian specialty items Imported Italian pantry goods
CJR Wholesale Grocery & dairy Independent retailers
BulkMart Bulk packaged goods Cost-efficient bulk pantry shopping
Next Steps1. Reach out via phone or email—mention that you're seeking wholesale rates.
2. Request a product list and price sheet—some only provide pricing after inquiry.
3. Inquire about minimum order quantities & delivery options.
4. Compare sample prices, then choose the supplier that best fits your budget and need.
Weekly Tracker for Deals Under Where to look and how to track bargains:
Day Where to Check What to Look For Action Tip
Monday Flashfood app Buns, dairy, produce under $1 Set Daily Alerts
Tuesday Chinatown grocery stores Clearance veggies/tofu ~ $0.99 Go early to grab deals
Wednesday Kensington Fruit Market Ontario Terminal seconds < $1/lb Buy for same-day use
Thursday Bulk Barn (small-quantity bins) Spices/grains by 100 g under $1 Weigh small amounts
Friday Flashfood reload New listings of surplus items Pick-up same day
Weekend Chinatown & Kensington return visits Weekend clearance restocks Combine trips for efficiency
Sources:
Kensington-fruit-market.wheree.com
budgetbasket.ca
foodrivalry
Chensec
Citynews
Milesopedia
cq24
buysavvie
 |
- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
Comments
Post a Comment