Yes, that’s right – August 7-14 is Farmers’ Market Week! Farmers Markets Ontario describes it as:
“A chance to celebrate the wonderful experience of shopping and supporting local farmers’ markets. It is extremely important that our association works together to showcase to consumers your efforts in creating the best farmers’ markets in Ontario!
Farmers’ Market Week is a prime opportunity to connect Ontario shoppers with farmers and producers who work endlessly to deliver delicious produce from farm to plate.”
And there’s more!
Each year (as some of you may already know), there is a “Famers Market of the Year” award – and this year, I’m hoping “our little market” can claim that prize. Wish us luck!
Some more details from FMO: “Farmers’ Markets Ontario will recognize an outstanding Farmers’ Market that is exemplary in adding value to their communities and the Ontario farmers’ market sector for the 2022 season.” (or visit):
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fD_mflfFazqIY7Xas0dcrY79mlqejfXOMI1C5DCyjzM/edit
Looks like the weather forecast finally got it right, as BOY did it ever pour on Thursday!! But as many vendors and customers remarked, we have been very lucky so far this year in terms of the weather, and you can’t have the good days without the tough ones!! Not to mention the farmers’ crops have been in dire need of a good rain too!
However not all products at the market are water-resistant, good thing everyone’s spirit was! As even Yoni from Lev Bakery had his award winning smile after the rain hit (and after saving his bread from the water!), only his shoes didn’t feel the same way! But he wasn’t alone as kids and market workers alike dawned the barefoot look after that torrential soaking!
Yoni and his muddi kicks!
This week we had the lovely Patrick O’Neill performing with his incredible accordion skills, making you feel like you were walking through a video game or movie, and was the perfect accompaniment for the market that day 🙂 Hopefully you got to hear some of the brilliant tunes he was putting out, but if you missed him this time he’ll be back on September 15th!!
REPAIR CAFE is back this week as well, so don’t forget to come support and bring anything you need fixed up!
Also back in the park this week is Knuckle Down Farms!
“Dufferin Grove friends, we miss the Market so much I have decided to come in for an extra visit! Be sure to stop by for all of your garlic needs, I will be bringing all four of our varieties and it’s a beautiful crop this year. We will also be bringing a rainbow of beets, swiss chard and the most delicious heirloom tomatoes!” – Jenny from Knuckle Down
Avling Brewery Rooftop Garden
The pear and apple trees have begun to bear fruit after about 4 years.
Avling Brewery on Queen Street East is coming to the market on August 11, and the second week of each month all season with some of their delicious and unusual brews! We were first intrigued when we learned that they make a beer with marigolds in it from their rooftop farm.
The marigolds aren’t the only farm-fresh ingredient that turns up in their beer! On the roof of the brewery, there is a flourishing urban farm, the first of its kind in Toronto (i.e. a purpose-built agricultural rooftop design rather that a green roof converted for food production). Lush drifts of herbs and indigenous flowers are in abundance, along with tiny strawberries, sunflowers, and many vegetables. These are also turned into delicious menu items in the restaurant that is part of the brewery.
It may be across the great divide of the Don Valley, but it’s well worth the trip to the far east (actually, just past Carlaw) to enjoy the beers and great food at Avling! Ask Danielle or other helpers at their market table for more information about ‘farm tours’ up on the roof!
written by: Anne Freeman
For the above photo; Avling uses a nifty system of cords wound on spools to tie tomato plants up, adjusting the height through the season.
(Photos and files courtesy of Anne Freeman)
[products ids=”4520,33473″ per_page=”4″ columns=”2″]Featured here is Beatta – a long time market shopper, and dear friend of the market. She’s holding some of Nature’s Way’s spectacular basil! Fyi, her hand is only gestured that way, because Nicole (market manager), asked Beatta for some “basiltude” – (basil with an attitude!) haha
The market workers and our Happy Feet! Wonder who’s feet are who’s? Can you guess correctly?
I would very much like to thank every vendor, customer, volunteer, and worker who powered through yesterday and stuck it out with such unfavourable weather conditions and with such amazing spirits. It’s unreal how truly lovely and community oriented everyone is here and is one of the many joys I have working at this market; which in itself feels like such a stark contrast from the rough hustle and bustle of other industries and places in these days. So I really hope people know how special they are and how much we appreciate the support and help we get every week <3
-Izak
Market VENDORS _ (in-person) _ August 11, 2022
Farmers, Dairy & Meats:
- Reyes Farms
- Greenhouse Eatery
- Aldergrove Farm
- All Sorts Acres
- Sosnicki Organics
- Kooner Farms
- Knuckledown Farms
- Nith Valley
- Nature’s Way
- Plan B Organics
- Kind Organics
- Rogers Ranch
- Bees Universe
- Monforte Dairy
- First Fish
Prepared Foods:
- La Mexicana
- Tapioca Toronto
- Magic Oven
- Earth + City
Bakery, Preserves, & Specialty Items:
- Robinson Bakery
- Lev Bakery
- Forbes Wild Foods
- ChocoSol
- Spade & Spoon
- Green Florin
- Bruized
- Fresh Pops
Wine, Cider & Brewery:
- Daughter’s Cidery
- Avling Brewery
Special Events/Guests:
- Repair Cafe
- Community Fridges
For a list of online vendors, visit: http://www.dufferingrovemarket.ca/