What Goes Around, Comes Around

Hello Market Friends:
We have a beautiful mix of newbies, old-timers, and everyone in between on our vendor list this year.

Here’s a nostalgic note from Glynis of Aldergrove Organic Farm, who joined us a few months ago: “I was out harvesting these red strawflowers this morning when I had a memory from about twelve years ago, when I was an employee working at Dufferin Grove Park. Shane Eby was at the farmers’ market with his buckets spread out over the lawn, and I saw these very same flowers and couldn’t resist. Unaccustomed to buying flowers, I picked just a few and tentatively showed them to Shane, bracing myself for what we now call “sticker shock.” He smiled and shrugged at me and said, “Three fifty?”

About five or six years later I volunteered for the Guelph Organic Conference, and my duty included doing the audio-visual for Shane during his workshop on growing cut flowers. I walked out of there that day determined to become a flower farmer, but I truly am shocked and stunned to find that not only have I done it, but I am Shane’s successor at the Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market after he moved on to other adventures. I still carry that memory of the joy I felt from fresh-from-the-field cut flowers, and I’m so thrilled to be able to share with you the joy I still get from these blooms.

Thank you so much for your warm welcome (or welcome back) Dufferin Grove!”

News from others on our All-Star team:

The Sosnicki Organic Produce report: “First harvest new Potatoes are coming to Dufferin! Also coming, our field Sun Sugar and Sweet Red Grape tomatoes along with the Heirloom tomatoes!! Cucumbers: slicers, blonde cucs, and our fav, ‘Eureka!’ Beans, Zucchinis, and Kale round out the table. Oh – and lots of fresh Garlic, Basil and Herbs too!”

Shared Harvest’s fabulous list: “fennel, savoy cabbage, celery, kale, swiss chard, round cucumbers, slicing cucumbers, calaloo, carrots, beets, french fillet beans, green beans, purslane, basil, curly parsley, flat leaf Italian parsley, garlic, dill, peppers, and eggplants.”

Niagara Lavender has their first small load of peaches, taste-tested by the tiniest harvester!

Reye’s Farms is bringing their first nectarines and some wild blueberries, and will have peaches next time.

Heidrun‘s Dufferin Park Bakers Bread List:
Sourdoughs: Caraway, Potato-Rosemary
Artisans: Multi-grain, Pumpkin, Baguettes, Spelt-Walnut, Cranberry-Walnut
Italians: Rosemary, Multi-grain, Whole Wheat, Raisin

All Sorts Acres, TC’s Tibetan Momos, and Windswept Cider are this week’s rotating vendors. Pine River Organic Farm, Plan B and Spade & Spoon will be absent.

Repair Café Toronto returns to Dufferin Grove (the last Thursday of the month) with their team of skillful volunteers, to show you how to bring your damaged stuff around again. Some of their delightful poetry is called for to describe categories of things they repair:

Clothing and Household items: Hoodies got holes and a mangled string? Sounds like the perfect thing to bring!
Small furniture, electronics and appliances: Whether your stuff is flashing or failing, the team of fixers will not be bailing!
Bikes and Toys: Don’t let that creak ruin your week! RC Toronto can help you make your pedals peaceful again!
See you at the market!
Anne Freeman

Who’s Coming:

Aldergrove Organic Farm (veggies and blooms)
Ali Harris (rotis, fish sandwiches, fritters, drinks, pesto)
All Sorts Acre (lamb, wool products, sheep’s milk gelato – every other week)
Bees Universe (honey, eggs, bee products)
ChocoSol (chocolate and coffee)
Country Meadows (olives, oil, cheeses, herbs)
Culture City (natto, tempeh, fermented condiments)
DeFloured (sweet and savoury gluten-free baking)
Dufferin Park Bakers (wood-fired oven breads, soups & snacks)
Earth & City (snacks, spreads and beverages)
First Fish (wild-caught Arctic fillets and hot or cold smoked fish)
Forbes Wild Foods (fresh and dried mushrooms, syrup, nuts and other wild foods)
Fressy Bessie (organic ice pops)
Green Florin (nuts, oils and dried fruits)
Kind Organics (sprouts and salad mixes)
Marvellous Edibles (certified organic chicken, produce, preserves)
Mismak Zena (Ethiopian vegan cuisine)
Monforte Dairy (local cheeses from a variety of milks, tamales)
Niagara Lavender Farm (certified organic tender fruits)
Reye’s Farms (tender fruits (not organic))
Shared Harvest (certified organic veggies and herbs)
Sosnicki Organic Produce (certified organic vegetables)
Tapioca Toronto (Brazilian-style gluten-free crepes with market fillings)
Thorpe’s Organic Produce (veggies)
Urban Harvest (seeds, soil amendments, body care)
Windswept Cider (VQA hard ciders and jun)