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| - I admit I'm an unrepentant hippie who gets most of my produce at farmers' markets and has panic attacks when forced to patronise the local Price Chopper. But Toronto has winter, and even the most committed locavore needs vitamin C (not to mention shampoo.) So I was delighted to find The Sweet Potato on a stretch of Dundas dominated by pawn shops and storefront churches until the neighbourhood had the good sense to lift the liquor prohibition imposed in 1904.
The Sweet Potato is a small grocery store, not a health food store. This is part of what makes it so successful, as many health food stores are so packed with vitamins, smoothie mixes, and remedies of dubious effectiveness that they have no room for actual food. Not so with The Sweet Potato. There is an excellent selection of produce, dairy, cereal, grains, legumes, and baking products as well as small sections of personal care products, meat, and prepared food. I'm especially happy that I can get sheep's yogurt and milk here, as only a handful of places carry them.
The prices here are very reasonable for organic and natural food. The house-roasted coffee is excellent, and comes in a variety of blends. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the hours are convenient. There have been a few times that they've been out of something I'm looking for, which isn't unusual when dealing with smaller suppliers. On the other hand, they usually have at least a few things on sale (Nature's Path Cereal for $1.99 and sheep's milk for $3.69 last time I was there). The surrounding neighbourhood is a haven of independent businesses selling natural and local food as well as the work of local artisans. No more Price Chopper at the Galleria Mall for me - I'm hopping on my bike for the 5
minute ride to The Sweet Potato.
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