Fresh And Bountiful! 🙌

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

Hello marketeers! And happy August to you! And yes – at this week’s market, we’ll have lots of “fresh and bountiful” eats for you to choose from. Visit Aldergrove Farm this week (our feature photo), to take home a fresh bounty of your own. 

Is your closet overflowing? Or maybe “under-flowing”? Either way, this week’s clothing swap could be the solution. August 7th, 3-6pm.

Fresh nectarines, along with lots of other incredible fruit, available this week, from Reyes Farms – they’ve still got peaches too!

And more great news! It’s also “Farmers’ Market Week” in Ontario! (August 3–10, 2025.)  So have you shouted “hip, hip, hooray”, yet? Of course you have! haha

And if you get to the market early (“enough”), you can cheer even more! You guessed it – Kooner Farms will have fresh corn! But after speaking with (farmer) Indy, he says he’ll only have a “limited supply”. The issue, says Indy: “we need rain!” I’ll try to keep that in mind, the next time I complain about wet weather, (while still wanting all the farm-freshness, that I regularly get to enjoy.) Thank you, dear farmers! 💜

Nathan, of Nith Valley Organics, posing with one of his many fine cabbage varieties.

And regarding “Farmers’ Market Week” (August 3-10, 2025), if you’re not sure what it is, or why we should take notice, here’s what Farmers’ Markets Ontario had to say:
“Farmers’ Market Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the experience of shopping local, and supporting Ontario’s vibrant farmers’ markets. The month of August marks the height of the growing season—markets across the province are overflowing with fresh, local produce, handcrafted goods, and community spirit. This week is a prime opportunity to connect shoppers with the farmers, bakers, makers, and producers who work tirelessly to bring food from field to table.” So basically, if you’re coming to a farmers’ market, you’re “doing it right”!

Veggie selections from Knuckle Down Farm.

Hopefully some of what FMO summarized (on “Farmers’ Market Week”), resonated with you – but if not, please know that we’ll keep trying! For me, perhaps what most “drew me in”, is how community farmers’ markets (like Dufferin Grove), offer spaces of social connection, and economic inclusion. I think this is why, several times, (throughout the years), I would only purchase a single bunch of carrots, but still find myself staying for two hours+. Time well-spent.

Full vendor list here.

Special Performance at 4pm!

The folks at Clay and Paper Theatre will be doing a live performance of “The Machine”! If you can be at the market at 4pm (on August 7th), you’re in for a treat! 
Here’s how Tamara, (of C & P), describes it:
“Do you suffer from… Creativity? Arthritis? Denial? Loneliness? Whatever ails you in this modern world, The Machine can help! The Machine will set you free…
Catch THE MACHINE, a new street theatre show conceived and written by Clay and Paper Theatre Residency Artist, Daniel Sutherland and presented by the C&P Summer Company.”  
(August 7th, 4pm – at the market.)
 

Do You Know About Our Passports?

“Stamp your way” to farm-fresh food, while also “introducing yourself” to different communities throughout the city. Passports are available now, for only $5 (or PWYC.) And if you pick up one, this week (August 7th), or get your current one  stamped, you’ll automatically be entered for a special “Farmers’ Market Week Draw”! Visit the “info table” to purchase a passport, or for more information.

Vendor Updates..
Full vendor list here.

Market layout for August 7, 2025

If you’ve been missing them, both Jiggy Popz and Forbes Wild Foods are back!  

Piccolo Farm Organics also returns this week – with their fresh pasta, and incredible focaccia.

Also back this week:  TC Tibetan Momos, Saint Spore, Bitter Better and Casa Shrooms.

Our craft brewer this week, is Bickford Brewing.

Full vendor list here.

If you love “Terry’s Hummus”, you may want to pick up some this week – maybe two of them! Terry is on vacation after this week, and returning (to the market), on September 4th. Visit the Robinson Bread stall to get some.

Fisherfolk is also back this week.

Kalmplex Snax – try some of Kalmplex’s incredible dried fruit “snax” (with a hint of cayenne.)

Beautiful fresh flowers from Sundance Harvest.

Naughty Pets! What To Do?!

Longtime market-goer Helen, sent me this, about her cat, “Bobster”- and how he just loves egg cartons – but specifically from Nith Valley Organics! Can you blame him?
From Helen:
“The cat thrashes the bejeezus out of any carton, but savours the farm-fresh scents emanating from the Nith Valley ones. Discerning kitty.” Personally, I’m ok with that. 😂

Friday Night Supper
Happening this Friday, (August 8th), and every Friday – at 6pm. Just $7 a plate – both meat and vegetarian options available. (Menu changes, week to week.)

Poetry In The Park..
Many of you probably know of our super-talented poet (on-demand), Marc Nair. Last week, he wrote this poem for a market customer, and it was eventually shared with me. Marc writes, asking us to think about Dufferin Grove Park, as a “web of wonder, each space warm with its own song”. Wow. Visit Marc this week, and let him type up something just as amazing for you – within minutes. Just incredible.

Thanks for your support – you’re making all of this possible.
*every Thursday, 3-7pm – in Dufferin Grove Park
~ Nicole 

The “Roncy Jam Factory” had a great time, during their very first visit to Dufferin Grove last week. They thank everyone for such a warm welcome, and can’t wait to return next month – stay “tuned”. 🎵 

Vendor List_August 7, 2025

Growers:

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

Meat, Fish & Dairy:

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

Eggs:

• Nith Valley Organics

Bakery: 

• Johnson Family Bakery
• Robinson Bread

Prepared Foods:

• Estelle’s Caribbean Cuisine
• Tapioca Toronto 
• Magic Oven
• TC Tibetan Momos

Bakery: 

• Johnson Family Bakery
• Robinson Bread

Preserves & Specialties:

• Forbes Wild Foods
• Kalmplex Snax (dried fruit)
• Jiggy Popz
• Green Florin
• House of Tigernut
• PFO – fresh pasta & focaccia
• Bitter Better
• Casa Shrooms
• Saint Spore

Brewery:

• Bickford Brewing

“Extras”:

• Clothing Swap!
• The Machine – Clay & Paper Theatre
• Progress Toronto
• Community Fridges
• Flavour Harvest
• Poetry (with Marc)
• Music: Richard Underhill
   

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


Hard-working bees, just “doing their thing” – can you spot them here? Either way, nice that they’re still buzzing around – ultimately helping to ensure that we are all fed. 🐝💜💜

(Taken on August 4th, 2025 – just in front of the clubhouse, at Dufferin Grove Park.)