written by Nicole Jacobs, Market Manager
Market operates Thursdays, 3-7pm, at 875 Dufferin St
full vendor list here
*featured squash are from Aldergrove Farm
Yes indeed – three is definitely a good number! Especially given that there are still three (outdoor) markets left. And trust me, (if you can help it), you won’t want to miss any! But please know that even after “the last three”, there’s more! “Market Thursdays” will continue through the winter! 🙌
Incredible cauliflower from Kooner Farm.
This Halloween, (October 31st), will wrap up the (outdoor) season. And shopping in-costume, is totally allowed – that day, or any day! 💜 Should I just make it mandatory then? haha
A gorgeous array of fall peppers, from Knuckle Down Farm – why not try every colour? 🤩
So (once again), the Dufferin Grove Market goes all year round. Many of you already knew that, but if you didn’t, feel free to start making your “winter plans” now! The “indoor move” begins November 7th – to the clubhouse building (still at 875 Dufferin St.) However, (weather permitting), you may see some vendors choosing to remain outside – but in the courtyard, on the east side of the building. Questions? Please feel free to contact us: info@dufferingrovemarket.ca.
And as a final “FYI”, please know that our (two-week) holiday break will be on December 26th, and January 2nd, 2025. Ok, there you have it! (And please feel free to pass this on. 🙏)
Clothing Swap This Week!
Yes folks – another fun and fabulous clothing swap is happening this Thursday, October 17th. Some of you may remember the clothing swap we had back in July, organized by Ana, (who also volunteers with Community Fridges! 💜) In addition to the clothing swap, Ana also offered a free tote-design workshop, where materials were provided – and she’ll be offering that again! (Just bring your own tote – or any item of clothing, you’d like to do designs on.) And of course, if you have clothing that you’d like to donate, please feel free – (adult clothes only.) And as per usual, bringing something is not required, to take something away.
This (Pioppino mushroom) , from Noki Farms, is a mushroom that business owner, Nykole says they’ve only recently started growing – last week was in fact, the first time she brought it to the market! And here’s some more info I got from Nykole when I asked, “anything folks should know”?
About the Pioppino:
“A really cool texture to them – firm but not dense, if that makes sense? They’ve also got this beautiful flavour that’s bready and sweet and nutty, with almost a hint of chocolate tucked in.” Wow – can’t wait to give these a try!
If you don’t recognize this lovely face, all is forgiven! This is Aleta Klassen, of Nith Valley Organics, (Nathan’s wife.) She has come to the market before on occasion, but is definitely not there every week. Well last week, Aleta “gifted us” with a surprise visit – so shoppers got to meet the other half of this amazing “farming power couple”! haha
Great to have you at Dufferin again Aleta! 💜
Hooray for “smiling fisherfolk”! Awesome Sabrina is seen here, showcasing the fine seafood selections of Fisherfolk – yippee!
Hardworking Ruth, of Monforte Dairy, seen here, talking to customers about her incredible cheeses (from Stratford, Ontario.) Ask her about “Hot Cow” – yup, that’s one of the cheeses she carries!
Top-quality, organic-fed meats from Rogers Ranch.
Vendor News..
Full vendor list here. And once again, the market stays fully outdoors until October 31st. 🎃 Then we move indoors on November 7th.
First, with sadness, I report that Forbes Wild Foods will be away this week, but returns on October 24th.
But also – yay! This week, we’ll have three pop-ups at the market! Get ready to welcome “Sharbat Vitality” (beverages), and “Piccolo Farm Organics (PFO)”, (bringing their fresh pasta, sauces and focaccia) – and big a welcome back to Kawartha Broom Company!
From “Sharbat Vitality” business owner, Sol:
“My name is Sol Farahmand and I’m on a mission to inspire individuals to prioritize their mental health through my artisan elixirs. I was inspired by my favourite childhood beverage called sharbat (شربت) – a beverage with Middle Eastern roots that’s powered by distilled floral pedals like rosewater for their mental health benefits. I decided to make an artisan elixir that is both delicious and nutritious for the mind and body. It had to be low in sugar, with natural organic ingredients, and be in recyclable packaging. This ready-to-drink beverage contains prebiotics, rosewater, omega 3, and electrolytes – and provides energy without caffeine. It is batch-brewed in Oakville, with love.”
From “PFO” business owner, Steve:
“My name is Steve D’Alimonte, and I’m the owner/operator of Piccolo Farm Organics (PFO). PFO started in 2021 by selling Italian vegetable varieties/vegetables commonly used in Italian cuisine (including various salad greens, herbs, tomatoes, garlic, onion and chili peppers, to name a few). PFO has since evolved into becoming a “value-added farm” where, in addition to our veggies, we also incorporate our crops into several prepared food items including spinach-infused pasta, sauces and pestos (basil, arugula and fennel) – as well as focaccia bread.”
Some of you may remember Kawartha Broom Company coming to the market since before the pandemic. (If I’m not mistaken), they began with Dufferin Grove back in 2018. Business owners Mary and Bob, will this time, even have witch brooms – just in time for Halloween!
About Kawartha, (from their webpage):
“Bob Miller began to learn the craft of broom making over 30 years ago in the Appalachians, and was immediately drawn to this craft. Bob now handcrafts his brooms in his broom shop, in Kirkfield, Ontario. Bob’s goal is to achieve a unique broom that is beautiful and is meant to be used. At the Kawartha Broom Co, special efforts are made to integrate broomcorn from local Ontario farmers. We are also now growing our own broomcorn.”
Let’s Keep On Giving!
Community Fridges Toronto (pictured above), thanks everyone for the support they’ve been receiving each week. However, with food insecurity affecting so many within our community (and beyond), your support is continually needed. Please consider adding Community Fridges to your “market shopping list” – even if it’s just $5 each week. Whatever you can give, will be much appreciated.
And even though “our” Thanksgiving has passed, food donations are still very much needed. This is the last week to bring shelf-stable food items, for the “St Mary’s Thanksgiving Food Drive”. Donation bins will be set up at the market. But if you don’t see them, please ask, (at the market’s info table.)
Have You Met Marc?
If you didn’t know, you can also get poetry at the market! You may have seen the very talented Marc Nair, and his “Typewriter Poetry on-demand” table set up at the market each week – (beside our face-painter, Isabel.) About Marc:
“I am a poet who has recently migrated from Singapore. One of the things I used to do in Singapore was poetry pop-ups, where I’d write a personalized poem on demand. The average turnaround for a poem is around 10 mins (including a short chat with the patron).”
Please take a moment to stop by and “talk verses” with him. Also – to let you know, Marc (and I) are hoping he’ll do some poetry workshops later this season. Stay tuned!
Last Week’s Highlights..
Last week, (in conjunction with Ontario Agriculture Week), we had a special visit from OCO, (Organic Council of Ontario.) Some of you picked up one of their snazzy, OCO-branded, reusable bags, while some of you asked really intelligent questions. All the same, our market got a “glowing report” from Sarah Devine, of OCO, (pictured above.) “Your market has some really smart shoppers Nicole!”, (said Sarah.) “Thanks everyone!” (says me.) haha
(OCO is hoping to do another pop-up, sometime in November.)
“Papalote” were once again, our musicians last week – and what a response they received! Band leader, Larry (far left), says he just loves playing at our market. From Larry, (on Dufferin Grove): “The people dance, they enjoy, they stay – our guys love that!” Again, thanks everyone! And if you happened to miss this incredible Cuban-music quartet, worry not – they will for sure, be back!
Delicious ice cream pops, from Honey’s Ice Cream – available til the end of the month!
Thanks for reading – and see you Thursday. xo
– Nicole
*every Thursday, 3-7pm – in Dufferin Grove Park (at the north-end)
Delicious noodles (with veggies), and a hint of chili oil – from TC Tibetan Momos – back at the market this week.
VENDORS _October 17th, 2024
Growers:
- Plan B Organics
- Nith Valley Organics
- Reyes Farm
- Aldergrove Farm
- Noki Farm
- Kooner Farm
- 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
- TC Tibetan Momos
Preserves & Specialty Items:
- Kalmplex Snax
- Green Florin
- Honey’s Ice Cream
- House of Tigernut
- Bitter Better
- Mr Macaw Coffee
- Sharbat Vitality – new!
- PFO, (organic fresh pastas) – new!
- Kawartha Brooms
Cidery/Brewery/Distillery:
- Blood Brothers Brewing
- Heartwood Cidery – online only
“Extras”:
- CLOTHING SWAP!
- Greenpeace Canada
- Musician – “Patrick O’Neill”, (accordionist)
- Poetry “on demand” – with Marc!
- Face Painting – with Isabel!
- CFTO – Community Fridges
Hot apple cider (from Reyes Farms) will once again be available (as a market fundraiser.) And thanks so much to all those who bought a $2 cup last week. 💜