Help Us Welcome Spring 2025! 🌷

written by Nicole Jacobs,
Market Manager
Market operates Thursdays, 3-7pm, 
INDOORS, at 875 Dufferin St 
*full vendor list here

Last week (if you recall), I mentioned that “spring’s a-coming”. And now, here it is! (Just about. 😉) This year’s spring equinox takes place on Thursday, March 20th, (at 5:01am) – which is also market day! And the good news is that thankfully, you don’t have to wake up quite that early, to catch the first market of spring – anytime between 3-7pm, (on Thursday), is fine with us! Hope to see you there. 💜

Veggie selections from Nith Valley Organics 
 

And as we continue to enjoy the longer hours of sunlight that accompany spring, we can also savour the knowledge of what lies ahead. Spring promises a wonderful, farm-fresh bounty (in the coming months.)  And if that’s not enough, how about spring flowers?!

Over the last week or two, I connected with some of our (seasonal) growers, and believe me – good things are coming! 
 

A “sneak peek” into one of the greenhouses of Plan B Organics. Farmer, (Rodrigo) shares his knowledge, with “the next generation”. 💜

Since You Asked..

And speaking of “what’s to come”, some of you have asked about our outdoor/summer schedule. Yay! Less than a month ago, that all seemed so far away – that really was an epic amount of show! 😅
Ok, so here’s what I can share (right now), regarding our “outdoor timeline”:
 

1- This year’s outdoor season officially starts on May 22nd, and goes until October 30th. That is when we are to be “on the grass”, facing west, (closer to Dufferin St.)

2- If we get a “summer-like” spring, we could gradually move outdoors sooner (into the courtyard – not on the grass.) This could happen in April and early May – (depending on how warm it gets.)

3- Outdoor vendors? This will be communicated (fully) in the coming weeks. But thankfully, much of the same vendors (from last year), will be returning. (With a few exceptions.) And some new vendors will also be joining us – please stay tuned!

Fresh parsley! Still available every week, from Nith Valley Organics – incredible. 

Sweet potatoes from Plan B Organics

Vendor News..

Full vendor list here.
This week, (as promised) Green Florin returns to the market!! Yes, it‘s true – “the amazing Vasile” will be back! Along with his incredible selection of nuts, seeds, oils, and preserves. Be there this week, to give Vasile a warm “welcome back”.

Also back this week is ChocoSol! David, will once again have delicious, organic chocolate, along with hot (and cold) coffee. Cheers to that! 💪

And a final “hooray, you’re back!”, can go to Colette, (of Urban Harvest), this week. So if you’re wanting to “get planting”, be sure to talk to her!

Full vendor list here.

In case you “don’t have time” to head up to Georgian Bay, and go fishing for yourself, visit Sabrina, of Fisherfolk, to pick up a FRESH, whole, trout of your own! (Maybe she’ll even put on those awesome sunglasses for you. 😂)

Gourmet mushrooms from Noki Farms. The camera clearly loves these!  Your belly will too. 💜Talk to Nykole, about the different varieties she brings each week – along with her microgreens! 🙌

A “breakfast staple” for me – and so much more! Maple syrup, from Forbes Wild Foods – whether on pancakes, oatmeal, or granola, as well as in lots of baking options, (the list goes on and on.) If ever I’m running low on this stuff, immediate panic comes over me. Maybe you can relate?
 

Amanda, of Johnson Family Bakery, continues to be “in her sourdough era” – and owning it💪

Dinner Options – Covered!

If you find yourself “getting lost” in the organic euphoria when you’re at the Dufferin Grove Market, we get it! Local, fresh, food along with community bliss – and all surrounded by a beautiful urban park. Like how could you not lose track of time? Well if this does happen to you on Thursday, and you then need a quick dinner fix, worry not! Our (prepared food) vendors have lots of delicious choices – eat it hot and fresh, at the market, or take it home, and savour it there. 

Take your pick from Magic Oven – spanakopitas, burritos, samosas (and much more!)

Grilled  sausage from LinkHaus – served with a side of crisp kettle chips

 

Chow mien, with veggies, from Estelle’s Caribbean Cuisine – come early to get some of this!
 

Hooray for spring! Tell us what you’re most excited about, at this week’s market. 💜
See you Thursday,
-Nicole

“This and that”, perhaps? Lillian, put these market items together, (and also took the photo.) Maybe these are some of the foods she’d pack, if she were going on a picnic – yum!

VENDORS_March 20, 2025
 

Growers:

• Plan B Organics
• Nith Valley Organics
• Noki Farms

Meat & Fish:

• Link Haus (gourmet sausage)
• Fisherfolk
• Nith Valley Organics (lamb & chicken)

Eggs:

• Nith Valley Organics

Bakery:

• Johnson Family Bakery 

Prepared Foods:

• Magic Oven
• Estelle’s Caribbean Cuisine
• Link Haus (grilled sausage & chips)

Preserves & Specialty Items:

• Forbes Wild Foods
• Kalmplex Snax
• Urban Harvest
• ChocoSol
• Green Florin – welcome back!
   

“Extras”:
*Poetry (with Marc) 📜- only til 5:30pm
*Women’s History Month 🌸

*Happy Spring! ☀️

Wonderful volunteers (like Quinn and Kaytlin), continue to make our market even more special. 💜