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
Let’s get greener!
Sep 4, 2019
Hello Market Friends: Some exciting news for you – it’s Organic Week! Last week we mentioned that (starting September 1st), you could enter the Organic Council of Ontario’s Why I love Ontario Organic contest, to win market bucks and other prizes. And there’s more! This weekend the OCO is hosting a couple of events, (and one’s in Toronto!) First, a walking food tour on Roncesvalles on Saturday, September 7th, with organic product samplings from five retailers: Second, an organic wine tour in Niagara Region on... Read More
Daydreams and To-Do Lists
Aug 29, 2019
Hello Market Friends: I don’t know how the end of August came round so fast. It’s hard to choose between late summer daydreams and the urge to get organized for what’s ahead. Lounging in the park over a market supper and then taking home a good haul to put by for delicious meals later is an excellent compromise. Sosnicki Organic Produce has a bumper crop of Roma tomatoes: “Cases are 25 lbs for $30 and they are plentiful and gorgeous!! We can bring bulk starting this week! Should have them for a good month... Read More
Lively it up!
Aug 22, 2019
Hello Market Friends: We have a very lively market lined up for you. The farmers’ tables will be piled high with a huge variety of summer harvests, there are snacks and dinner choices galore, and we have an extraordinary number of special guests joining us. Bring your kids or your pals (or both!) and plan to stay a while; it’s going to be fun. Lesley Brock from Red Dog Farm is visiting with 5 kinds of garlic for your culinary pleasure. It’s peak week for Wiechas’ peaches! Connie Wiecha will be coming with a big load of... Read More
Organic Pleasures
Aug 15, 2019
Hello Market Friends: Pile your baskets high with the beautiful harvests of August! From melons to mushrooms, we’ve got it all. We invite you to look for the Canadian Organic logo identifying our certified organic farmers. Right now we are particularly fortunate to have certified organic corn from Sosnicki Organic Produce and certified organic peaches from Niagara Lavender Farm two crops that are very rarely produced without the use of conventional methods. Thanks to stellar market volunteer Sarah Bilous for this photo of... Read More
What to Munch on This Week
Aug 8, 2019
Hello Market Friends: Three cheers for the support for biodiversity that is provided by organic farmers, and three more for all of you who have added pollinator-friendly plants to your gardens! Thanks to market fan Chang Liu for sending this image of a monarch caterpillar feasting on milkweed. Find out what can still be planted for a great fall garden at the Urban Harvest table this week. Extend the season! Colette and her team are also hoping to have more body care now that some ingredients have finally arrived. Niagara Lavender Farm‘s... Read More