written by Nicole Jacobs
Market operates Thursdays, 3-7pm, 
in Dufferin Grove Park 
*full vendor list here

Hello friends! And what a month we’re in! Many (in this part of the world), see June as the “kick-off” to the fresh food season. But either way, this week in June, is particularly special. Pollinator Week, Public Markets Week, and Summer Solstice – all in the same week!
(Feature photo: “Canterbury bells” from Aldergrove Farm– simply magnificent, if I may say.)

Young David of Nith Valley Organics, “strikes again”! Surely he’s the winner of the “most adorable junior farmer” award? Either way, that is some massive bok choy!

Customers hanging out, last week, waiting for some delicious momos from TC Tibetan Momos – definitely worth the wait, I’m sure!

At Last – “Repair Cafe” Returns!

Now before I delve into all the wonderful food and plant stuff, I must first mention that Repair Cafe is back at the market this week!!! 

This is their first market for 2025, (at Dufferin Grove.) So if you have things in need of repair, bring them on by. All services are free of charge, but donations are greatly appreciated. They are at the market between 3-6pm only, (June 19th.) Repair Cafe will fix various household items, including small appliances and electronics – and much more!

And now let’s talk about Pollinator Week! (June 16 – 22, 2025.) Such a great time to celebrate things that grow, (and eventually end up on our plates.)  It’s also certainly a time to celebrate our beautiful buzzing creatures, for their crucial role in plant reproduction – essentially, bees help to feed us! But you knew that. 🙂
However, there are many other “pollinator facts” that may be new to you. Feel free to check out this fun facts sheet, on pollinator.org.
 

Mathew, of Kooner Farms, holding some incredible spring radish – great pose Matthew! 

 Workshop Alert!

This Thursday, June 19th, at 4:30pm, join Danielle Marcos of Earthstar Botanicals, for a free workshop in honour of pollinator week. Come for the trivia games – stay for the plant giveaways!
 

Danielle (pictured), has been a part of the market community for some time, and you may have even seen her setup at the market last week, selling her native plants and essential oils. And here’s what Danielle wants you to know, about the workshop:

“This Thursday, June 19 at 4:30pm, take part in a FREE Pollinator Workshop, in honour of Pollinator Week. Learn about pollinators – how we depend on them, why they need our help, and what you can do. This workshop, led by Danielle Marcos of Earthstar Botanicals, will include trivia, games, a Native Plant Giveaway – and info on how to participate in the “Pollinator Week Bioblitz” on iNaturalist.”
The workshop will be set up on the grass area, across from the wood oven. But please visit the market info table, if you cannot find it. 

Essential oils and teas, from Earthstar Botanicals.


Get To Know Our Garden!

If you didn’t know, there’s an incredible community garden in our park, and you can learn more about it, at this week’s market.

Community advocate, and longtime caregiver of the garden, Skylar, will have a table set up, with information about how you can get involved – or just simply learn about what grows there. And you can maybe even pick up a plant or two! Skylar is always happy to welcome new volunteers – visit her table this week to learn more.

Joanne (pictured here), has been volunteering in the garden for some time now. Incidentally, Joanne has also helped out at the farmers’ market, from time to time – what a gal! But also, you could be doing this too! 
 

Busy times at the Reyes Farms stall – hooray for yummy samples!

Cheers To Public Markets!

Yes indeed – “Public Markets Week” in Toronto, takes place from June 15 – 21, 2025. And if you’re not sure what that means, here’s how MarketCity TO describes it:
“Public Markets Week recognizes the essential role markets play, in strengthening neighbourhood vitality, access to local goods and services and small business growth. Throughout Public Markets Week, Torontonians are encouraged to visit their local markets including farmers’ markets, shipping container markets, flea and vintage markets, Indigenous-led specialty markets and community fresh food markets, and to celebrate the diversity of food, goods and stories found across Toronto’s neighbourhoods.”
Click here for the schedule, presented by MarketCity TO, and discover Fun ways to “love local”!
And included in this year’s lineup, is a panel discussion on the incredible Value of Public Markets. That’s happening this Saturday, June 21st, 10 – 11am, at St Lawrence Market. And guess who’s been asked to take part? Yes, it’s true! I will be there, on the panel (with other market managers), and representing our wonderful Dufferin Grove Community. Please come out and support, if you’re able – such a great way to start the first (full day) of summer! Summer Solstice officially takes place on Friday June 20, 2025 – at 10:41pm.

Me, shamelessly posing as “besties” with Mayor, Olivia Chow, at a baseball game in Christie Pits last month. Thankfully, she was a good sport about it – (no pun intended. 😂) Taken on May 11, 2025.

And here’s a great quote from our mayor, (on supporting public markets):
“Shopping at public markets is a perfect way to Love Local. Toronto’s diverse markets have long been vital venues where small, local entrepreneurs grow sustainable businesses rooted in community. By supporting our public markets, we’re supporting local jobs, culture and the resilience of our city’s economy.”   – Mayor Olivia Chow  

Nykole, of Noki Farms – always finding new ways to make fungus look fabulous. We see you, Nykole!

Vendor News..
Full vendor list here.

Brand new vendors this week:
1) Vander Heyden Farms. VHF offers organic, 100% grass-fed, grass-finished, regeneratively-farmed beef from Ontario. They regret having missed last week (as planned) – was due to a staff shortage.
2) Bickford Brewing is our beer vendor this week.

Returning vendors (first of the season):
1) Sopsicles Toronto returns to Dufferin Grove this week – Jiggy Popz is back next week.

2) House of Tigernut is also back this week

3) Community Fridges also starts back this week – please make a food donation (purchased at the market), if you can.
 

Vendor layout for June 19th, 2025.

Full vendor list here.

Asparagus & cheese galette, from Robinson Bread. 

First beer of the year! Steadfast Brewing Co had their first market with us, and was thrilled with the response – they’re back on July 17th.

Thanks everyone, hope you’re enjoying the last few days of spring – and see you at the market..
~ Nicole

The music of Andrea Kuzmich, added a nice “Thursday afternoon vibe” for market shoppers last week. This week we’ll be enjoying the Latin sounds of “Papalote”. 

Vendor List_June 19, 2025

Growers:

• Plan B Organics
• Nith Valley Organics
• Noki Farms
• Reyes Farms
• Knuckle Down Farms
• Urban Harvest
• Sundance Harvest
• Aldergrove Farm
• Kooner Farm

Meat, Fish & Dairy:

• Vander Heyden Farm
• First Fish
• Monforte Dairy
• Nith Valley (lamb & chicken)

Eggs:

• Nith Valley Organics
• Sundance Harvest
• Kooner Farm

Bakery: 

• Johnson Family Bakery
• Robinson Bread

Prepared Foods:

• Estelle’s Caribbean Cuisine
• Tapioca Toronto 
• Magic Oven

Preserves & Specialties:

• Forbes Wild Foods 
• Kalmplex Snax (dried fruit)
• ChocoSol
• Sopsicles Toronto
• Green Florin (nuts & seeds)
• Bitter Better (HTP buckwheat)
• Dento Dream Foods (kimchi)
• House of Tigernut

Brewery:

• Bickford Brewing Co.

“Extras”:

• Repair Cafe!
• Pollinator Workshop!
• Community Fridges
• Flavour Harvest
• Poetry (with Marc)
• Face Painting  (with Isabel)
• “Papalote”

*Every Thursday, 3-7pm – in Dufferin Grove Park

Meet Laura, (right) – fellow market manager (of Withrow Farmers’ Market.) She popped by Dufferin Grove last Thursday, for a visit, and was delighted with the positive community vibes and delicious food – yahoo!