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

Hello friends! And happy mid-month! July certainly is a sweet month, (many would argue.) And if the delicious cherries from Reyes Farms (in our feature photo), are any indication, then I fully concur!

Cherry tomatoes from Nith Valley Organics – thank you, summer!

And lots of other “sweet stuff” is happening this month – and at this week’s market in particular. So my apologies in advance – this newsletter may be a bit long. Oops! But honestly, there’s just so much to cover – and also, a bit of a “catchup” is necessary, since I missed writing to you fine folks last week. But it will be fun – there’s lots of pics! haha

A glorious “green bounty” from Sundance Harvest. And check out those snap peas – two for $8!!

Congratulations Nathan!

Yes, it’s true! If you haven’t guessed (or heard), the Klassen family, of Nith Valley Organics,  welcomed a brand new bundle of joy into their lives. Little Phillip, was born on June 30th, 2025. Thanks for sharing, Nathan – and again, congratulations! 🎉

“Camping” Anyone?
Even more breaking news! A theatre performance at this week’s market! It’s starting at 4:30pm, on Thursday, July 17th – and will last 40 minutes. And this  is of course, FREE of charge.

So why camping? Well it’s called “Camping Royale” – and from that pic, clearly, camping, is the first thing that comes to mind, right? (See a trailer here.)
So to let you know, this is being brought to us by “Corpus Dance Projects” – the wonderful folks who also did performances at last year’s market. (“Divine Interventions”, in July & August, 2024.)
And here’s your formal “invitation” for this year’s show, (from CORPUS), :
“Most loyal Farmers’ Market attendees, The theatre event of the season approaches! Join us for “Camping Royale“, a piece where Her Majesties, Queen Sophie-Charlotte and Queen Louise, come down from the castle and camp in the Grove. 
Your presence is requested on Thursday, the 17th of July at 4.30pm.
Spread your blankets underneath the trees by the picnic table grounds, (near the north oven, in the park), and enjoy this twisted fairytale for young and old. This royal spectacle will last 40 minutes, and is FREE for all.”
Presented by CORPUS. Questions? Reach out to corpusadmin@gmail.com  / @corpusdanceprojects
(see a trailer here.)

Repair Cafe Is Back!

At this week’s market, (July 17th, from 3-6pm), “come one, come all”! Get your household items repaired, free of charge, by this super-talented all-volunteer crew! Repair Café will do their best to fix what you have, (on the spot) – otherwise, they will arrange (with you), for a later pickup. They operate as a not-for-profit, so donations are always welcome.


Hooray For Libraries!

Looking for some good summer reading? Or perhaps information about what’s going on at your  local library? Well you’ll definitely not want to miss this week’s market. Our wonderful Toronto libraries have programs for all ages. And at Thursday’s market, (July 17th), library staff from Gladstone Public Library will be there to answer any questions you may have, along with having lots of “FREE library swag” to go around!

Adorable Meadow, and her little sister Honey, (right to left), “treated themselves” to some heat relief, with a delicious mango pop, from JiggyPopz – smart kids! 💜

Hanging out with the Plan B Organics crew. Rodrigo and Zappora (right), seem to have young Louella quite “intrigued”. Perhaps farming is in her future – you never know. We all started somewhere! 😂

Vendor Updates..
Full vendor list here.

Market layout for July 17, 2025 – full vendor list here.

Please be aware that Knuckle Down Farm is absent this week. Due to the (recent) extreme heat, Jenny says that she must now harvest her garlic. She will however, return next week.



We’ll miss you Jenny (pictured) – but we totally understand.


Also absent this week, is our much loved face-painter, Isabel. When I told Isabel how much we’d miss her, she reminded me that “don’t worry – next week comes fast!” Such a smart lady. 🙌

See you on the 24th, Isabel.

And great news – “tacoz” are back at the market! “Uno, Dos, Tacoz” returns this week – so bring your appetite! 

Our craft brewer this week, is Steadfast Brewing Co. Talk to Graham, about the incredible selections he’s bringing this Thursday.

And most of you are probably aware that we have a very talented poet, Marc Nair – how lucky we are! Well in addition to him being at this week’s market, Marc will also be at the “Big On Bloor Festival“, showcasing his talents there. So if you are around this weekend, please stop by for some “verses”. Marc tells me that he’ll be there on both Saturday and Sunday (July 19 & 20), from 2-7pm – (in front of) 1250 Bloor St West. 

Incredible field cucumbers from Aldergrove Farm – last week, just $1.50 each!

(At the same time), field cucumbers were $1.99 each, at “No Frills” (for the conventional variety.) And they did not look like these! So continuing to support local farmers (especially at community farmers’ markets), allows them to keep prices affordable and accessible, (as much as possible.) This further allows us (farmers’ market operators), to get even closer to our goal, of full economic inclusion.


Market Passports! Have You Gotten Yours Yet?

If you don’t have a farmers’ market passport yet, now’s the time! This is our summer/fall promo, and also a great way for you to get familiar, with other farmers’ markets around the city. And perhaps most importantly, to show support to our incredible local farmers – maybe you’ll even meet some new ones. Nothing wrong with that – “market moonlighting” is A-ok!
Pick up a passport this week, just $5, (or PWYC.) We’ll stamp your “Dufferin Grove page”, right on the spot! Thanks for helping us support our local economy – you are making a difference.

Fresh gourmet mushrooms from Noki Farms.

Sourdough selfies? Why not? That’s clearly how the crew of Robinson Bread felt. We recommend that you just eat it –  but hey, no judgements.

Incredible cheeses from Monforte Dairy – so much to choose from.



Park Programming Updates – New And Old..
In my last newsletter, I wrote about the return of: 1) Friday Night Suppers, 2) PizzaMaking (in the park), and 3) the Cob Cafe. Not to worry – these are all still happening! And again, these are all taking place in Dufferin Grove Park – and organized by the City of Toronto. 

And more great  news! In case you don’t get her emails, here’s some updates from Councilor Bravo, (dated July 8th, 2025):

• Clubhouse summer hours – extended to 9pm on weekends.
• Children’s summer camp is fully subscribed and in full swing.
• Park washrooms are now open daily from 9am to 10pm, water fountains have been activated, the wading pool is open, and skate park amenities have been assembled.
• Anew roof on the field house has been installed.
• Movie nights in the park are being coordinated for August –  details “coming soon”

A big thank you to Clay and Paper Theatre for the “chaos” they caused at last week’s market – what fun! This was all in support of the Garden Co-op at Dufferin Grove – and to promote the “Pollinator Parade & Pageant” fundraiser, that took place over the weekend, (July 13th.) A big thanks as well, to Skylar Hill-Jackson, for all of her hard work and dedication, to our community garden. You may have seen Skylar at last week’s market, set up at a fundraising table for the garden. Keep it going Skylar! 💜

Thanks everyone, your support means a lot. And see you Thursday. 😎

~ Nicole 

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

Kalmplex, of “Kalmplex Snax” – delicious dried fruit, with a hint of cayenne.

 Vendor List_July 17, 2025

Growers:

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

Meat, Fish & Dairy:

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

Eggs:

• Nith Valley Organics
• Kooner Farm

Bakery: 

• Johnson Family Bakery
• Robinson Bread

Prepared Foods:

• Estelle’s Caribbean Cuisine
• Tapioca Toronto 
• Magic Oven
• Uno, Dos, Tacoz!

Preserves & Specialties:

• Forbes Wild Foods 
• Kalmplex Snax (dried fruit)
• ChocoSol
• Jiggy POPZ 
• House of Tigernut

Brewery:

• Steadfast Brewing Co.

“Extras”:

• REPAIR CAFE!
• Live Theatre! (4:30pm)
• Toronto Public Library
• Community Fridges
• Flavour Harvest
• Poetry (with Marc)
• Music: “Papalote”
   

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


Hooray for Saskatoon berries! Did you know that these tasty gems were in “delicious assortment” right here in Dufferin Grove Park? Yes, it’s true – that lovely “saskatoon bush” is right by the bridge, in the market space, (near the wood shed.)
And I learned (“the yummy way”), that throughout late June to early July, market goers, like Sidney, and young Esme, (pictured here), could eat them, to their heart’s content. Thanks for pointing this out to me Sidney, (if you’re reading. 💜)