North York flower farm loses $10,000 in crops to last week's storm
Sylvia Cheng's Growing Tkaroto at Downsview Urban Farm lost three growing tunnels and 200 feet of flowers. She's rebuilding with more resilient varieties.
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The severe storm that swept through the Greater Toronto Area on September 2 left behind destruction across the region, including at a North York flower farm that sources 100 per cent of its blooms locally.
Sylvia Cheng, owner of Growing Tkaroto at Downsview Urban Farm, lost 200 feet of flowers worth approximately $10,000 and three growing tunnels in the storm. The loss has forced her to source flowers from other farms to fulfill her September customer orders—a step that conflicts with her mission to supply locally grown flowers exclusively.
"My small business can't handle a loss like that," Cheng told OMNI News. "As a sustainable business, we use 100 per cent locally-grown flowers and we rely a ton on the flowers that we grow right here in Toronto."
Cheng has been growing these flowers since January. She described the destruction as heartbreaking after months of careful cultivation. But she remains determined to rebuild. "To be a farmer during a climate crisis you have to be resilient," she said. "We definitely hope to come back stronger."
She is exploring other ways to generate income while working to rebuild her operation, and plans to grow flower varieties that are more resilient to severe storms in the future. She believes locally grown flowers have unique qualities that set them apart from imported varieties, making the loss particularly significant for her customers who value that distinction.
Is crop insurance or disaster relief available to help offset Cheng's $10,000 loss?
How many farms in the GTA were damaged or destroyed in the September 2 storm?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
At a glance
What damage did Growing Tkaroto at Downsview Urban Farm suffer in the storm?
Growing Tkaroto lost 200 feet of flowers worth approximately $10,000 and three growing tunnels in the severe storm that swept through the Greater Toronto Area on September 2, 2026.
How is owner Sylvia Cheng responding to the loss?
Sylvia Cheng is exploring other income sources while rebuilding her operation and plans to grow flower varieties that are more resilient to severe storms in the future.
Why is the storm damage particularly significant for Growing Tkaroto's business?
Growing Tkaroto sources 100 per cent of its blooms locally and had to source flowers from other farms to fulfill September customer orders, which conflicts with its mission to supply only locally grown flowers.
