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.
It’s that time of year again. The kids are back in school, the leaves soon start to change colour, and the weather can’t decide if it should be over 20° or under 10° until after I’ve left the house! 😅
Delicious baked goods from Johnson Family Bakery.
One of my favourite parts of this changing season, is that apples are officially back in-season – and ripe for picking! Not everyone has the time in their busy day to head out apple-picking however. So it’s quite lucky that we have delicious apples at our market! I got to try Reyes Farms’ Ginger Gold apples (in our feature photo), last week, and they were an absolute delight! Makes me wonder how Golden Delicious beat them to the name “delicious”, but I digress… And in other “Reyes news”, cider! Yes, it’s true – Nacho tells me that his delicious apple cider is coming soon! (Hopefully for September 26th’s market.)
Plan B Organics was a-buzz with everyone looking for this week’s groceries, and with such gorgeous produce, could you blame ‘em? And that jar of kimchi Rodrigo is holding, is incredible as well. All made in their certified-organic, kitchen.
And if you just can’t get enough of the Plan B crew on market day, why not visit their farm this weekend, for their annual all-day music festival? Happening this coming Saturday, September 21, 2024.
*about (from the website):
“The TLALLI celebration is an opportunity to honour and thank the Earth as the main source of sustenance for both ancient civilizations and modern-day cultures around the planet. TLALLI means EARTH in the ancient Nahuatl language of the Mexica (meh-shi-ca) People.”
*location: 1377, 5th Concession Road West, Hamilton, ON
*cost: $70-85 (includes meal)
*Visit: www.tlallifestival.com, for more information.
Look at the size of this rutabaga from Nith Valley Organics — it was as big as Nathan’s head! Hooray for fall veggies!
Spanakopita, samosas (and more), from Magic Oven – yum!
Vendor News..
Full vendor list here. (And a reminder that Nature’s Way Organics is away this week, but returns on September 26th.)
First up, Repair Café will be at the market this week! Although they’re technically not a “vendor”, it’s definitely big “news” whenever they show up at Dufferin Grove! Especially since this coming Thursday (September 19th), will be their last visit of the season – don’t miss out! And remember: one item per person, and only between 3-6pm. Contact info@repaircafetoronto.ca, for more info.
Energy bites from Planticia Foods – last chance to get some!
Both Lapapampa (dried mango) and Planticia Foods, will each have their “last hurrah” (of the season), at this week’s market. You’ll definitely want to stock up!
Black Lab Brewing is also back at the market this week, (only here once per month.) Blood Brothers returns September 26th.
I’m not much of a coffee drinker myself, but this iced coffee (city staffer), Justin got from Mr Macaw’s Brazilian Coffee looked so goodddd! 😭 More available this week – and check out their many roasted varieties as well. 🙌
For those struggling to settle the age-old debate — Tuna vs Salmon — never fear! Fisherfolk had both at last week’s market. 😉
(Heads up – Fisherfolk are away next week, September 26th.)
Tried to sneak a photo but wasn’t sneaky enough! Here’s Michael and Natalie of House of Tigernut, talking about their amazing tigernut-based milk alternatives and granola. Sadly, they will be away from the market this week, because they’ll be participating in one of Canada’s largest trade shows for natural, organic and wellness consumer packaged goods – CHFA NOW 2024! (Being held September 21st and 22nd, at Exhibition Place.) Let’s wish them luck, as they pitch their “I can’t believe it’s not a nut”, products on the big stage! House of Tigernut returns on October 3rd, (to the market.)
A tasty galette from Robinson Bakery – the photo was taken by one of their own! And speaking of, at the beginning of the month, we started a poll to decide which dessert will appear on our vendor’s list (after Johnson Family Bakery’s challah won the vote for the bread). If you would like to participate in the poll, you can find it on our instagram by clicking this link!
Coming Soon…
Next week’s market (September 26th), is a chance to clean out (or add to), the kids’ closets, as another clothing swap for the “wee ones” is happening. And once again, it will close with an incredible sing-along, led by “the amazing Nash”! Bring what you can, take what you need – but one does not require the other. All are welcome, and all is free.
Congratulations Cheyenne!
Yes, it’s true! Congratulations (although bittersweet), are definitely in order for Cheyenne! And yes – that is her, in the photo. She is smiling, I promise! 🙂
So first, it does pain me to say that Sundance Harvest will be ending their season at Dufferin Grove, a bit early this year – September 26th, will be their last market of the season. So including this coming Thursday, that’s two more Thursdays that you can still enjoy the incredible offerings from Sundance. And now, these words from Cheyenne (along with these awesome pics), will explain why we can also be thrilled for her!
“As I just bought a farm in Mount Forest, I’m going to spend October preparing beds for the spring to get a head start on the season. I’ve got six unheated tunnels and one heated greenhouse to set up before the snow blankets the ground. Thanks to these tunnels, I’ll be able to have early greens again, early tulips and a longer growing season. I’ll be back earlier than usual, next year, and with a few new faces on the crew.” Sounds just incredible – I definitely plan to do a farm visit out there!
Celebrate Kalmplex’s Garden Gallery!
As many of you may already know, Kalmplex not only prepares incredible dried fruit, (with a hint of cayenne), each week for us, but he is also a very talented artist. And with that, Kalmplex is inviting us to the Geary Ave Art Crawl this coming weekend. Some details (from Kalmplex) about the event:
“An art installation that features live painting, gardening and chill vibes. A welcoming space that showcases Kalmplex’s artwork from paintings to garden vegetables grown over the summer. A space where you can learn about certain herbs and what they’re good for, and how easy it is to grow your own.”
*Dates: Saturday September 21st, 1pm-11pm and Sunday September 22nd, 1pm-8pm
*Location: Geary Ave – on the southwest side, just west of Dovercourt, (on the grass)
*Cost: FREE
*Socials: @kalmplex and @kalmplexsnax
HIghlights From Last Week…
Way to go Isabel! You may have seen our dedicated market volunteer, and super-talented face painter, Isabel, around the market, for the last couple of years. She’s been transforming many happy young faces into magical works of art, each week – including even some of the “not so young”. What fun!
Well last week, right here at the market, Isabel was presented with a special honour, by Toronto Police – pictured (above) with a well-deserved Certificate of Appreciation, for volunteering with 13 Division, at their recent community open house. Keep up the great work Isabel – we’re so lucky to have you! 💜
Super-talented “Fat Quarter” played some jazzy tunes at this week’s market, much to the delight of everyone!
Honey’s Ice Cream made their season debut last week – and what a response they received! So much so, that they can’t wait to return to Dufferin Grove! Look for them throughout the month of October. Their ice cream is 100% plant-based, and also 100% delicious – happy fall everyone!
If you’re looking for something delicious, savoury, and vegetarian, I would highly recommend these empanadas from Tapioca Toronto! They’ve got a cheesy blend of mushrooms and corn, that’s seasoned to perfection 🤤🤤
“Fall beauties” from Aldergrove Farm. So much more on the way!
That’s all from me for this week – thanks very much, for reading, and supporting local farmers!
– Lillian ✌🏻😘✌🏻
*every Thursday, 3-7pm – in Dufferin Grove Park (at the north-end)
Another happy shopper with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from Aldergrove Farm. So nice to still be able to get fresh flowers
VENDORS _ September 19th, 2024
Growers:
- Plan B Organics
- Nith Valley Organics
- Reyes Farms
- Aldergrove Farm
- Noki Farms
- Kooner Farm
- Sundance Harvest
- Knuckle Down Farm
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
- TC Tibetan Momos
Preserves & Specialty Items:
- Forbes Wild Foods
- Kalmplex Snax
- Jiggy Popz
- Green Florin
- Mr Macaw Coffee
- Lapapampa (dried mango) – last visit of the season!
- Planticia Foods – last visit of the season!
Brewery:
- Black Lab Brewing
- Heartwood Cidery – online only
“Extras”:
- REPAIR CAFE! (3-6PM)
- Greenpeace Canada
- Access Alliance (healthcare-related, not-for-profit)
- Musicians – “Rachel & Connie”
- Face Painting by Isabel!
- Community Fridges
Dave from Rogers Ranch, helping a customer pick from his many amazing cuts of grass-fed, non-GMO meats and eggs!