Recently, market friend Mark S. has been sending me links to sobering articles about the global decline in insect populations. Although there are many causes, the great increase in pesticide use and the loss of small-scale family farms (which tend to have weedy bits and hedgerows instead of huge mono-cropped fields) are frequently mentioned as reversible factors in this decline.
We need organic, restorative food production, not as a ‘lifestyle choice’, but as a survival tool. We need the knowledge of farmers like the ones at our market to be respected and shared. We hope you agree that it matters to uphold organic standards, and we thank you for investing your food dollars in farms which have room for biodiversity.
Now I will climb down from my soapbox and get on with this week’s news!
Jennifer from All Sorts Acres had a surprise arrival this week: triplet lambs! Spring has to be on the way….It’s a month until the Vernal Equinox, and our First Market of Spring celebrations, and it’s beginning to seem possible that we won’t be frozen in forever. Plans are in the works for a great outdoor season, and there will be lots to tell soon.
Kind Organics’ spectacular salad greens will give you an advance taste of beautiful days ahead.
ChocoSol will be at the market again this week, alongside Culture City.
DeFloured is short-staffed this week and will be absent.
Our supply of meat is very low right now, but in March we will have visits from a couple of new producers.
Heidrun is baking Rye and Potato-Rosemary Sourdough, Baguette and Multigrain Artisan, Rosemary, Multigrain and Spiced loaves, and Rice Flour Bread.
See you at the market!
Anne Freeman
This week’s Vendors:
Ali Harris (rotis, fritters, drinks, pesto)
Bees Universe (honey, eggs, knife sharpening)
ChocoSol (chocolate and coffee)
Country Meadows (olives, oil, cheeses, eggs)
Culture City (tempeh, fermented condiments)
Dufferin Park Bakers (wood-fired oven breads, soups & snacks)
Forbes Wild Foods (mushrooms, nuts, syrup and more)
Green Florin (nuts, oils and dried fruits)
Kind Organics (sprouts and salad mixes)
Marvellous Edibles (certified organic poultry and produce)
Monforte Dairy (local cheeses from a variety of milks)
Plan B (local and imported organic produce, cider, ferments)
Spade & Spoon (preserves, syrup, soups)