Fruits + Veggies
Meat + Dairy
Preserves + Specialty Foods
Baking + Prepared Food
written by Lillian Carcao, Communications Coordinator
Market operates Thursdays, 3-7pm, at 875 Dufferin St
*full vendor list here.
Hey everyone! This week’s newsletter comes to you from Lillian! I’ve been helping out Nicole with the market’s social media for a couple months now – you might have noticed me making some of the signs or going around taking lots of photos during the market.
See me pictured here doing very important work – petting Bert from Monforte Dairy.
I’ve been having a wonderful time getting to know the Dufferin Grove community better, at each market, so I’m very excited to be in charge of this week’s newsletter!
Cheese and pepperettes, from Monforte Dairy
Now, back to the garlic… I read a quote from an old newspaper the other day that felt very appropriate to start today’s newsletter :
“Garlic is a flavoring for the gods and it is treason to say that a little of it goes a long way.”
That quote is almost 80 years old, and I couldn’t agree more! Aldergrove Farm has had fantastic selections of garlic recently – and whether you’re making something as simple as garlic bread from a baguette or something more complex, you can never go wrong with more garlic!
Bear’s Head, Black Pearl Oyster, and Lion’s Mane – what have those got to do with mushrooms?? As Nykole from Noki Farms explained, many mushrooms are named after things that they look like. Pictured above is their Lion’s Mane – do you see a resemblance in the texture?
Vendor News:
Got any clothes or small appliances in need of repair? You’ll be glad to hear that Repair Café is going to be at this week’s market – and they’re amazing at what they do! I personally got a pair of old jeans fixed by them a couple months ago, which you can see happen on our Instagram page by clicking this link! Remember, just one item per person, and from 3-6pm only.
Knuckle Down Farm will be back again this week – and will be throughout the rest of the season!
Greenhouse Eatery is also set to return this week! Audrey will be back, grilling jerk chicken, ribs and veggies. Trust me, if you want ribs, you should head over to Greenhouse Eatery asap, because they get sold out fast! 🏃♂️🏃♀️💨
For the first time this season, Lapapampa Dried Mangoes will be back at the Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market! (If you’re not familiar), here’s a few words from business owner, Angie:
“Lapapampa Dried Mangoes are certified-organic, gluten-free, preservative-free, and with no added sugar. We also only use the Kent mango for our dried mango, so you get a consistent flavour from your first bite to your last. The orchard, located in the Andes mountains of Peru, has been in the family since 1895, and my husband and I are proud to carry on the traditions of the farm.”
Looking for some lovely scents to freshen up around the house? Whether you need essential oils, or handmade honey soaps, Urban Harvest has got you covered! (Along with Colette’s organic seed packets. 🙌)
The ‘fin’-tastic crew from Fisherfolk will be at this week’s farmer’s market with their latest catches! They have a great variety of fish products you’ll love to try, from stews to candied to even burgers!
Hungry after work? Stop by Crepe de la Crepe for a delicious treat!
At last, Pine & Ginga Juice will be returning with their delicious juices!
Another long awaited return, Maizal Tortilleria will be back with their chips and dips!
Thursday is set to be a hot one. Good thing Sopsicles Toronto will be selling refreshing fresh popsicles at the market! (Jiggy Popz returns next week, August 22nd.)
Dinner Plans This Friday?
Have dinner with your community this Friday (August 16th) – and support a market vendor! Visit the Friday Night Supper website for more details. Pre-orders available now!
Some of you remember the beloved weekly tradition of the “Friday Night Suppers” in Dufferin Grove Park, (which began decades ago.) Just epic. Well after a four-year hiatus, they have slowly been coming back. Still operated by the City of Toronto, (as with years back), only now with a slightly different menu. Since last month, the caterers of Magic Oven have been providing a delicious menu cooked by Tony and his crew. We hope you can join us this Friday, August 16th, here in the park – just outside the clubhouse building, (at 875 Dufferin St.) Dinner is served from 6-7:30pm. A vegan meal is $12 and meat dish is $14. Both are gluten and dairy free. There’s also a kid’s “naanza” for $4, (with dairy and gluten.) All taxes included. To save on resources (and reduce waste), we also folks to bring their own plate – but other options will be available.
And please know that each dish comes with two sides and very generous portions. It is also an organic dinner, with food purchased from market vendors (as much as possible.) You may see Tony, on market day, “shopping” from our vendors. We encourage you to pre-order (if you can), to help Tony manage quantities. However, cash sales will always be accepted, at the dinner, (if quantities are available.) Thanks everyone – hope to see you there!
Last Week’s Highlights..
You like jazz? Well “Kettleband Official” made their debut appearance, at last week’s market! And what a first showcase it was! Receiving a warm “Dufferin Grove welcome”, their jam session got people (young and old) grooving to their tunes!
Last week’s “Tomato Fest” went amazingly! Thank you to everyone who stopped by the tent to try out our vendors’ incredible tomatoes and play tomato trivia. For those who entered our raffle, look forward to this week’s market, where we will be announcing the winner! 🍅🍅
Delicious tomatoes from Sundance Harvest!
Clay & Paper Theatre turned up in some fantastic masks last week to promote their upcoming “Night of Dread”!
Nature’s Way Organics’ cucamelons are an absolutely adorable, and an easy veggie to snack on.
A variety of breads from Robinson Bread this week 👀👀
Laneway Distillers struck gold with this No. 33 Gin! They return on August 29th.
That’s all from me for this week – thank you all for reading, and supporting our local farmers!
– Lillian ✌🏻😘✌🏻
*every Thursday, 3-7pm – in Dufferin Grove Park (at the north-end)
VENDORS _ August 15th, 2024
Growers:
- Plan B Organics
- Nith Valley Organics
- Reyes Farms
- Aldergrove Farm
- Noki Farms
- Kooner Farm
- Sundance Harvest
- Knuckle Down Farm
- Nature’s Way Organics
- Urban Harvest
Meat, Fish & Dairy:
- Rogers Ranch
- Nith Valley Organics (lamb & chicken)
- Fisherfolk
- Monforte Dairy
Eggs:
- Rogers Ranch
- Nith Valley Organics
- Kooner Farm
Bakeries:
- Johnson Family Bakery
- Robinson Bread
Prepared Foods:
- Magic Oven
- Estelle’s Caribbean Cuisine
- Tapioca Toronto
- Crepe de la Crepe T.O.
- Greenhouse Eatery
Preserves & Specialty Items:
- Kalmplex Snax
- Sopsicles Toronto
- Green Florin
- Pine & Ginga Juice
- Maizal Tortilleria
- Urban Harvest
- Lapapampa Dried Mango – pop-up!
Cidery/Brewery:
- Heartwood Farm & Cidery
- Blood Brothers Brewing
“Extras”:
- Repair Cafe – 3-6pm
- “Corpus” – dance performance,
- Musician – “The Banned Band”
- Face Painting by Isabel!
- Community Fridges
Kooner Farms had some ginormous zucchini last week!