Think Vertical

LAST MARKET OF 2016: DECEMBER 22ND
FIRST MARKET OF 2017: JANUARY 5TH

When the thermometer stays above two degrees or so, some of the vegetable growers prefer to stay outdoors, where they can take up as much space as they want. There are still abundant fresh foods coming in from the farms, but it will be just a little too cool for tender produce outside. Kevin from Shared Harvest has decided to stay home, and the other guys in the garage have agreed to ‘think vertical’ in setting up their displays, so they can fit everything inside. That means the good stuff will be piled high, and the banter will be lively.

Kyle from Everdale sent his weekly produce report: “This week we’ll have arugula, salad mix, specialty greens mix, red radishes, green onion, cilantro, parsley, spinach, kale, chard, leeks, onions, carrots and other roots!”

I’m so glad to see those fresh herbs and greens on the list! At this time of year, it’s wonderful to use them in abundance in salads or make pesto with any mixture you like, along with whatever nuts or seeds you have on hand, good oil, and lots of garlic, of course.

Feeling more in the mood for slow-cooking? Check the Marvellous Edibles cooler to see if Jens has soup bones to take home and make a nourishing bone broth. It turns out that this very old staple has become all the rage. It’s thrifty, and a great way to put all kinds of trimmings and odd bits of produce to good use, too, so I heartily approve!

If you’re a parent, you may have experienced the reaction of a little one who thinks you’ve been away too long howling instead of smiling upon your return. I hope this won’t be in store for Angelos when he returns to market this week after his absence while harvesting olives in Greece. He says he’s very happy to know that his customers missed him, but WE NEED OLIVES AND OIL NOW!

Unfortunately, we have to wait a little longer for All Sorts Acres to return with lamb and wool. Jennifer Osborn wrote to say that the farm move got a lot harder when her partner Tim broke his ribs and a foot of snow fell. She was just about to round up the chickens and ducks when she wrote pre-dawn. Feels pretty cushy sitting here writing this….Jennifer will be back as soon as she possibly can, and in the meantime, send good wishes her way.

Pine River Organic Farm got all that snow, too, and Bob Felhazi called to say he can’t come this time because he has to focus on salvaging what he can of row covers and the crops underneath them.  Sean Lovell of Lovell Spring Trout Farm will also return next week.

We do have a nice surprise, though: Waymac Mushrooms will be in the rinkhouse! Andrew McIlmoyle is bringing in a nice fresh crop for us.

We have a wonderful list of goodies to choose from for gifts and entertaining: Maple Butter and Chutneys from Spade & Spoon, great little packages of Wild Forest Mushrooms and Rose Petal Syrup from Forbes Wild Foods, spiced honey and honey sticks from Bees Universe, soaps, salves and seeds from Urban Harvest, organic wine from Southbrook, cheeses from Monforte and pate from Marvellous Edibles for before dinner, ChocoSol bars and sweet treats from DeFloured for after, Kind Organics Kombuchas and Culture City ferments to keep your belly happy while you eat all those treats…and more. If you shop til you drop, no worries; Ali Harris will have good things ready for your supper.

See you at the market!
Anne Freeman

P.S. Ask about our Loyal Eaters Reward Card if you haven’t got one yet!

The Vendor List:

Ali Harris
Bees Universe
Chocosol
Culture City
Country Meadows
DeFloured
Dufferin Park Bakers
Everdale
Forbes Wild Foods
Kind Organics
Marvellous Edibles
Monforte Dairy
Plan B
Spade & Spoon
Ted Thorpe
Urban Harvest
VQA Wines: Southbrook Vineyards
Waymac Farms