written by Nicole Jacobs, Market Manager
Market operates Thursdays, 3-7pm, at 875 Dufferin St
*full vendor list here.
It was somewhat difficult for me to limit myself to just one specific thing, when it came to (writing about) the beauty of the harvest. But perhaps that’s something one might call a “happy problem.” And yes, it probably seems obvious – “just write about the food!” We are talking about a farmers’ market, right? Yes, for sure. And I definitely will get to that! haha. But the harvest also brings about so much visible beauty as well – (particularly within the space of nature.) It’s hard to ignore that our farmers’ market operates within the space of a magnificent Toronto park.
(Our feature photo is of Plan B Organics.)
I’m cheating a bit here. This is a picture of our beautiful park, from last October (2023) – just couldn’t resist using it again!
Harvest is also a great time for planting. As we are now at the tail-end of garlic week in Ontario, perhaps many of you are gearing up for fall planting – including garlic. And speaking of, as I ventured through the Toronto Garlic Festival this past Sunday, (September 28th), I certainly got an earful of information on “how to’s” of garlic planting – in addition to feasting on some of the most incredible garlic varieties around! They really made having “garlic breath” worth it!
Daniel of The Cutting Veg, with his amazing garlic – he returns to the market on October 24th.
Massive broccoli from Kooner Farm. Jenny, of Knuckle Down Farm (featured on the right)
So yes, whatever type of beauty you choose to focus on, during this amazing time of year, hopefully you’ll find some of it at this week’s farmers’ market. 💜
Kitchen Swap This Week!
One thing you definitely will find at this week’s market, is a Kitchen Swap! October 3rd, 3-6:30pm. And if you missed out on the last one (held on August 29th), or are just unsure of what this actually means, here’s the “main ingredients”:
*Like a clothing swap, clean, and gently used, kitchen items can be dropped off (between now and October 3rd, 2024, at the Dufferin Grove Clubhouse – at 875 Dufferin St
*this includes small appliances, pots and pans, tableware, knives and utensils
*no need to drop something off, in order to take away – and of course, everything is free
*leftover items will be donated to Adam House, in support of their “Walk with Refugees” fundraiser, (happening October 5th, 2024)
*cash donations will also be accepted at the swap, (to be shared with Adam House)
*volunteers, (wanting to help with the swap), are always welcome! email: info@dufferingrovemarket.ca
Get Ready for Night of Dread!
Also happening this week at the market, is the “Night of Dread Festival Opening” being put on by Clay & Paper Theatre. Here are some details from Tamara Romanchuk (all happening at this Thursday’s market):
- Join us for the shadow show, “The Werewolf”, created and performed by Kristine White with live musical accompaniment – three ten-minute performances, from 4:00 to 4:15pm, 5:00 to 5:15pm and 6:00 to 6:15pm. Audience members are welcomed into the shadow tent, for a haunting tale.
- Enjoy New Orleans swing from Laurent Humeau and his trio
- We’re also bringing back our “Night of Dread” Lantern-Making kit for $25 – onsite payment will be available, or donate directly to CanadaHelps
- Most importantly, come and share your fears with us – write them down on a piece of paper, and feed them to the Fear Catcher! (pictured above)
- Lastly, check out the dates and times for upcoming Lantern Making and Shrine Building Workshops: https://clayandpapertheatre.org/2024/09/23/workshops-3/
- For festival details, including how to volunteer, visit our Night of Dread website
“Chanterelle” mushrooms, from Forbes Wild Foods.
“Smiling Terry” posing with some olive fougasse, from Robinson Bread – goes great with Terry’s delicious hummus!
Vendor News..
Full vendor list here.
So first, to let everyone know, the market stays fully outdoors until October 31st. 🎃 So (including this Thursday), that’s five more markets (in our current location.) We will then move to the courtyard, on the east-side of the clubhouse – with some vendors possibly being inside, (and eventually being fully inside.) The last market of this year will be December 19th – and then the holiday break. There will be no markets on December 26th, 2024, or January 2, 2025. We will return from holiday break on January 9, 2025.
And now back to vendor info. Starting with some great news! Both Reyes Farm, and Fisherfolk will be back at the market this week. But also a gentle reminder that both Jiggy Popz and Sundance Harvest ended their season last week. However, they will both be back next year!
And (as previously mentioned), Honey’s Ice Cream will be around (starting October 10th.)
Nathan, of Nith Valley Organics, tells me that he’ll once again have fresh chicken and fresh lamb this week. And with Thanksgiving fast-approaching, he is also taking pre-orders for turkeys. Contact: info@nithvalleyorganics.ca.
Multiple varieties of microgreens available from Noki Farm – in addition to their gourmet mushrooms.
Chris of Bitter Better, with co-owner, Tammy, just “hiding” behind him.
Organic, fair-trade coffee, from Mr Macaw, is back at the market this week.
TC Tibetan Momos is our bi-weekly vendor this week. Full vendor list here.
Please Remember Community Fridges..
Just a small reminder as you’re shopping through the market, that Community Fridges Toronto (CFTO), is set up each week, and kindly needs your support. This is a volunteer-run organization that is doing amazing work with getting fresh food out to those in need. They remind us that “food is a right – and that everyone deserves access to safe and healthy food.” So If you’re able to make an extra purchase, that you can leave at their table, it will be much appreciated. The volunteers of CFTO say that “even one carrot or one pear, is useful.” And special thanks to Ellen Manney, who asked me to include a note about this in the newsletter. 💜
“Community Board”..
This past Sunday afternoon in the park (September 29th), we held a Community Harvest Veggie Roast, where all were invited to take part in. I also purchased veggies from market vendors (on the Thursday before), to share with anyone who may not have remembered to bring their own. The tray of sweet potatoes that Erin George (top left), sliced up for me, were from Nature’s Way Organics. Accompanied with garlic from “The Cutting Veg”, and dried thyme from Plan B Organics, boy were they yummy! City staffer, Vijay (bottom left), also helped out – assisting these lovely youngsters in taking part in the festivities. Hopefully we can do it again soon!
Note About Accessibility..
Many of us, (including myself), can sometimes unknowingly take “movement with ease” for granted. So it’s really good that we have community members who can help in “keeping us honest”. And with that, Jutta Mason, asked me to include this very important note, which highlights the importance of improving accessibility in public spaces – especially farmers’ markets.
From Jutta:
“The “seniors-bubble”, resulting from the post-second-world-war recovery, is here! But we’re not ready to stay in our rocking chairs yet. One reason might be the good food some of us have been getting from the farmers’ market, since it started over 20 years ago. Even so, we older healthy-local-food eaters are learning first-hand, what people of any age — with arthritis, or vertigo, or limited vision, or low energy etc. — have been saying for a long time: there are a lot of barriers to getting around – even if there’s no wheelchair involved. So it seems like a good time to see how accommodating the Parks and Rec division (which rents out the space for the farmers’ market) can be. Providing more places for market-goers to sit down for a break (in between loading up with farm produce or while catching up with neighbours) is a good start. Access to shopping buggies to lighten the load is another. Rec staff’s attentiveness to who needs a helping hand is a third. Hopefully some accessibility lobbying will make the market work even better, for more people, than it already does. Stay tuned.” Thanks Jutta!
Last Week’s Highlights..
The clothing swap, followed by the sing-along with Nash, was just incredible! A big thanks to all those who helped out!
Our new musician last week was just phenomenal! Miriyam, our steelpan player, was at the market for the first time, and was very well-received! She said she just “loved the vibe of Dufferin Grove”, and hopes to soon return. 🙌
Thanks everyone – and “Happy October”!
– Nicole
*every Thursday, 3-7pm – in Dufferin Grove Park (at the north-end)
VENDORS _October 3rd, 2024
Growers:
- Plan B Organics
- Nith Valley Organics
- Reyes Farms
- Aldergrove Farm
- Noki Farms
- Kooner Farm
- Knuckle Down Farm
- Nature’s Way Organics
Meat, Fish & Dairy:
- Rogers Ranch
- Nith Valley Organics (FRESH 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
- Green Florin
- House of Tigernut
- Bitter Better
- Mr Macaw Coffee
Cidery/Brewery/Distillery:
- Blood Brothers Brewing
- Heartwood Cidery – online only
“Extras”:
- Kitchen Swap
- Musician and “special entertainment” – “Clay & Paper Theatre”!
- Face Painting by Isabel!
- Community Fridges
The incredible Nash, with hand-held puppets, at last week’s market, (September 26th.)