Kitchen Clean-up Time! 🧹🧹🧹

written by Nicole Jacobs, Market Manager

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

*full vendor list here.

Yes friends – something new at the Dufferin Grove market this week! For the first time, we’ll be doing a “kitchen swap” – this Thursday, August 29th. And if you’re wondering, “is that like a clothing swap?” The answer is yes! You can declutter your kitchen a bit, by dropping off gently-used kitchen items – or add to your kitchen, if you need. (There is no requirement to drop something off, in order to take something away.) Just another way to build community, while also helping out those who may be in need. (And of course, everything is free.) We’re asking for small appliances, pots, pans and tableware. Items must be in good working order, and/or in near-new condition. And please package “breakables” appropriately. 

Donated items can be dropped off throughout this week, at the Dufferin Grove clubhouse, at 875 Dufferin St – (and at the swap itself.) And to let you know, “leftover” items will be picked up by St Vincent de Paul, and their volunteer team. St Vincent operates within the St Helen’s Church parish, (near Dundas and Lansdowne.) A big thanks to Erella Gagnon, for making those arrangements. 

And wait! There’s more! The wonderful brooms (pictured), will be raffled off, at the kitchen swap. This is thanks to the wonderful generosity of Kawartha Broom Company! For those unfamiliar, Kawartha has been a part of the Dufferin Grove market for several years now (doing occasional pop-ups here and there.) Their incredible corn brooms are hand-made, also using broomcorn from local Ontario farmers. Stay tuned – Kawartha Brooms will be “sweeping in” to the market this fall!

Red-hot chili peppers, from Nith Valley Organics.

Seth, of Forbes Wild Foods posing with his incredible maple syrup – and so much more!

Vendor News:

Full vendor list here. 

First up, get ready to welcome a brand new coffee vendor! Mr Macaw Brazilian Coffee offers organic, fair-trade Brazilian coffee, both hot and iced. Here’s few words from co-founder David, who you can look forward to meeting this week:

“At Mr Macaw Brazilian Coffee, we share a deep love for coffee and its culture. We source only the best beans, and our commitment to quality, sustainability and community, is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why a portion of our proceeds goes to the protection of native animals and plants, in their natural communities. We view coffee excellence as a way of life.” 

Aside from their incredible breads, if you were bummed about not being able to get any (and all), of these tasty treats (pictured), last week, worry not – Robinson Bread is back this Thursday!

Urban Harvest is also back this week. Colette returns with her essential oils, handmade honey-soaps, and more!

Casa Shrooms will also be at the market this week, with their mushroom-based teas, dark chocolate, and vegan mushroom pate. They’re only with us once per month, so don’t miss out!

Laneway Distillers is another pop-up vendor returning this week. A women-owned, and women-run business, offering premium gin and vodkas.

Fisherfolk is also back this week, with their amazing seafood selection.

“Sopsicles Toronto” will be with us one last time for the season – grab your very last sopsicle this week!

Our remaining bi-weekly vendors this week: Maizal Tortilleria, Crepe de la Crepe, Green Florin, and Pine & Ginga. Full vendor list here.

And among our (visiting) not-for-profits this week: Toronto Public Library, Cycle Toronto and Greenpeace Canada. We’ve got your “back-to-school” covered!

Noki Farms’ amazing gourmet mushrooms – (and microgreens.)

Special Birthday Wishes!

Happy Birthday Herschel! If you don’t know who this kind and caring soul, (as well as longtime supporter of the market) is, please read on. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Herschel for near two decades, and this past Saturday (August 24th), I was lucky enough to have been invited to his 95th birthday party! Held right here, at the Dufferin Grove clubhouse – and what a showing it was! Herschel’s son Noah, is holding the delicious birthday cake that many of us, later got to enjoy. Such a fun time – hooray for Herschel! 💜

“Community Board”..

Yes, the last long weekend of summer is fast approaching! But if (like me), you’re staying in town, know that there are things happening right here, in our beautiful park. This Friday (August 30th), the “Friday Night Supper” event is happening, but being coordinated by the City of Toronto for this week. Still right here, at the clubhouse, (at 875 Dufferin St), from 6-7:30pm. 

MENU:

– Veggie Chilli and Cornbread – $10

– (Kid’s) Cheese Pizza – $4

(With an “efun” account), pre-order, using program #4414556 – or just show up and have your card payment (or exact change) ready.

Also happening in the park this Friday, is “Movie Night”!

Details:

cost: FREE 

film: “Kung Fu Panda 4”

date: Friday August 30th, 2024

timing: 8pm – 9:45pm

location: Dufferin Grove Park – (bring blankets, pillows chairs, etc)

And a big thank you, to all of those who came out to support “Taco Night”! The last “Friday Night Supper”, (on August 23rd), was a big success – and we hope to do it again soon! (The artist here, is our very own Communications Coordinator, Lillian Carcao – such talent! 🙌)

Organic cherry tomatoes from Plan B Organics – yum!

Hooray for community! And thanks for making ours so special..

– Nicole 

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

Chris, of Bitter Better, talking to a market shopper about the many benefits of his tartary buckwheat products. They return to the market next week, September 5th.

VENDORS _ August 29th, 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

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.

Preserves & Specialty Items:

• Forbes Wild Foods
• Kalmplex Snax
• Sopsicles Toronto – last time of the season!
• Green Florin
• Pine & Ginga 
• Maizal Tortilleria
• Urban Harvest
• Casa Shrooms – monthly
• Mr Macaw Coffee – new!

Cidery/Brewery:

• Blood Brothers Brewing
• Laneway Distillery

“Extras”:

• Kitchen Swap – 3-6:30pm
• Toronto Public Library
• Greenpeace Canada
• Cycle Toronto
• Progress Toronto
• Musician – “Papalote”
• Face Painting by Isabel!
• Community Fridges

Nature’s Way Organics’ cucumbers – I’ll be so sad when they’re done for the season. So delicious!