Tomato, “Tomahto”! 🍅🍅🍅

written by Nicole Jacobs, Market Manager

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

*full vendor list here.

Tomato, indeed! (Or “tomahto”, if you prefer. 🙂 Either way, what a delicious time of year for them! (The “featured” tomatoes are from the incredible bounty of Nith Valley Organics – wow.)

But also, it’s “Farmers’ Market Week”! (August 4-11, 2024.) So what does that mean exactly? Well to quote FMO, (Farmers Markets Ontario):

“Farmers’ Market Week is a chance to celebrate the wonderful experience of shopping and supporting local farmers’ markets. The month of August is the height of the growing season and markets are brimming with local food, products, and community spirit. 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. Show your support for local agriculture and the local economy.” Poetry.

Peaches! We’ve still got them right now! Visit the Reyes Farms stall, to grab some this week. 🙌

I especially love this part: “brimming with local food, products, and community spirit.” If that doesn’t capture the “magic” of the Dufferin Grove Market, what does? Either way, let’s keep it going – you are a special part of that too. xo

Incredible greens (and more), from Nature’s Way Organics – and they’ve got corn too! 🤸🏿‍♂️

Estelle, of “Estelle’s Caribbean”, pictured here, serving up her delicious patties. Meat, veggie or vegan – the perfect snack, and an incredible crowd-pleaser at the Dufferin Grove Market. Estelle will have her full menu once again, this week – including jerk chicken and curry goat, and more!

Amazing meat (and eggs) selection from Rogers Ranch. The butter, from St Brigid’s Creamery, is just fantastic! I met these folks last year, and learned quite a bit, about the incredible operation they have. Some (brief) notes about St Brigid’s butter: “organic, regenerative, grass-fed, and 84% Jersey – butters churned for a better world.” Talk to Dave (of Roger’s Ranch), to learn more..

Vendor News..

First and foremost, get ready to welcome a brand new vendor – “Laneway Distillery”! 

A few words from owner, Jessica Chester:

“We are 100% women-founded and led. Our products are sustainably made, using syrup and maple water from a family-run organic maple sugar bush, and wild botanicals sourced by a sustainable foraging team.”

Laneway’s products:

• No. 12 Vodka: A fresh-tasting vodka crafted with purified maple sap water.

• No. 11 Gin: A bright, modern gin for cocktails with notes of citrus and crisp juniper.

• No. 33 Gin: An elevated sipping gin with notes of woodsy spice and lush botanicals.

• Evergin: A unique sipping gin with notes of maple taffy and boreal forest.

And finally – the wait is over! After three long weeks, Forbes Wild Foods is back at the market! Let’s show Seth show much we missed him, and stock up!

Spade & Spoon is our monthly vendor this week – hooray for Blythe!

Our bi-weekly returning vendors this week: TC Tibetan Momos, House of Tigernut, First Fish, and Country Meadows. Green Florin will also be there this week.

Scroll for the full vendor list, or click here.

Some (fyi), for next week, (August 15th): 

*Knuckle Down Farm returns 

*Repair Cafe is back – (3-6pm)

*Corpus Dance Group is doing a performance – (4 to 4:30pm)

An apricot-hazelnut galette from Robinson Bread. Also, try the cherry hand-pies – yum!

Tomato Trivia Anyone?

To celebrate “Farmers’ Market Week”, we will be spotlighting tomatoes at this week’s market. Please celebrate with us, by testing your “tomato knowledge”! Taste among the many tomato varieties, currently available from our amazing market vendors. One of them sent me this pic – can you guess which one? Well if you visit the “tomato station”, I promise to et you know. 🙂 

The station will be set up near the music tent, (at the south-end of the market) – but just until 6:30pm. If you can’t find it, please visit the info tent, and someone will gladly direct you. And please know that this is a market fundraiser – so if you can make a small donation, that would be much appreciated. Also – there’s a raffle prize at the end – yippee!

Art Exhibit, In Support Of A Vendor..

Kalmplex, of Kalmplex Snax, is participating in this art exhibition, and would love your support. 

The “Emancipation Day Art Exhibition”, showcases collective works by selected BIPOC artists, that exemplify emancipation. Just incredible – that definitely captures our very own, multi-talented, Kalmlex! 🙌

Details:

when: on now – ending on Sunday August 11th

timing: 6-9pm

where: Worth Gallery – 830 Dundas St W

cost: FREE

But please note, that as a result, Kalmplex will need to leave the market a bit early this week. So you’ll need to make your “snax” purchases, by 5:30pm – (on August 8th only.)

Highlights From Last Week..

The talented performers of “Diaspora Dialogues”, delivered some spoken word poetry, at last week’s market – just incredible. Attendees were even invited to take part, and thus rewarded with free meal vouchers for Magic Oven, if they did – awesome! 

Longtime market musician, RIchard Underhill (left), (and guitarist, Harley), delighted market-goers with wonderful music, as always. Thanks guys! 💜

Clay and Paper Theatre made a “special appearance” last week, to talk to folks about “Night of Dread”, (happening on October 26th, 2024) – can’t wait!

Hooray for Bert! The much-loved canine of Monforte dairy, paid a much-welcomed visit to the crew of Noki Farms.

Thanks everyone! For your continued support of local agriculture. 💜

-Nicole

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

VENDORS _ August 8th, 2024

Growers:

• Plan B Organics
• Nith Valley Organics
• Reyes Farms
• Aldergrove Farm
• Noki Farms
• Kooner Farm 
• Sundance Harvest
• Nature’s Way

Meat, Fish & Dairy:

• Rogers Ranch
• First Fish
• Nith Valley (lamb & chicken)
• Monforte Dairy
• Country Meadows (feta cheese, olive oil, olives)

Eggs:

• Rogers Ranch
• Nith Valley Organics
• Kooner Farm
• Country Meadows

Bakeries:

• Johnson Family Bakery 
• Robinson Bread

Prepared Foods:

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

Preserves & Specialty Items:

• Kalmplex Snax
• Jiggy Popz
• House of Tigernut
• Green Florin
• Spade & Spoon – monthly

Cidery/Brewery:

• Heartwood Farm & Cidery
• Blood Brothers Brewing
• Laneway Distillery – new pop-up!

“Extras”:

• “Tomato Trivia”!
• Musician – “Kettleband Official”
• Face Painting by Isabel! 
• Community Fridges

City staffer, Shazeel, helping out at the Plan B Organics stall – and having a fun time doing so!