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
Our Farmers are tops – and so are their veggies!
Aug 1, 2019
Hello Market Friends: Are you as excited as I am for the first market, and subsequently first day, of August (2019)? Yippee, right? And fyi, it’s me Nicole sending you the market news, as Anne is away this week enjoying some precious time at the cottage. That means you may have to endure a bit more of my usual hip-hip-hooraying at market this week. So last market as I was walking around to the different vendors, asking them how the day had been for them, I happened to stop and peer into the compost bin of Kevin Hamilton of Shared... Read More
What Goes Around, Comes Around
Jul 25, 2019
Hello Market Friends: We have a beautiful mix of newbies, old-timers, and everyone in between on our vendor list this year. Here’s a nostalgic note from Glynis of Aldergrove Organic Farm, who joined us a few months ago: “I was out harvesting these red strawflowers this morning when I had a memory from about twelve years ago, when I was an employee working at Dufferin Grove Park. Shane Eby was at the farmers’ market with his buckets spread out over the lawn, and I saw these very same flowers and couldn’t resist. Unaccustomed to... Read More
Great Green Deals
Jul 18, 2019
Hello Market Friends: Kevin Hamilton of Shared Harvest has a problem. The vegetables he brings to market are too darn big. He can’t sell you a head of lettuce that weighs about as much as your leg for a price that accurately reflects how large it is, so there are giant bargains on his tables. Compare the price, size and quality of celery you get in a supermarket these days to the great value you can get at the market, and make a deal to share the bounty with a strong-armed pal who will help you carry it home. Last week some customers... Read More