G is for Groceries

OneCards slap students with tragically restricting meal plans every year. It’s hard to eat well and try new things when students stick themselves to the Pitman Caf like a chewed-up piece of gum. The stir-fry station gets old within the first two weeks, and apples cost $1 each. Rise up, Ryersonians, and venture into the streets of Toronto for your choice of healthy picks, tasty treats, or plain old better deals. Don’t be fooled by the Metro right across the street from the Rogers Communication Centre (RCC); the convenience of a 24- hour grocery store is awesome, as is collecting Air Miles, but your wallet will take a beating from the weekly trips for grapes and Toaster Strudels.

Although prices are just as high at the new Loblaws at Church and Carlton (which shares a building with the Mattamy Athletic Centre), the urban marketplace showcases its variety of produce and quality goods in style. From the giant wall of cheese (it’s taller than the Ryerson Rams basketball team standing on each other’s shoulders… almost), to the cupcake counter and sushi bar, Loblaws guarantees ultimate grocery shopping awe.

If you can brave the 20-minute walk, check out the No Frills or Freshco stores on Parliament Street. The prices can’t be beat by more upscale grocery chains and will be well worth the jog. Produce is especially cheap at the Lucky Moose, a supermarket famous for its deals and English-Chinese playlist mash-ups in Chinatown. Head west, young men and women, and don’t forget to bring cash.

Finally, this best-of-the-downtown- core grocery tour wouldn’t be complete without at least window- shopping through St. Lawrence Market. The friendly, hungry mosh-pit in the buildings at Jarvis and Front Streets is a testament to the quality of fresh fruit, scones, veggies, scones, meat and scones this farmers’ market has to offer. Products are pricier here than at your average grocery store in support of the local farming community. Ryerson also plays host to a farmers’ market along Gould Street every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m until Oct. 23.