Thank You, Summer! 💜

written by Nicole Jacobs, Market Manager

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

*full vendor list here.

Summer (as we know), is an incredible time of year, for farmers’ markets. A phenomenal bounty is already upon us, and plenty more is to come.

So at last week’s market, being the first day of summer, we just had to say Thank You – and in “proper” Dufferin Grove style! This included a brief, but spectacular, summer solstice parade, led by Tamara, of Clay and Paper Theatre (our feature photo.) And a big thank you to Tamara, and to those of you who joined in! And if you happened to miss out, summer continues at this week’s market as well – hope to see you there. 🙌

New Vendor This Week!

As much as we’ve been enjoying the incredible beer of “Blood Brothers Brewing”, this week please welcome Black Lab Brewing to the Dufferin Grove Market! They are coming to us from the Leslieville area, and are very excited to bring their brand to us ”Dufferin Grovers”. And not to worry – Blood Brothers returns next week!

About “Black Lab”:

“Black Lab Brewing opened its doors in October of 2018. Inspired by Snoopy, our trusty and loyal black Labrador mix, the vision of the brewery is simple: to create a space that is inclusive and to produce high-quality beers we want to share with family and friends.”

Returning This Week..

This week Brinell, of Nahara Superfoods returns to the market, with her amazing selection of ghee. We’ve missed you Brinell – hope you had a great time in Banff! 💜

First Fish is also back this week. Pick up some of their delicious turbot, (pictured.)

Jiggy Popz is back as well. Pick up one of Karim’s incredible tasty “popz” – yum!  

Both TC TIbetan Momos and House of Tigernut are also back this week.

Sundance Harvest also returns, and will have: “kale, yellow zucchini, a small amount of cucumbers, head lettuce, chard, chicory, heads of radicchio, pea shoots, radish microgreens, garlic scapes, chamomile, lemon balm, oregano.” Scroll for the full vendor list, or click here.

Toronto Public Library is also at the market this week. Visit their stall to find out about their incredible summer reading programs.

Robinson Bread – providing delicious baked goods every week.

Recipe Spotlight!

This week, Jenny (of Knuckle Down Farm), reached out to me, wanting to share her chimichurri recipe, from her incredible garlic scapes. “YES PLEASE!”, I responded – obviously. 🙂 So here you go folks!

“.Knuckle Down Farm’s  Spring Garlic Scape Chimichurri”:

ingredients:

-two bunches (about a two dozen) garlic scapes

-one bunch cilantro (mint also works)

-one bunch parsley

-small oregano bunch

-three green onions

-½  cup olive oil

-¼ cup red wine vinegar

-a fresh chili pepper or chili flakes

-squeeze of lime

-salt and pepper (to taste)

Loving advice from Jenny:

“You can definitely chop all of the ingredients by hand, but I recommend cutting the flower end off of the garlic scapes and then throwing them into a food processor for a coarse chop. I was lazy, so after this step I just piled the rest of the ingredients in and chopped it all up ’till it was a consistency I liked, not too smooth, but chopped into small pieces. That’s it, so easy and so delicious! This makes a pretty big batch, but it will store in the fridge for a few weeks if you don’t eat it up before that. Traditionally it is served with grilled meat, but it tastes good with pretty much everything.” Wow – I can’t wait! Can you? xo

Did You Know?

Mushrooms have incredible health benefits – and of course, I know that you knew that. 🙂 The “did you know” refers to what mushroom substrate can do for your garden. Full disclosure, I only just learned myself. Talk to Nykole, of Noki Farms this week, to learn more.

Highlights From Last Week..

A big thank you to Elena, for sharing her amazing musical talents on the violin. Elena joined our “market performers family”, back in 2022, and has been with us ever since. She returns again on July 18th.

If you haven’t met this delightful bunch, there’s still time! (But not much. haha)

(From right to left): Mauro, Ida, Anja and Enia. This family joined our community just last summer (2023), all the way from Switzerland – and almost immediately knew where the best place to be on a Thursday afternoon was! Aww.. But sadly, they are going back there very soon.

However, in Mauro’s hands, is one of our lovely reusable Dufferin Grove Market shopping bags. Mauro actually had all of his favourite vendors sign it – (just brilliant!!) You can’t tell from the photo, but the back of his bag is covered with touching well wishes from various vendors. Thanks Mauro (and family) – we will miss you! xo

And if you haven’t gotten one of these bags, visit the info table at the market to get your own – just $20. Our vendors will happily “autograph” yours too! 🤸🏿‍♂️

Heartwood Farm & Cidery – refreshing cider (including non-alcoholic varieties), are available every week.

Look for Cycle Toronto at the market this week, as they close out Bike Month with us. 🙌

Thanks for your support everyone – and see you Thursday.. 

-Nicole

*Market operates every Thursday, 3-7pm – in Dufferin Grove Park (at the north-end) 

VENDORS _ June 27, 2024

Growers:

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

Meat, Fish & Dairy:

• Rogers Ranch
• First Fish
• Nith Valley (lamb & chicken)
• Monforte Dairy
• Nahara Superfoods – ghee

Eggs:

• Rogers Ranch
• Nith Valley Organics
• Kooner Farm

Bakeries:

• Johnson Family Bakery 
• Robinson Bread

Prepared Foods:

• Magic Oven
• Estelle’s Caribbean Cuisine
• Tapioca Toronto 
• TC Tibetan Momos

Preserves & Specialty Items:

• Forbes Wild Foods
• Jiggy Popz
• Kamplex Snax
• House of Tigernut

Cidery/Brewery:

• Heartwood Farm & Cidery
• Black Lab Brewing – new!

“Extras”:

• Toronto Public Library
• Cycle Toronto
• Karma Co-op
• Community Fridges

Community Fridges is at the market every week – helping us get good food where it’s needed most. 🙌