Ready or Not!
Nov 14, 2019
Hello Market Friends: Depending how you feel about it, we have jumped into winter, or winter has jumped onto us! Last week John (Ionel) and Irina from Bees Universe had to miss the market because they were racing to get their hives ready for the cold, but Irina took a moment to send photos and a note: “It’s a place with only trees and wild where we have these bees, and with the snow, it’s gorgeous!” We’ll be glad to see them with eggs and honey this time. Helga Schulze called to say that Bob at Pine River Organic... Read More
The Market turns 17!
Nov 7, 2019
Hello Market Friends: Happy Birthday to us! This week marks the anniversary of the market at Dufferin Grove. Can you believe we’ve been at it for 17 years? It’s time to celebrate, so inspired baker Leslie Lindsay is making cake for all! We had grand fantasies of a balmy day on the rink, but since checking the forecast, we’ve been figuring out how many vendors you can fit in a Volkswagen. Fortunately the rinkhouse holds more than a Beetle, but there will be vendors both indoors and out. I can’t possibly list all the... Read More
Come Indoors for Lots of Treats!
Oct 31, 2019
Hello Market Friends, and Happy Hallowe’en: If you read the news via email or facebook last night, there have been a few last-minute changes! They are noted at the bottom of the news. When it comes to market-day weather, you win some, you lose some, and when it’s the latter, you keep your fingers crossed that people will be hungry, loyal and eager enough for good market food that they’ll still come. And since it’s Hallowe’en, we’re offering a wee reward of market bucks to anyone who shows up in costume! To... Read More
Wild Food, but not Wild Weather
Oct 24, 2019
Hello Market Friends: Okay, we will admit that we didn’t have the easiest transition to the rink market in last Thursday’s weather, but this time is going to be better. We hope you are hungry, because we have a tasty array of fall fare coming in! Seth from Forbes Wild Foods is bringing fresh Chanterelles, and also Paw Paw. These are the most tropical fruit that grows in Canada, so sought-after that you may be asked to return the seeds! Be patient: under-ripe pawpaws will give you that unpleasant ‘cotton mouth’ feeling... Read More
First Market on the Rink!
Oct 17, 2019
Hello Market Friends: We stretched it as long as we could, but it’s high time we shifted the market up to the rinkpad, where the hockey lights will come in very handy at sunset. There is plenty of great eating ahead, and we will do the annual jigsaw puzzle to fit everyone in. Please tell any lost souls you run into that we are just on the other side of the building; we don’t want anyone to think the market has vanished! Marvellous Edibles is bringing apples, grapes and fresh chickens (along with many other marvellous things.)... Read More
Bountiful Harvests for the Last Path Market
Oct 10, 2019
Hello Market Friends: There’s time for one more big, beautiful and bustling market on the summer path before we bid a very fond farewell to this setup and to several of our vendors who are finishing up for 2019. It has been a lovely path season. Warm thanks to all! Join us in celebrating the farmers’ bountiful harvests. Here’s the news: ‘Well, it’s that time of year again when we have to say “See you next year!” as we wrap up vending at Dufferin Grove to concentrate on field harvests before our men... Read More
October Showers bring May Flowers
Oct 3, 2019
Hello Market Friends: Why are we thinking about spring just as fall arrives? Because this week, Carolinian Canada and the World Wildlife Fund are teaming up to give away locally sourced native species plants at the market, to benefit pollinators in our neighbourhoods. Whether you are a gardening newbie or an old pro, you can do your bit for biodiversity! There will be lots of tips to ensure your native planting thrives. First come, first served, for as long as they last. Before we get to the food news, a huge thank you to Kevin Hamilton of... Read More
Summer or Fall? Take your Pick!
Sep 26, 2019
Hello Market Friends: Another beauty-full market coming up. Lots of summer crops are still going strong, while the first of the fall harvests are competing for space on the tables. A few teasers from among the many kinds of produce our growers are bringing: Look for excellent shallots, carrots, and the first big haul of squash on Aldergrove Organic Farm‘s tables. Alvaro at Plan B says “We’ll be bringing in some delicious Fredonia grapes. We should also have arugula and lots more cherry tomatoes, but not for long :)” Shared... Read More
An End of Summer Symphony
Sep 19, 2019
Hello Market Friends: Summer is ending with a huge crescendo. We have a record number of vendors and visitors to fit in, and so much to choose from that I could spend all day listing the items. Here’s just a sampling of what’s coming: Aldergrove Organic Farm‘s list: arugula, salad mix, sunflower shoots, eggplant, hot and sweet peppers, carrots, radishes, chard, leeks, celery, parsley, thyme, beets, celeriac, kohlrabi, kale, cherry, paste and heirloom tomatoes, and mixed bouquets of flowers. New crops this week from Sosnicki... Read More
Late-Summer Market News
Sep 12, 2019
Hello Market Friends: Apologies, I am sending the newsletter a little bit late because I was catching up with Cookie Roscoe of The Stop’s Wychwood Barns and Sick Kids Farmers’ Markets, and Carolyn Wong of Trinity-Bellwoods Farmers’ Market, two of my wonderful ‘market sisters’. Then we ran into technical difficulties, so let’s get right to it! I It’s still summer, and the farmers’ tables will be groaning: Ted Thorpe has Sugar Baby watermelons, cherry and heirloom tomatoes, onions, green peppers,... Read More