Kateryna Topol –
One of several new vendors welcomed this year to the St. Lawrence Market is Maison Fresh Market, family-owned and operated by Tamas, Sandra and Sasha Dombi, which brings a mix of organic and specialty greens and vegetables to the market.
Tamas Dombi immigrated to Canada from Hungary at a young age and lived on The Esplanade with his family. St. Lawrence Market exposed young Tamas to a variety of foods he had not seen before.
“I felt like a kid in a candy store,” he admitted. “For me, St. Lawrence Market has always been a romantic place.”
After working for years in real estate, he wanted a quieter, more peaceful lifestyle outside the city, but didn’t make the move until a health scare led to the Dombi family farm.
Kind Organics, located near Sheldon northwest of Toronto, is a certified organic farm. For twelve years, the Dombis were regular vendors at St. Lawrence Market North, leading them to jump on the retail opportunity in the main building this summer.
The new Maison Fresh store, near St. Lawrence Pizza & Pasta, has a pleasantly attractive appeal. Modular shelves beautifully display fresh produce with occasionally cheeky hand-written commentary. In addition to the expected kitchen staples like cucumbers and potatoes are colourful veggies like strawberry corn and purple yams.
At the back of the shop are two shelves of hydro sprouts, microgreens and salads grown on the Kind Organics farm. The rest of the produce is sourced by Sandra from local farms and the Ontario Food Terminal.
If the greens have been to one farmers’ market, they will not be resold. Much of the unsold produce is donated to a local foodbank.
Customers will also find locally produced packaged goods, beverages, prepared meals and creamy vegan soups made by Sandra.
All three of the Dombi family members are partners in the business.
“We love supporting local farmers,” Tamas added. “We’ve been at many farmers’ markets over the years and know a lot of people.
