Trouble in Paradise

The market has always been open from 3 to 7 Thursday afternoons. However, for a very long time we’ve had a rule that if vendors are ready, they are allowed to sell from 2:30 on. This was agreed upon to accommodate passersby, who tell us they can’t possibly wait until 3 because they have to get to (fill in the blank) and they really need to buy (fill in this blank, too). Usually the 2:30 rule works out fine, but not when it comes to peaches!

Last week, Debbie Wiecha brought the first TINY load of her legendary peaches to market, and at 2:30, there was a lineup of eager fans. Not wanting to leave people waiting, Debbie and her helpers began selling, and by a couple of minutes past 3 the peaches were gone. As more peach fans arrived, their jaws dropped in disappointment. This didn’t feel right. We had a chat, and Debbie agreed that this time, although she will be bringing “a lovely big load of tree-ripened, juicy peaches”, she will wait until 3 to start selling them, so that people who arrive when the market officially opens will have a sporting chance. We can’t stop you from showing up at dawn to be sure you get some, but please be patient, and line up to the south if necessary.

From Shared Harvest: “We will have the following items this week: ground cherries, cherry tomatoes, callaloo, basil, sacred basil, zucchini, carrots, beets, parsley, purslane, onions, garlic, cucumbers, beans, mint and eggplants. We are also taking orders for roma tomatoes. $50 for a bushel. They should be ready at the end of August.” Kevin

And from Everdale: “I just came in from transplanting all our fall brassica crops.  So exciting!  The season is really starting to approach its apex.  Check out this super cool variety of white acorn squash we are growing this year.  It’s called “Mashed Potatoes,” and I am SO excited to taste it!

This week, Chef Jenn and I will be bringing the following to our table: baby turnips, rainbow bunched beets, red bunched beets, basil, orange carrots, rainbow carrots, rainbow chard, cilantro, field cucumbers, English cucumbers, dill, bulb fennel, black kale, green kale, red kale, kohlrabi,  head lettuce, fresh yellow onions, fresh red onions, green onions, Italian parsley, curly parsley, NEW POTATOES, red radishes, salad mix, specialty greens, spinach, and zucchini.” Wolf

Waymac will be back! Andrew and Erika have a new crop of fresh mushrooms at last!

Meanwhile, their market neighbour, Blythe, has been up to here and then some in cucumbers, so she’s pickling non-stop. Spade & Spoon has to miss this market, but next week they will have freshly-fermented cukes. Pine River will also be absent.

Take a look at the full list of who’s coming, and plan your list!
See you at the market,
Anne Freeman

Vendors this week:
Ali Harris: rotis, sandwiches, drinks
All Sorts Acres: lamb, sheep dairy, wool
Bees Universe: honey, bee products, eggs
ChocoSol: chocolate and chocolate beverages, coffee
Country Meadows: olives, oil, eggs, cheese
Culture City: fermented condiments and preserves, tempeh
DeFloured: savoury and sweet gluten-free baking
Dufferin Park Bakers: wood-fired oven breads, salads, snacks
Earth & City: salads, snacks and beverages
Everdale Farm: fresh organic produce
Forbes Wild Foods: wild mushrooms, maple syrup & more
Fressy Bessie: organic unsweetened ice pops
GreenFlorin: Moldovan nuts, oils, and dried fruits
Kind Organics: sprouts, salad mixes, teas, microgreens
Knuckle Down Farm: fresh organic produce
Marvellous Edibles: pastured meats, organic veg. & more
Monforte Dairy: cheeses from many milks
Niagara Lavender Farm: tender fruits, berries, lavender
Plan B: local and imported organic produce
Reimer Vineyards: local, organic VQA wine
Robinson Bread: fresh-baked sourdough breads and pastries
Shared Harvest Community Farm: fresh organic produce
Sosnicki Organic Produce: certified organic veggies
Stas Variety: fries and grilled pastured meats
Tapioca Toronto: Brazilian style gluten-free crepes with market fillings
TC’s Tibetan Momos: vegetarian and meat-filled dumplings
Ted Thorpe: veggies
Urban Harvest: body care, seeds, soil amendments
Waymac : fresh mushrooms