Summer Solstice Market News
Jun 20, 2019
Happy Solstice, Market Friends! Summer is officially here, and we sincerely hope you will join us even if we have a few showers once again. After all, you’ve got to eat, and so do the farmers! It has to be a great market day with this news from the Sosnickis: “Rain or shine – we are coming with an epic load of two different kinds of Strawberries to Dufferin! The early “Wendys” are smaller, sweet, perfect for jam and fresh eating! The “Jewels” are big, sweet and perfect for fresh eating and slicing... Read More
Delightful News
Jun 13, 2019
Hello Market Friends: It was a thrilling moment when the note arrived from Jessie to say that the first Sosnicki Organic Produce harvest of strawberries is coming to Dufferin! As Jessie likes to say, these strawberries are “sprayed with absolutely nothing”. That doesn’t mean they are easy to grow; a tremendous amount of work and care goes into producing certified organic berries. Come at the start of market if you want some; quantities are limited yet. Jennifer of All Sorts Acre was looking forward to returning this week,... Read More
Remembering, and Savouring the Moment
Jun 6, 2019
Hello Market Friends: Although it is surprising to be wearing sweaters in June, we are moving towards summer, and a bigger and bigger market. Before we are swept into peak season, we want to look back in remembrance of Debbie Wiecha, a much loved member of our Dufferin community, gone too soon. At 4:30, we will have a short memorial for Debbie, with music led by Ken Whiteley and Richard Underhill, and words spoken by some of her many market friends. We don’t expect the market to entirely halt during this time, but some vendors will want... Read More
Growing by the Week
May 30, 2019
Hello Market Friends: Happily, we didn’t end up in Kansas or Oz last week when the wind tried to blow us out of the park! Looks like a great day this time, and there is much to be excited about. Here’s the news: Welcome back to Sosnicki Organic Produce! Here’s a note from Jessie: “While we struggle with this weather, we are coming anyhow!! We have our new helper Ellen who is a welcome addition around here! She will be the smiling face greeting you folks at our tables this year while we are busy with kids and in the... Read More
Strike up the Band!
May 23, 2019
Hello Market Friends, We can’t wait any longer! The market and the leaves are growing exponentially, and we have decided to make the spring leap forward into the park. Please bring someone new along with you and/or take a moment to spread this news, so our customer list grows as fast as our vendor list! We are very excited about this outdoor season: our roster of returning and new vendors is superb, and beginning next week, a rotating series of market guests will offer workshops and events. Please take a look at our 2019 Events... Read More
On the Brink!
May 16, 2019
Hello Market Friends, Is the weather finally going to settle, so the farmers can work in their wet fields, and we can spread out into the park? Well, maybe, but we are not quite there yet. We will be enjoying a gorgeous spring day by the looks of it, but we will stay off the tender grass for a bit longer, lest we turn it all into mud. Never mind, it’s going to be a great market! Here’s the news: We’ll have greens galore! That’s Plan B‘s home-grown kale up top. Marvellous Edibles and Kind Organics will have lots... Read More
Think Green and Head to the Market!
May 9, 2019
Hello Market Friends: So, looks like we didn’t get the best weather forecast of the week, but we hope we have the best customers! Please thumb your nose at the showers and show your support for the farmers and vendors who work so hard to bring you great organic food all year. We’ve got lots of good news to share: “Forbes Wild Foods Wild Leeks are in full force now. Picked by members of Beausoleil First Nations on the southern tip of Georgian Bay, our ramps are picked using progressive methods that ensure they will... Read More
The Merry Month of May!
May 2, 2019
Hello Market Friends, Often we complain in Toronto that spring jumps to hot summer overnight, but this year spring is emerging quite gradually, giving us the chance to savour each bit of advancing green and warmth. I hope you are finding time to get out and enjoy this wonderful time of year. To quote Margaret Atwood, ‘In spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.’ At the market we are in transition, with more vendors ready to return or begin each week. We will be largely indoors this time, but spilling out, with... Read More
A Welcome Bit of Green
Apr 25, 2019
Hello Market Friends, It’s planting time! It finally feels like spring has actually arrived, and it’s time to get excited about green vegetables and planting seeds. We always manage to cram a couple of tomato plants, chili plants, and herbs next to our little table and chairs on our tiny 6 ft by 6 ft balcony. It’s not a lot but it’s a welcome bit of green for our concrete box in the sky, and hopefully a rest stop for any passing urban insects. Last week I had the opportunity to visit Colette Murphy of Urban Harvest at her greenhouse in Black... Read More
Why support organic farms you ask?
Apr 18, 2019
Hello market friends, Yes, I know – like most of the wonderfully loyal folks who read this newsletter, you probably said, “so many reasons!” Very true. Perhaps the most obvious, is that without organic farms, organic farmer’s markets could not exist. I was pleasantly reminded of this when I looked at the program for our upcoming annual “Market Manager’s Day” conference, organized by the Greenbelt Farmer’s Market Network. This year’s keynote: “Bringing Community Together Through Food”. Many concepts came to mind, as I started to think... Read More