Sowing The Seeds!

written by Jerako Wendt

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

*full vendor list here.

Throughout this summer, I found myself searching high and low for a watermelon WITH SEEDS. When I finally found one at the Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market, it reminded me of how valuable farmers’ markets in our communities, truly are. The amazing watermelon (featured), is from Nature’s Way Organics – and it was delicious!

Nature’s Way Organics’ – incredible sweet potatoes and greens.

To let you know friends, this week’s newsletter comes to you from me, Jerako Wendt. I’ve lived in the Dufferin Grove community for over twenty years, and I’ve been coming to our wonderful farmers’ market for many of those years. I currently serve on the farmers’ market board of directors, as chair, and look forward to getting to know you better.

And now back to “seedy stuff”. I’ve learned that seedless fruits are not as healthy, as they have fewer vitamins and minerals. They also contain less fiber, which means they’re digested more quickly by your body. Moreover, the lack of seeds means that these fruits have fewer antioxidants, phytonutrients (plant-based nutrients), and anti-inflammatory properties. 

And did you know that you can actually eat watermelon seeds? It’s true! They can be eaten raw or dried, and are quite rich in magnesium and folate. This helps with energy production, nerve function, blood pressure regulation, and also reduces the risk for cancer and depression. Wow – so many great reasons to shop at organic farmers’ markets. Thursday is almost here. 

“Smiling veggies” from Plan B Organics.

Peppers, cherry tomatoes and eggplant from Sundance Harvest

Vendor News..

(Scroll for the full vendor list, or click here.)

Lots happening this week! First, please know that we will have only one bakery this week. Robinson Bread is away, (but back on August 29th.) So look to Johnson Family Bakery, as they will be bringing extra stock. Try the Swedish knots – yum!

And this week, Bitter Better returns to the market, and is also offering a promotion! This is on their HTB noodles, (Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat) – “buy 2, get 1 FREE sauce”.

Planticia Foods is also back this week. Stock up while you can, as they are only with us once more for the season. (Look for them “on the grass”, where Robinson Bread usually is.)

And First Fish is at the market this week, and you may want to stock up from them as well. Sadly, they are a bit short on staffing (after this month.) So this Thursday (August 22nd), will likely be their last market (at Dufferin Grove), for the season.

House of Tigernut and TC Tibetan Momos will also be at this week’s market.

Cold, refreshing beer from Blood Brothers Brewing – back at the market this week.

Green Florin and Jiggy Popz are also both at this week’s market.

And some sad news from one of our longtime vendors. Unfortunately Country Meadows is done for the season (at Dufferin Grove.) Some words from business owner, Angelo:

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to come to the Dufferin Market anymore this season because I’m running short of olive oil, much sooner than I anticipated. Due to a very poor olive harvest last fall, I got much less oil than I normally would get, and even with bottle limits at the markets, the oil is running low very fast. I’m keeping fingers crossed, and hoping for a better harvest this fall.“ Ok folks – let’s wish Angelo luck!

(Scroll for the full vendor list, or click here.)

Friday Night Supper! 

FNS is happening again this Friday! (As mentioned last week):

“Have dinner with your community this Friday (August 23rd) – and support a market vendor! Visit the Friday Night Supper website for more details. (Pre-orders available starting August 21st.) Still operated by the City of Toronto, (as with years back), but only now with a slightly different menu. The caterers of Magic Oven have been providing a delicious, organic menu, cooked by Tony and his crew. For this week’s dinner, Magic Oven is partnering with Maizal Tortilleria, to provide a “Build Your Own Taco Night”! – complete with meat and vegan options.

We hope you can join us this Friday, August 23rd, here in the park – just outside the clubhouse building, (at 875 Dufferin St.) Dinner is served from 6-7:30pm. The vegan option is $12, and the meat is $14. Both are gluten, dairy, and egg-free. The kid’s option is a cheese quesadilla, ($4.)

All taxes included. We encourage you to pre-order (if you can), but cash sales will always be accepted. Thanks everyone – hope to see you there! 

Highlights From Last Week’s Market..

Seth of Forbes Wild Foods was talking to engaging young minds (of the “Camp TO” program), about the benefits of wild mushrooms – while also giving some of the “how to’s” on safe foraging. Talk about “sowing the seeds” – go Seth!

The “goddesses” of the Corpus Dance Group dazzled us once more, with their incredible performance, (as they celebrated the beautiful flowers from Aldergrove Farm.) Hopefully Corpus will visit the market again next year.

“The Banned Band” also provided great music for us at last week’s market – love this crew! 

And Repair Cafe once again, generated lots of smiling faces with the incredible work they do. The “smiling Amanda” of Johnson Family Bakery, was delighted that they were able to “rescue” a pair of her jeans. What a community we have!

Dried mango from Lapapampa makes for a great alternative to fresh mango – and also makes a yummy snack! Lapapampa returns to the market on September 19th.

Nicole, of “Pine & Ginga” was all smiles at last week’s market – and had lots of market-goers smiling as well. She returns to the market on August 29th.

Volunteer With The Dufferin Grove Market!

We need your help! The market is looking for volunteers to help with the following committees:

• Fundraising
• Events Planning
• Community Outreach
• Marketing & Social Media
• Market Operations and Communication
• Financials

Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to support the market, make a stronger connection to the vendors and to the community – and to have fun! Please reach out if you might be interested.

Send an email to: info@dufferingrovemarket.ca, with the subject “volunteering”. Include a few lines about yourself, your experience, and what you would like to contribute. Thanks so much!

Peppers and tomatoes from Nith Valley Organics.

Thanks for your support everyone,

-Jerako

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

Hooray for the next generation of market shoppers! Hopefully they enjoyed whatever “lesson” they were getting. And a big thank you to Norma, (a dedicated market-goer who sent this photo. 💜)

VENDORS _ August 22, 2024

Growers:

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

Meat, Fish & Dairy:

• Rogers Ranch
• First Fish
• Nith Valley (lamb & chicken)
• Monforte Dairy

Eggs:

• Rogers Ranch
• Nith Valley Organics
• Kooner Farm

Bakeries:

• Johnson Family Bakery 
• Robinson Bread – away this week

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
• Green Florin 
• Planticia Foods – pop-up
• Bitter Better – monthly

Cidery/Brewery:

• Heartwood Farm & Cidery
• Blood Brothers Brewing

“Extras”:

• Face Painting with Isabel
• Community Fridges