A Tale of Two Cabbages 🐶
Nov 29, 2020
Hello Wonderful People! Last week was a tough one in the customer service department. As darkness fell on Wednesday evening, Ted Thorpe called to break the news that it was still snowing in Millgrove, and the row covers protecting his late fall greens were too frozen onto the ground for him to harvest. Not Ted’s fault that the weather turned out to be a few degrees colder than predicted (and by the way, this week’s weather is much milder, so Ted WILL HAVE GREENS!) but that meant we were short 100 orders of arugula and 37 orders of mizuna.... Read More
Glad to be Here 🌹
Nov 22, 2020
Hello Market Friends: We are so glad we can continue to offer you a safe and friendly source of food at this difficult time. We have a couple of things to mention in light of the lockdown: First of all, if you don’t want to leave home to get your order, we have plenty of capacity for more deliveries. For those who opt for pickup, we have reduced the number of customers per time slot to spread people out a little more and minimize any wait. We can still fit everyone in, but if you order at the last minute, you may find you have fewer... Read More
New in November
Nov 15, 2020
Hello Market Friends: Well, I guess Summer: the Sequel had to end. You wouldn’t think so from the technicolour postcard shot of our crew, taken just last Thursday, but looking like it’s from a magical land of eternal sunshine! (Below is a list so you can put names to all of those masked faces.) November isn’t only about endings. We have new products and a new vendor to introduce: Nature’s Way, the farm of Ed Dirse and Holly King. Ed and Holly will be supplying us with certified organic popcorn, sunflower oil and chili... Read More
Let There be Cake, and Prizes too!
Nov 8, 2020
Hello Market Friends New and Old: This week, we are celebrating the 18th birthday of the market. We may be doing things a bit differently this year, but that won’t stop us from honouring the occasion with happiness and treats for all. That’s right: everyone who orders this week will receive a miniature market birthday cake! Together we have proven beyond a doubt that the warm heartbeat of the market is still healthy and strong, so let’s enjoy this anniversary! Special thanks go to Carole Ferrari of Motherdough and our... Read More
The Frost is on the Pumpkin
Nov 1, 2020
Hello Market Friends: The silvery moon brought the first frost to my garden this weekend. I went to the trusty Farmer’s Almanac to find that this moon has three names; it’s a Minimoon, because it’s the full moon farthest from the Earth, it’s Blue, because it’s the second full moon in October, and it’s the Hunter’s Moon “as this is the time of year when humans and animals alike are stocking up on food in preparation for the long winter ahead”. Fortunately, our expert farmers are well-prepared, so we can enjoy the pleasures of local... Read More
An Eventful Week 🎃
Oct 25, 2020
Hello Market Friends: So much can happen in a week! When we put out a call for support, we really didn’t know what would happen, but we are part of a wonderful community, and you didn’t let us down! Many sweet messages of support have come our way, as well as contributions to our costs both small and large, and offers of volunteer help with our upcoming move back to the Parish Hall. The letters which were sent to Councillor Bailao on our behalf resulted in a special exception from PF&R: our unused permit fees will be returned! We are... Read More
A Community Makes a Market
Oct 17, 2020
Hello Market Friends: One of my weekly duties is opening our depot at St. Anne’s so the farmers and vendors can drop off everything that has been ordered for the week. Time is tight on Thursdays, but for a few quiet moments I can think about the day ahead, and admire the morning light. Nacho or Luka from Reyes Farms are first on the dropoff schedule, and always ready to lend a hand, putting up the first tents and hauling out tables. Then Jens arrives with the incredible variety of foods from Marvellous Edibles, Joe pulls up with a big... Read More
What Smells So Good?
Oct 11, 2020
Something about October makes me crave warm and rich aromatics. The sweet relief from my seasonal allergies just demands pies in the oven and soup on the stove. I could eat pumpkin spice for every meal (and I do) but, I want to highlight a few goods from our vendors which really elevate my fall cooking. Vasile Florin brings these beautiful dried pears and jars of hazelnuts to the market. I think the combo makes a sweet and elegant fall flavour and I love hazelnuts and dried pears baked into everything from scones to muffins to galettes. Ying... Read More
A Generous Harvest
Oct 3, 2020
Hello Market Friends: Along with familiar favourites we have many wonderful new items this week: Seth from Forbes Wild Foods let us know that a load of wild cranberries has just rolled in. Plenty of wild rice is available too, for delicious autumn stuffings, soups and side dishes. Vasile treated me to an advance tasting of Green Florin‘s fresh shipment of hazelnuts. Toast them and taste them, and you will discover that you want to add them to everything from salads to baking to green beans and more. SO GOOD! Take the full farm tour to... Read More
Arugula Fields Forever
Sep 27, 2020
Hello again dear Market Friends, It feels like the weeks are just flying by. I am so grateful for the warm breeze and summer-like weather that seems to have come out of nowhere. I reflect on how I sometimes don’t recognize how much I appreciated something until it goes away. The return of warmer weather is something to cherish while it is here. I am also grateful for this weather as it means that the frost has been kept at bay and our farmers can continue to yield bountiful crops to sustain their businesses and their lives. We say... Read More