No Fiddleheads, but Plenty of Tales
May 31, 2020
Hello Market Friends: Over the years, many people have suggested that there should be a compilation of Dufferin market stories, including tales of happiness and woe from the farms, accounts of the small dramas that unfold behind the scenes and the unpredictable things that happen during market hours, and especially portraits of the many characters that make up our cast of customers, vendors, staff and volunteers. If there were such a book, last week would provide material for a fat chapter! We were all set up to offer replacements for the... Read More
Spring Celebration News
May 24, 2020
Hello Market Friends: Maybe your home is better organized than ours. We haven’t gotten round to packing away our woolies yet, and now we’re searching for our shorts. In classic Toronto style, a week after griping about the cold, we are starting to complain that it’s too hot. But let’s pause to celebrate this glorious time of year. Have the blossoms ever been more beautiful? And the lean season for local food is officially over! Among many new items coming in from our producers, Liz Foers of Essa Seedlings is offering... Read More
Market News for the week of May 21st
May 17, 2020
Hello Market Friends: Finally, some warmth! The recent frost may have damaged some fruit and berry blossoms. We are holding out hope that these crops have not been harmed too much, but it may be a while before growers can fully assess the impact of the crazy weather we had last week. Although Bob Felhazi up at Pine River is always telling me tales of the cold winds that blow down the Alliston plain, he says he will have the first asparagus this week, and fiddleheads, too!! Now don’t all rush to order at once; the site can’t always... Read More
M-m-m-MAY?
May 11, 2020
Hello Market Friends: Before writing this to you, I took a look at Environment Canada’s weather site, and decided to tell you that the good news is….NO SNOW in the Toronto forecast AFTER TODAY! How’s that for putting a positive spin on this chilly stretch? Farmers report that their early plantings are very slow to grow, the first asparagus was bitten off by frost, and fiddleheads are buried under the white stuff. If there ever was a year to test everyone’s patience, it has to be this one. However, when things do warm... Read More
Sharing Sad News
May 3, 2020
Dear Market Friends, We are sharing this message composed by Lauren Baker: On April 25, 2020, Pablo Reilly unexpectedly died, leaving behind his mother, Colette Murphy. Many of us know Colette and Pablo through Urban Harvest, Colette’s incredible company that provides so many of us with the heirloom seeds and seedlings that enrich our gardens, balconies, and lives. Colette has been a devoted and passionate member of our farmers’ market communities for so long, and Pablo was with her every step of the way. A few of us have set up a GoFundMe... Read More
A Handy Guide to Ordering Etiquette
May 2, 2020
Hello Market Friends: I am sending this note a little earlier than last week, to remind you to place your order on shop.dufferingrovemarket.ca before we run out of spots again! You will be glad to know that even more of your favourite farmers and vendors are joining us. This time, for example, we have a great harvest of over-wintered kale from Ben and Jessie of Sosnicki Organic Produce, freshly made herbal remedies from Tara of Catalyst Community Herbals, delicious organic vegetarian sushi from Chi at Natural Japaneats, and Liz‘s fresh ... Read More
Business is Blooming
Apr 27, 2020
Hello Market Friends: We continue to be thrilled and amazed by the response to shop.dufferingrovemarket.ca! As I write this, there is still room for a few more people to place orders for pickup or delivery this week before we have to close the shop. A special welcome to Reza Szhu of Alma Bakery, joining us with the traditional Persian flatbreads he makes with local organic flour! Lots more apple varieties and sizes from Mimi and Nacho of Reyes Farms are available, Footstep Organics is providing us with a few items nobody else has, and we are... Read More
We Can Do This!
Apr 19, 2020
Hello Market Friends: The past week has been a whirlwind, but we are nicely settled in our new depot at St. Anne’s Anglican Church (270 Gladstone) and gradually expanding our knowledge of how to run an online market! We’ve added more pickup slots, and expanded our delivery zone this week. If you haven’t placed an order yet, you still can! The usual shop.dufferingrovemarket.ca hours will be Saturday noon to Tuesday noon, with pickups and deliveries on Thursday afternoon, and now that we can assemble more orders, you... Read More
Web Shop Week 2
Apr 12, 2020
Hello Market Friends, the second week of the Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market Web Store is now open! From now ’til until midnight Tuesday or the time when we reach our capacity you can place orders to be delivered or picked up. We’ve got a new, highly organized and safe pickup spot and system. When checking out you’ll select a ten minute time slot within which to pick up your order. By arriving during your time slot you’ll help avoid unwieldy crowds of more than 4 people and allow plenty of space for distancing. You can arrive by foot or by... Read More
Great and Grateful News!
Apr 11, 2020
Hello Market Friends: We were blown away (almost literally) last week. Packing orders outside in the wind is not ideal, to say the minimum. However, we were buoyed up by the outpouring of supportive messages from many of you. Thank you all for your patience, enthusiasm and understanding. The move to an online market is a big task, and it has taken a huge leap forward in the past week. Many of you know the Reverend Gary van der Meer as the friendly, social-justice minded Pastor at St. Anne’s Anglican Church. He’s also a market... Read More