💚🌎 Happy Earth Day!! 🌎💚

written by Lillian Carcao,
Every Thursday, 3-7pm – at 875 Dufferin St
*full vendor list here

Welcome back, Dufferin Grovers! Including our “paper-mache Dufferin Grovers” – like this adorable, “celery-lover” from Plan B Organics. (In our feature photo )

This is Lillian bringing you “the news” this week – and I hope everyone had an amazing long weekend 🤗 Whether celebrating the holidays, spending time with your loved ones or even just having some extra “me-time”, these types of breaks are both refreshing and always feel way too short!

Incredible bok choy from Nith Valley Organics.

Reza, of Alma Bakery, sharing a sample of his tasty baklava with a Dufferin Grover. I’m getting hungry just writing about it!
 

Speaking of celebrating, it’s also “Earth Day” today!! (Tuesday April 22, 2025) This is the perfect time to reflect on how the everyday actions we take affect our planet – and what we can do to live more sustainably. Shopping for organic, locally-grown food from our wonderful Ontario farmers, is a great start – but you knew that!  


Dufferin Grove Market (and Market Manager, Nicole), were featured in the OCO’s (Organic Council of Ontario) “Earth Month Campaign”! 🥳

(Photo taken at the market, last August, 2024.)

I took this photo of Nathan, of Nith Valley Organics, back on February 27th, with the message “Vote for Farmers” (for the provincial election), written on the board behind him. It’s wild that just two months later, we’re back to the polls for another election!

And with Earth Day in mind, perhaps some of us are thinking of Election Day, (coming up on April 28th), even more. As the OCO explains:
“The upcoming election is a key opportunity to support candidates who prioritize sustainability, organic farming, and environmental protection. By voting, you help shape policies that promote a healthier, greener and more organic future.” Well said!

Nykole from Noki Farms, happily wrapping up some mushrooms for a curious Dufferin Grover. We see you – eyeing those amazing chestnut mushrooms.

Every movement starts with someone wanting change. Maybe that’s you. To quote philosopher, Edmund Burke: 
“Nobody made a greater mistake, than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.” So, even if it feels small, do what you can.



A Poem For Earth Day..

Our generous and brilliant poet (on-demand), also wrote “something earthy” for us to enjoy – thank you Marc! 
(From one sentence alone):
“Our arms are windmills, turning in gust, gale and gentle breeze, keeping lights on; generations hum, on faraway farms..” Please read on for more!

And please know that Marc has also been doing work with Toronto Public Library, running a photography and haiku series. It’s on from April 2-29, at the Albion branch. If you can get out there, please show your support! A few words from Marc:
“Some of you may know me as the poet with the typewriter at the weekly Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market – and if I have written a poem for any one of you, it has been my absolute pleasure. I am also a photographer and have paired photography and haiku for a new series of work, ‘shades of blue’, that is running from 2-29 April at the Albion branch of the TPL.” More info here: March Nair’s “Shades of Blue”, at TPL



New Vendor Alert!

Please get ready to welcome Hoian! They’ll be bringing us delicious nut butters – including peanut, hazelnut, almond and even pistachio butters! No added oils, sugar, or preservatives. A brief description from business owner, Serhi:
“We produce premium natural nut butters — no oil, no sugar, no additives. Just 100% nuts, roasted with our signature technique. Our product is organic, clean, and made with care. QUALITY is our principle.”

Link Haus returns this week, with gourmet sausage – available frozen, or grilled up hot and ready to eat! 🌭
 

Golden samosas from Magic Oven 😍

Along with delicious Caribbean foods, Estelle’s fresh juices, are also incredible. Mango is featured here, but look for other flavours like sorrel – yum! 😋🥤🧃

Be sure to ask Sabrina (of Fisherfolk), about her pan-fry, shrimp & haddock dumplings. A recipe developed by her mom!

Full vendor list here.



We See You, Kalmplex!

I overheard a conversation at the last market, between Kalmplex and a market shopper, who had just begun “introducing himself” to the amazing sweet, spiciness of “Kalmplex Snax“. 👀

Always fun to discover something new at the market. 
Kalmplex also wants us know about his upcoming photography showcase, at
this year’s Contact Photography Festival, (May 1-31, 2025.) Happening at 1213 Bathurst St, at “Space Unltd”. The opening reception is on Friday May 2nd, from 6-9pm.


Three Cheers for Volunteers!

Volunteers, like Danny (pictured behind Amanda), are a very important part of how the market operates. So, we’d like to send out a huge “Thank You” to the many volunteers who help keep us going. Also, did you notice “the resemblance”? Danny is actually Chuck’s son! (Owner of Johnson Family Bakery)
Send an email to: info@dufferingrovemarket.ca, if you’d like do some volunteering yourself. 😉


That’s all for now friends – thanks for reading!
~ Lillian 

The Evergreen Forest ‘Tea Tower’, from Forbes Wild Foods – go Seth, go! 

VENDORS_April 24, 2025
 

Growers:

• Plan B Organics
• Nith Valley Organics
• Noki Farms

Meat & Fish:

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

Eggs:

• Nith Valley Organics

Bakeries:

• Johnson Family Bakery 
• Alma Bakery

Prepared Foods:

• Magic Oven
• Estelle’s Caribbean Cuisine
• Link Haus 

Preserves & Specialty Items:

• Forbes Wild Foods
• Kalmplex Snax
• Hoian (nut butters) – brand new!

“Extras”:

• Poetry (with Marc) – only til 5:30pm
• Happy Earth Month!

Clay and Paper Theatre’s “Gaia”, the personification of Earth. She is currently hanging up inside the clubhouse (where the market is held for the winter season).