Local, And Loving It! 🥒 

written by Nicole Jacobs, Market Manager

Market operates Thursdays, 3-7pm, at 875 Dufferin St 

*full vendor list here.

Yes, we are very local at Dufferin Grove – and boy do we love it! But I highlight that now, because it’s also “Local Food Week”, (June 3-9, 2024) – yippee! And with so many great farmers’ markets to enjoy, what could be better? But obviously, Dufferin Grove is your favourite, right? haha

Our feature photo is of the incredible (and local) bounty from Nith Valley Organics. 🙌

So if you’re asking, “what does local food week mean”? Or “am I doing it right?” In short, supporting local farmers’ markets. And clearly you’re doing that – so YES. You’re “doing it right”! But as FMO (Farmers’ Markets Ontario), explains:

“Local Food Week is the annual kick-off to the outdoor farmers’ market season when Ontario growers and their just-picked produce return to communities large and small, throughout the province.” Wow – such an amazing time for food. Thank you farmers! 💜

Beautiful ranunculus from Aldergrove Farm – more this week as well. 

This Week’s Vendors..

Starting with a heads up – Rogers Ranch sends their regrets, but they’ll be away this week.

And now, fresh oysters!! After five long years, Island Oysters finally returns to the Dufferin Grove Market! And if you’ve never met business owner Jason Kun, he’s quite a guy! And having grown up in PEI, he really knows his oysters.

This (2019) photo of him at Dufferin Grove, really captures his personality – 100%. In the centre, is my daughter Carianne, and young Nora, Rodrigo’s daughter, (of Plan B Organics.) I wonder if Nora tried an oyster that day. Well either way, Jason definitely kept them both entertained!

And get ready to welcome Blood Brothers brewery! It’s definitely been a while since we’ve had a craft beer vendor at the market, so please give them a warm welcome on Thursday. A few words from business owner, Erica:

“Located just up the road (from Dufferin Grove), on Geary Ave, Blood Brothers has been in business for over 8 years and is now one of the top breweries in Canada! We’ll be bringing a variety of different beers, seltzers and non-alcoholic cans to grab & go! From lagers to sours, to hazy IPAs…and everything in between!”

It’s also time to welcome back Kooner Farm! Indy Kooner joins us for his first market of the season this week – and tells me he’ll be bringing the following:

“raddish, hothouse mini cucumbers, graded eggs (small quantity), fresh garlic, some herbs and hanging baskets”. 

After a long break, BitterBetter is also back this week! If you’re not familiar with their HTP products, (Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat), here’s a few words from business owner, Tammy Fung.

“HTP is a great immune-booster, which contains many powerful antioxidants. And in addition to being an anti-inflammatory, It’s also gluten free, sugar-free and vegan.” Look out for their incredible buckwheat noodles, teas, cookies, and health products.

Other returning vendors this week are Pine & Ginga Juice, Maizal Tortilleria, and Green Florin. (Scroll for the full vendor list, or click here.)

And if you didn’t know, Chocosol’s chocolate, and coffee beans are available at the market each week. Just visit the Plan B Organics stall, to find them.

REMINDER for June 13th..

Now’s the time, if you’ve got some “excess” of children and/or baby clothing – or if you need to get some more of that stuff! On June 13, 2024, the market will once again, host a Clothing Swap, for (kids and babies.)  It will also be accompanied with a sing-along! All FREE!

The details:

-Thursday, June 13th, 2024

– Swap is from 3-5:30pm

– “Circle Time”/sing-along is from 5:15-5:45pm

-This is a FREE event

Veggie Spotlight..

Organic fiddleheads, from Forbes Wild Foods. 

It’s that time of year again, so fresh fiddleheads are here! If you’ve never had these, they’re loaded with antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Forbes Wild Foods recommends cleaning them well, and cooking them well, before eating. Definitely not to be consumed raw. (After washing), they should either be boiled (or steamed) for about 10 minutes. They can then be sauteed, or even chopped up, and added to a quiche or omelette. The taste of fiddleheads (in my opinion), is similar to that of asparagus, or broccoli. Ready to give them a try?

And if you find the “pre-cooking” to be too much work, pickled fiddleheads are a great option.

Highlights from Last Market..

On hot, sunny days, Heartwood Farm & Cidery has the perfect solution! (Non-alcoholic varieties also available.)

Welcome back to Dufferin, Bert! (The market’s #1 canine, and “helping hand” of Monforte Dairy.) If you like dogs, Bert is super-friendly.

Amazing olive fougasse, from Robinson Bread.

Delicious Caribbean food being served up by Estelle’s Caribbean.

A reminder that dancing is allowed at the market – yahoo! 🤸🏿‍♂️

First market of June – hope to see you there. xo

-Nicole

(*outside the Clubhouse at Dufferin Grove Park – every Thursday, 3-7pm)

Delicious vegan spanakopita, from Magic Oven.

VENDORS _ June 6, 2024

Growers:

• Plan B Organics
• Nith Valley Organics
• Reyes Farms
• Noki Farms
• Urban Harvest 
• Knuckle Down Farm
• Aldergrove Farm
• Kooner Farm – new!

Meat & Fish:

• Fisherfolk
• Monforte Dairy
• Nith Valley (lamb & chicken)

Eggs:

• Nith Valley Organics
• Kooner Farm

Bakeries:

• Johnson Family Bakery 
• Robinson Bread

Prepared Foods:

• Magic Oven
• Estelle’s Caribbean Cuisine
• Tapioca Toronto 
• Maizal Tortilleria

Preserves & Specialty Items:

• Forbes Wild Foods
• Kamplex Snax
• Jiggy Popz
• Green Florin
• Pine & Ginga Juice

Brewery/Cidery & Wine:

• Heartwood Farm & Cidery
• Blood Brothers Brewing – new!

June 13th:

• (Kid’s) Clothing Swap! 👚👖 

Incredible Miche sourdough, from Johnson Family Bakery