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

Hello friends, and happy month-end to you! Feeling less than thrilled about it? I get that! The end of August can for sure, be very bittersweet. And perhaps even more so this year, with labour day being right on September 1st – yikes! But hopefully you can uncover some sweet, along with the bitter. And I’ll try to “help you through” that, as I’ll (further on), emphasize foods coming from each of those flavour profiles.
The bitter melon (from Kooner Farms), for example in our feature photo, is a great place to start. And aren’t they pretty? But I’ll get to that.

Coronation grapes from Reyes Farms – super sweet, super delicious.

Fresh food selections from the Sundance Harvest stall. Talk to Cheyenne about the melons she brought last week – just incredible!


And Now The Bitter Melon..

As mentioned, Kooner Farm has these – and they’re packed with nutrients! If you haven’t tried them yet, why not grab a couple this week?

Nutrients:
In addition to vitamins A and C, bitter melon is rich in calcium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus. It’s also great for diabetics, and most other low-sugar diets.

Preparing Bitter Melon:
(As pictured), cut lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds. It can be eaten raw (on its own), or chopped up and then added to a salad. Adding to juices or smoothies, is also an option. For cooking, lots of choices – including pan-fry, stir-fry, or a delicious sauté. Fold in some tomatoes, garlic, and onions (if desired.) I even found a recipe adding bitter melon to scrambled eggs! So many choices! Where will you begin?
*Tip: to reduce “the bitter” (in the melon), quickly blanch it, before cooking. 

“Tutti Frutti Deep Red Desire Raisin” – yes, that is what these cherry tomatoes are actually called! Talk to Nathan, of Nith Valley Organics, if you think I made that up! 😂

But to let you know, they’re quite delicious – the perfect combination of tart and sweet.

Sweet (and savoury) pastries, from Robinson Bread.

Full vendor list here.

“Flavour Harvest’s” Last Visit! 

Yes folks, sad but true. August 28th, 2025, will be Flavour Harvest’s last time this season, at the Dufferin Grove Market.

Take a moment to stop by their stall, and take a “flavour journey”. Get tasty ideas on how to get the most, out of your fresh, market veggies. And they’ve always got plenty of delicious samples. There’s even still time for the “audio experience”! Be  sure to ask about it, if you haven’t yet tried.

Rodrigo and friends, at the Plan B Organics stall.

Golden beets from Nith Valley Organics.

Night Of Dread – Save The Date!

Yes, friends, look out for the Clay & Paper Theatre folks at the market this week, (and weeks coming) – to talk to you all about this year’s “Night of Dread”! The big day (this year), happens on Saturday October 25th, 2025.

Chestnut mushrooms from Noki Farm.

Vendor News
Full vendor list here.

First off, here are the unfortunate
Vendor Absences this week:
*Knuckle Down Farm
*Choco Sol
*Green Florin
*Kalmplex Snax
*Urban Harvest
*“Marc’s Poetry Dispensary” 

Market layout, for August 28, 2025 – (or click here.)

The delicious flavours of “Uno, Doz, Tacos” is back!

Steadfast Brewing Co is our craft brewer this week..
 
Some (additional) “extras” at the market this week:

1- Davenport Community Health Centre – to talk about free services they offer.

2- City of Toronto, (“Planning Division”) – “for an engagement on neighbourhood retail and service study, which makes it easier to create more businesses in neighbourhoods”. They will also hold virtual meetings in mid-September, 2025.

Doubles in “triple time”! 😂

Estelle, of Estelle’s Caribbean Cuisine, is here, serving up some of her delicious, and best-selling, doubles – yum!

Tasty sourdough, from Johnson Family Bakery.

Full vendor list here.
                    

Isabel, our talented and cheerful face painter, is also back this week. Feel free to bring the little ones for a “market makeover”.

“Pizza & Movie Night” – In The Park!

This week, instead of the usual “Friday Night Supper”, it will be “Pizza & Movie Night” instead – sounds fun! Friday August 29, 2025, 6-10pm – in the park, by the soccer field. And the movie is Toy Story!

$1 Basil! Yup – We Had That!

Were you there at the market, when Aldergrove Farm had this?  (Back on August 14, 2025.) If you hadn’t yet noticed, Aldergrove (from time to time), has “surprise sales” like this. Last month, I wrote about their cucumbers, and how they were priced lower than No Frills – and much better! Be sure to check in with them this week – so much great value. 


Will You Knit, With Melanie?

A couple of weeks ago, I met Melanie for the first time (at the market), as I complimented her on that beautiful pattern she’s holding (in the photo.)

Well she actually expressed to me that she’s interested in starting a knitting (and crocheting) circle – at the market! And that includes teaching as well. Melanie is happy to provide free instruction (to beginners.) Hooray for community building!

Send an email to: info@dufferingrovemarket.cac if you’d like to take part – but pre-registration will not be required. (Weather permitting), we’ll have a “trial run”, on September 4, 2025, 4-5:30pm – at the market.


Thanks OCO!

Last week (August 21, 2025), The Organic Council of Ontario did a pop-up at the market, answering questions about organics, (in our province.) And even gave away some swag! So great to have them at the market once again.
 
Thanks everyone – and happy long weekend.
~ Nicole 

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

Vendor List_August 28, 2025

Growers:

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

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!

Bakery: 

• Johnson Family Bakery
• Robinson Bread

Preserves & Specialties:

• Forbes Wild Foods
• Jiggy Popz
• Dento Dream Foods

Brewery:

• Steadfast Brewing Co

“Extras”:

• Clay & Paper Theatre!
• Davenport Community Health Centre
• City of Toronto – Planning Division 
• Parkdale Food Bank
• Flavour Harvest – last time!
• Face Painting (with Isabel)
• Music: “Papalote”
   

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

A happy pooch, just chillin’ at the market, and looking adorable. I’m ok with that! 💜