Stories and Storms 🌪️
Sep 12, 2021
Hello Market Friends: There is no pretending that the climate crisis only affects people far away when extreme storms hit the farms we depend on. Both Aldergrove and Kooners’ suffered serious crop losses due to last week’s deluge and high-force winds, and Indy Kooner lost a greenhouse. To add insult to injury, Indy’s truck got stuck in deep mud when he was loading up for us last week, delaying him so much that some orders had to go out without their veggies. Thank you to the wave of customers who declined their credits or sent money to help... Read More
Time for a Sanity Check?
Sep 5, 2021
Hello Market Friends: When I was trying to think how to describe the fantastic variety of produce available right now, an orchestra came to mind. I went looking for an image to go with this idea, and that is when I discovered The Vegetable Orchestra of Vienna! No kidding! They have performed hundreds of concerts worldwide, and eaten many a hearty bowl of instrument soup afterwards. You can listen to them here (but I will warn you, a leek violin still sounds quite a bit like a leek!). This ties in quite nicely with my feeling that I need a... Read More
Surprise! It’s September!
Aug 29, 2021
Hello Market Friends: Anne here, back in the market newsroom after a couple of weeks away. I was very sorry to learn that our last market had a number of serious product quality and quantity issues. Everyone was struggling with temperatures in the high 30s Celsius and no rain, and this had serious consequences on the farms. We sincerely apologize, and along with the growers we will do all we can to make it up to you this week. Essa Seedlings and Sprouts and Sundance Harvest were both hoping to return this week, but the intense heat forced... Read More
Melon-Mania! 🍈
Aug 22, 2021
Hello Market Friends: Another guest writer for you this week folks. It’s me, Nicole, your PPP – (Pickup Point Person.) Hello! First off, I wanted to extend an enormous “thank you”, to all of you who signed my giant birthday card. And to those who extended birthday wishes verbally, thanks all the same. What a community we have – you guys rock! And just how old am I, you wonder? Well as I told market manager, Anne Freeman, thankfully I’m still able to do cartwheels all over the place! But Ted Thorpe, (for almost as long as I’ve... Read More
The Local Arts Scene
Aug 15, 2021
Hello Market Friends: Matt is guest writing this week! How’s it going? In spite of how many half bushels and bushels of peaches were sold last week, I’m sure you’ll be back for more. You should try a new variety like White Knight or Baby Gold and remember that however many are in your cart right now, you won’t regret having more. Same goes for the San Marzano tomatoes, which can be bought by the half bushel. If you missed out on corn last week, we have it in large supply from both Sosnicki and Kooner. My go-to weekday dinner is Crispy... Read More
From Near and Far
Aug 8, 2021
Hello Market Friends: It happens every year. Just as the supply of local crops hits a wonderful high, lots and lots of market customers leave for their summer vacations, and market sales slow down. Our farmers have worked hard to produce all this wonderful food, and they need to sell it now! We want everyone to get as excited about local harvests as we do, and to feast, preserve, freeze and share the best food in Ontario. We’ve decided to offer $5 off deliveries for the rest of this month of abundance, to encourage folks all over town to... Read More
The Farmers, the Bakers, the Kawartha Broom Maker
Aug 1, 2021
Hello Market Friends: It seems like anyone who can get away is out of town these days. I was lucky to be invited to a cottage near Haliburton recently, and I squeezed in a couple of visits to vendors who live close to our route, so for those of you still here and reading, please join me on a little armchair jaunt! On the way north, we stopped at our newest market farm, Ta Neter. After all our correspondence, it was really good to meet Shabaka and get a sense of the place. Three of their children were helping him in the vegetable garden when... Read More
Reasons for Optimism
Jul 25, 2021
Hello Market Friends: It’s hard not to get discouraged by events these days, but we’ve got some news to help you stay on the sunny side. The Generosity of Farmers Last Thursday, Indy Kooner arrived with 11 absolutely heaping bushels of chard. For free. He added a hefty basket of beets to that and instructed us to share it all however we wanted to. Then Ted Thorpe rolled up with crates of extra green and yellow zucchini to sell or donate. We sold some beets and zucchini, but we also got a chance to spread the love! The bounty went out to... Read More
High Fives for High Summer!
Jul 18, 2021
Hello Market Friends: As well as small businesses, farmers’ markets have had a long list of rules to follow throughout the last 16 months. This week, we found out that while masks are still compulsory for market staff and vendors dropping off their wares, customers at outdoor markets no longer have to wear them. Whew! If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, that’s fine, and everyone is asked to continue respecting social distancing. We look forward to seeing your smiling faces! You may not be able to see our smiles yet, but here are some... Read More
The Gain and Pain of Rain
Jul 11, 2021
First things first: I have the great pleasure of introducing a farm new to Dufferin this week! Ta Neter, which means “Divine Land”, is the beautiful homestead of Shabaka, Utcha and their five children, where they keep bees, raise Maremma Dogs, Bengal Cats, and Babydoll Sheep, make soaps and medicinal products from their Botanical Garden, as well as growing a great selection of vegetables, which they will bring to the market. I’m sure you will show them a warm Dufferin welcome! Red Leaf Lettuce From Ta Neter Farm, 3.5$ Basil From Ta Neter... Read More