Roaring August

Dear Market Community,

It’s been a while! My name is Aanastasia, and I am guest-writing the market news this week.

Some of you may remember me from when I wore the hat of Data and Inventory Manager for the online market during the early days of the pandemic. I am excited and grateful to continue contributing to this beautiful community as a member of the Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers’ Market’s Board of Directors.

There is something magical about this community; I feel it every time I walk through the market at Dufferin Grove Park. There is a sense of unity, harmony, and goodwill. From the small children toddling along the earthen pathway to our vendors’ smiling faces as they share the fruits of their labour – it’s an incredible place to visit!

aanastasia

Aanastasia and one of the sweetest market babies! 

Thank you all so much for your support of the market! The rest of the Board and I are in awe of the outpouring of support via donations and emails that we have received. 

 

We have now reached our fundraising goal! 

 

We appreciate your response to our fundraising call-out. We know how much the market means to you, our vendors, and farmers. As a non-profit, we are kept afloat by grants and the generosity of people like you. We will continue our fundraising efforts, and we have some fun ideas and events in store.

 

Stay tuned! 

Help Keep the Market Going <3

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August has come in with a roar! I hope everyone stayed safe and cool during the extremely hot days.

One of my favourite ways to cool down in the summer heat is by eating ice-cold treats! Thankfully, the market vendors have us all covered.

fresh pops

Fresh Pops has mouthwatering popsicles in flavours like Fresh Mango, Chocolate, Pineapple Coconut, and Raspberry Lemonade. Visit the market early to get your hands on a couple before they sell out!

Or, you can order one of All Sorts Acres Farms’ delicious Sheep Milk Kefreezies or Gelato STIX

Prefer to cool down with a cold drink? Alchemy Pickle CompanyPear Ginger Kombucha is a refreshing and subtly spicy way to do so. 

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The sounds of Richard Underhill

                               

I don’t know about you, but I am the type of person who eats soup all year round, and I highly recommend it!

 

My soup of choice this week is Cream of Zucchini Soup!

 

Ingredients:

Braided Onion Bunches by Greenhouse Eatery

Recipe:

  1. Boil: Bring the broth, onion, garlic, and zucchini to a boil over medium heat.
  2. Simmer: Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes.
  3. Puree: Remove the pot from the heat and puree with an immersion blender. If you only have a regular blender, let the soup cool a bit and fill the blender halfway to puree.
  4. Season: Add cream cheese, blend it again, and then season with salt and pepper. If your soup is thinner than you would like, add more zucchini.

Serve chilled or hot.

 

Enjoy!

                               

This past week we celebrated the birthday of our Market Manager, Nicole

 

Nicole navigates her role with grace, confidence, and a lot of skill. We are so lucky to have her! Happy Birthday Nicole!

 

Thank you, Nicole! Here’s wishing you a year ahead that’s filled with as much love and sparkle as you bring to the market!

– A word from Nicole

 

“First off, let me extend an enormous THANK YOU, and a super-enormous hug, to this amazing community I’m lucky enough to be a part of!

 

Some of you may have heard (or already knew), that it was my birthday on Thursday (August 11th). Well many would not have been thrilled to have to work on their “special day” – but you folks barely made it feel like a work day! 🙂 Many of you (individually), came up to me to wish me a happy one. And this was on top of special performances by Clay and Paper Theatre, and Richard Underhill, (longtime Dufferin Grove musician.) So again, thank you – for being the amazing “Dufferin Grovers” that you are!!

 

xxo,

– Nicole”

And fyi folks, Clay & Paper is putting on their final performance of “Art Ambulance”, in the park tonight (August 14th), at 7pm – a free and fantastic production right in Dufferin Grove Park! (donations are always welcome)

Featured below is a pic of farmers, Ed and Holly, of Nature’s Way, who are convinced that they have the solution for anyone competing for the award of “best cucumber selfie” – be sure to stop by their table, as I’m sure they can suggest some fun poses for you! 🙂

Also this coming week, please extend a warm welcome to a couple of guest vendors.

 

1- Starting with “Anarres Natural Health and Apothecary” who introduce themselves with this message:

 

Hi folks! We at Anarres are excited to share that on August 18th we will be at Dufferin Grove Market running mini self-spa workshops. That means that you can stop by anytime, and learn to make a DIY face mask, body scrub or bath salt. It’s super simple, easy, and educational!

 

Anarres is a social enterprise storefront and online resource founded 15 years ago. We focus on body care, bulk DIY supplies and environmentally friendly housewares. 

 

We’re committed to using ethical resources and supporting projects and initiatives that we believe in. Our goal is to help teach people about natural fair trade ingredients and how to use them and so we hold a variety of workshops in store from lotions to haircare to deodorant. Feel free to come visit us at 1076 Bloor St. W from 12-7pm Tues-Sat – or visit: www.anarreshealth.ca

2- We’ll also have a representative from Climate Science to discuss food insecurity and food waste. Here’s a note from them:

 

“Are you passionate about climate change? Do you want to learn more about food insecurity and food waste while shopping at your local farmers market? Then this is the perfect event for you! On August 18, 2022, come visit us, ClimateScience, at Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market, to educate yourself about your impact on food, learn about the Toronto Food Deserts Project and get involved!

We are looking forward to seeing you there. For more information, please email behravan.kiana@climatescience.org or visit us at https://linktr.ee/cstoronto.”

And a brief note regarding Country Meadows, as some of you have asked. 🙂 Angelos’ last day with us was July 14th, as he needed to step back, being a bit short handed. We hope to have him back at Dufferin early next month – as we are all missing his amazing olives, olive oil and feta. However, I am waiting to receive a confirmation from Angelos later this month, as this will also depend on his supply. Keep you posted – thanks for hanging in there!

That’s all for now, folks! Have a wonderful week!

 

– Aanastasia, Nicole and the Market Crew

Market VENDORS _  (in-person) _ August 18, 2022

Farmers, Dairy & Meats:

  • Reyes Farms
  • Greenhouse Eatery
  • Aldergrove Farm
  • All Sorts Acres
  • Sosnicki Organics
  • Kooner 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
  • TC Tibetan Momos
  • Earth + City 

Bakery, Preserves, & Specialty Items:

  • Robinson Bakery 
  • Lev Bakery
  • Forbes Wild Foods
  • ChocoSol
  • Jiggy Popz 

Wine, Cider & Brewery:

  • Heartwood Cidery  

Special Events/Guests:

  • Anarres Health
  • Climate Science
  • Community Fridges

For a list of online vendors, visit: http://www.dufferingrovemarket.ca/