Come in where it’s Cozy, there’s lots to choose from!

It’s great to hear the reactions of people when they discover the market. Here are first impressions from Jack Harding, a chef and new market fan: “I went on Thursday last week, and was so overwhelmed (in the best way possible). So many farmers, fresh veggies, great ingredients, meats, mushrooms, chocolates, breads, and anything else you could crave. I put together a collection of roasted root vegetables that are all in season, paired with the beautiful cheeses I bought and fresh bread….It included roasted sun chokes, leeks, red onions, sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and they were so flavourful!” Exactly, Jack, and welcome!

Here’s this week’s list of delicious produce from Wolf Chrapko of Everdale Farm: “Arugula, jerusalem artichokes, red beets, chioggia beets, gold beets, white beets, orange carrots, purple carrots, paris atlas carrots, celeriac, green kale, purple kale, red storage onion, yellow storage onion, shallots, parsnips, parsley root, red radish, watermelon radish, rutabaga, salad mix, spinach, turnips, black futsu winter squash, butternut winter squash, musque de provence fairytale pumpkins. Yee haw!”

Another impressive list: All Sorts Acre will have lovely handcrafts, natural colours of yarn, needle felting kits, dryer balls, a very limited number of beautiful soft sheepskins, lamb, sheep’s milk, and Shepherd’s Pies.

Apologies to those who were disappointed not to find Angelos back last week as we expected. Blame the airline! His flight was delayed and he couldn’t get ready in time to make it. Better luck this time–we certainly hope! Country Meadows will have lots to stock up on, including cheeses, olives, oil, eggs and more.

Marvellous Edibles is getting ready for the festive season with stollen, charcuterie, and other special products in addition to their usual array of meats, vegetables, and preserves.

Shared Harvest, Pine River, and Bees Universe will be absent this week, which means we have just enough room to fit everyone else inside. Whew! Sometimes things work out.

Don’t forget to bring your Loyal Eaters Card and participate in our weekly mini-draw.

Another reminder: we’ll have a lovely solstice market on the 21st, but we will NOT be open on December 28th.

See you at the market!
Anne Freeman

This week’s vendors:
Ali Harris: rotis, fish sandwiches, fritters, drinks
All Sorts Acre: sheep’s milk, yarn, lamb
Chocosol: chocolate, coffee, drinks
Country Meadows: olives, oil, cheeses, eggs
Culture City: fermented foods, condiments
DeFloured: gluten-free baking
Dufferin Park Bakers: wood-fired oven breads, salads, snacks
Everdale: fresh organic produce
Forbes Wild Foods: nuts, mushrooms & other wild foods
Kind Organics: sprouts, salad mixes, teas
Marvellous Edibles: pastured poultry, meats, organic vegetables
Monforte Dairy: cheeses of many kinds
Spade & Spoon: pickles, jams, maple syrup, soup
Ted Thorpe: fresh produce
Urban Harvest: body care, seeds

P.S. Looking for winter pursuits? Here’s a novel idea (sorry, couldn’t resist):

Environmental Book Club
Date: Friday January 26, 2:30-4:30pm
Location: The Tollkeeper’s Cottage, 750 Davenport Rd (NW corner Davenport Rd and Bathurst St)
RSVP: Please email greenneighbours@gn21.ca for a pdf of the reading material.
January readings focus on farmer, poet and cultural critic Wendell Berry.
Admission: Free. Everyone welcome.