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Fresh News!

Disclaimer: Here's the naked truth: I, the market manager, am trying to update this site on a regular basis, but let's face it: sometimes it just won't get done. So in future, if you don't see a fresh posting date, don't worry: it's just that I didn't get to it, and not because there's nothing going on at the market. There's always stuff happening, and there is always good food, and more and more fresh local seasonal produce coming down the line.

updated Sept. 3, 2010

Can you believe Labour Day weekend is just ahead, and that school starts Tuesday? It’s been quite the hot and steamy summer, and we’ll be celebrating back to school and back to work with the fruits of the labour of our hard working farmers and other food producers.

The weather is going to be perfect for roasting a chicken, and the Webers are bringing them fresh this weekend (every other week, as a matter of fact), and some fresh duck, too! Other choices include pastured pork, grass-fed and -finished beef, cured meats, and pastured chicken eggs.

There are still loads of tomatoes (for canning, saucing and fresh eating), corn, watermelon, berries, peaches, grapes, beans, peppers, and much, much more.

One reason to look forward to cooler days is Sol Maya’s hot chocolate, but for now, you can still count on coffee beans (whole or ground) and a fresh cup of the brew.

The Good Food Conspiracy Co. is continuing to innovate: "No labour and all love this weekend with one last Saturday of our Labna Love -- an Egyptian pomegranate-green chile dip. Our raw vegan take on this classic includes fermented cashew cream yogurt, pomegranates (an Ayuverdic tonic for the heart), orange blossom water, mint, a touch of fiery green chilies, kissed with aromatic grains of paradise spice, nasturtium petals, and local ruby red Stag sumac berries. We'll have a nut-free vegan version available this week made with fermented fresh young coconut cream. Also, stay tuned for a cornucopia of harvest-inspired creations throughout September and October, including assorted wild autumn mushroom pâtes, fermented and pickled foods, and so much more...like another new item next week!"

LPK’s Culinary Groove is back this week with their gluten free spread of desserts, and so is Mesey with Ethiopian vegetarian meals.

For the kids: This Saturday we will be decorating "light switch covers" (out of cardboard) with a Eco friendly theme. With slogans like “Turn me off when you leave please!” or “Shut the light, over night!”

Music: Weather permitting Leigh Robinson will rejoin us with the relaxing sounds of his hammered dulcimer.

Upcoming events: September 18 we pay homage to summer and the season’s bounty with a Harvest Celebration. This is, of course, a free community event, and some of the highlights are free bike tune-ups, a sneak performance of Darbazi (must-hear Georgian folk songs), the Riverdale Historical Society will be giving out historical recipes that can be used now, a whole whack of things to do for the kids, a fair-sized craft show, and more.

In your community: Cold Frame Building Workshops with Kyla Dixon-Muir. Kyla is a community and 4-seasons gardener and has 3 Saturday workshops lined up for anyone interested in learning how to garden all year round. Choose one of three dates: Sept. 4, 11, and 18, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Ralph Thornton Centre, 765 Queen St. E. Workshop cost is $125 per person. For more information and to pre-register visit http://www.riverdalemeadow.ca/wiki/wiki.php or contact Kyla at coldframes(at)gmail.com or by calling 416-469-9507.

Danbrie Farms’ maple syrup is returning in September. We’ll keep you posted on the exact dates. This will also be your opportunity to stock up the larder with this precious liquid.

Volunteer event planners needed! Are you bored and would like a diversion that benefits your community? We are looking for people who can help us plan our next special event. If you have ideas and want to take on a project, please get in touch with Roberta at withrowpfm(at)gmail(dot)com and put “market event planner” in the subject line.

To receive fresh weekly news subscribe to our Market e-newsletter here.

Special announcement:

FARM INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY at Small Potatoes Farm in Brampton, www.smallpotatoesfarm.ca.

Positions available: 2 Type: 2 days per week with stipend and vegetable share Duration: Three-weeks (or more) between July and November

Small Potatoes Farm is in its second season of growing organic vegetables in Brampton, Ontario. Farmer Laurel Fortin grows on one acre within the McVean Incubator Farm, a 90-acre property managed by FarmStart and owned by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority in the Claireville Conservation area.

Of course we grow potatoes! But you'll also find 50+ vegetables from arugala to zucchini grown following biodynamic principles and sold at Withrow Park Market on Saturday mornings in Toronto.

We're looking to increase our harvest to a second weekday market, and for that, we need you! You'll work closely with Farmer Fortin to plant, cultivate and harvest two days per week, with the option to attend market days to get the full farm-to-fork experience. No matter your height, you'll be a big help at Small Potatoes Farm.

The ideal intern should:

• Have an energetic work ethic
• Enjoy physical, outdoor work (weeding, hoeing, lifting, bending, kneeling)
• Be able to follow instruction and adhere to planting and cultivating principles
• Have an appetite for vegetables

Availability: We are seeking candidates that are available two days per week for a 3-week or more period:

• Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 hours)
• Tuesdays OR Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6 hours)

Please specify the three-week (or more) period in which you're available between July and October and which weekday you prefer (Tuesdays or Wednesdays). If you're able to commit for a longer period, we'd like that, too. Interns with children, students, seniors, new Canadians welcome.

In exchange for your commitment, we offer a stipend of $25 per week plus opportunities to learn and network with many other farmers, as well as your share of the weekly bounty. Laurel is a new farmer (2nd season and growing) so you'll be learning along with her.

For candidates who require transportation, pick-up can be arranged, for example, from Pearson Airport (the TTC 192 Airport Rocket runs every 20 minutes from Kipling subway station), Caledon or Bramalea City Centre.

Please contact laurel(at)smallpotatoesfarm(dot)ca and include a few words about yourself, your availability and any questions.

Do You Have a Fruit Tree You Can Share? Not Far From The Tree is a non-profit organization which matches fruit tree owners with local community agencies. A team of trained volunteers will pick the tree, and the fruit is divided between the tree owner, the volunteer pickers, and a neighbourhood recipient such as a food bank or shelter. Tree owners receive a lot of fruit without the work and the mess of picking, and good food gets put to good use. This year we are expanding into the Riverdale area (ward 30). If you have a tree you'd like picked, are interested in being a volunteer picker, or would like more information, please see our website at www.notfarfromthetree.org or contact Riverdale hub coordinator Chris Sharp at chris(at)notfarfromthetree(dot)org.

Peak into our Stale News Cupboard further down this page for events, activities and good food you've missed so far.

Come for the food, stay for the perks!

Musicians/Buskers wanted!

Our market patrons, vendors and volunteers are an appreciative crowd, and will toss coins or bills in your hat or guitar case. Come join our lovely community and liven it up with tunes and tricks. Contact the market coordinator at withrowpfm(at)gmail(dot)com.

Volunteers needed!

Farmers' markets have traditionally not only been a place for the exchange of goods, but also a place for community, where neighbours would meet to exchange news and gossip. We hope that the Withrow Park Farmers' Market will become not only a destination for seekers of high quality and healthy Ontario produce, but also a community space. To make that happen, we need your input and participation. We are currently looking for volunteers who can help on market day with set-up and closing, and the posting of fliers. If you are interested, please contact the market coordinator at withrowpfm(at)gmail(dot)com.

The market also encourages community groups, non-profit and environmental organizations, to apply for a booth to promote their programs free of charge. Unfortunately, although we work with elected officials in the promotion and development of the market, we cannot host political parties.

We've adopted an ecological and local focus on fresh produce and prepared foods, and our vendor guidelines are open to the public. As part of our eco responsibility we encourage market patrons to walk or bike to the market, and use reusable shopping bags (also available at the market as a fundraiser).

To learn more about us go to About Us.

To view some of the food prep demos contributed by local chefs and other culinars click on recipes.

We are still looking for a web volunteer who can help us organize the site. Some web design and code writing experience are preferred, as well as access to a personal computer. If you can help, or know of someone else who can, please get in touch with Roberta at info (at) withrowpark.ca.

Stale news cupboard!

updated Aug. 26, 2010

Another beautiful summer weekend is on its way, and with it more produce and other goodies. Here’s some of the bounty you can expect:

Sosnickis Organics will bring more watermelon: “black sugar babies, and tiger stripe too. Both sweet red with seeds. Ben will also have lots of tomatoes, sweet corn, onions, peppers & garlic for all Withrow customers!”

Monforte Dairy is serving up scoops of the most amazing vanilla sheep's milk ice cream! It is truly fantastic and worth making exceptions to the no-treats-before-lunch rule.

If you’ve delayed making a peach & blueberry crisp, you’re getting close to missing your chance. Feast of Fields says the peaches are near the end, but there will be more pears, plums, maybe blackberries and raspberries, and wild blueberries for sure. All are a great complement to Monforte's ice cream...

Small Potatoes says: “This week basil basil basil - store your pesto for winter. Some nice fennel, some (small!) celery. The regular salad mix and Swiss chard... Tomatoes keep coming - so should you!”

The Good Food Conspiracy Co. continues to dazzle with new product: "Bringing some spreadable love this week with our new summer spread: Labna Love. Our fermented raw dairy-less version of this exotic Egyptian dip with sexy pomegranates, mint, fiery green chilies, grains of paradise, kissed with raw orange blossom honey, nasturtium petals and lots of amore naturally. Plus, more of our regular good raw, vegan and gluten-free food fare. Eat your (he)art out!"

Sheena Dash was a bit surprised with how her oven-dried dog treats (made with organic organ meats) have flown out of her basket, and she’s bringing more for this Saturday.

Unfortunately, LPK’s Culinary Groove is missing the Saturday markets this week because they will be at the Live Green Toronto Festival all weekend. Visit http://www.toronto.ca/greentorontofestival/ for info.

For the kids: We’re opening the hangar for you and your tots to try your hand at engineering and aeronautics. This market day it’s all about paper airplanes – decorated by the engineer!

Music: Leigh Robinson returns with his hammered dulcimer… sweet sounds for a sweet summer park picnic…

McVean Farm is opening its gates to the public again this coming Sunday August 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tour the farm, go on tractor rides, enjoy fun farm activities with the kids, taste some produce and fresh prepared treats. And all this farm fun is FREE to you and your family! McVean Farm is located 1km north of Hwy 7 (Queen St. E.), on McVean Drive (west side) in Brampton. See link for location and directions: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=McVean+Incubator+Farm&daddr=&hl=en&geocode=FfHZmwId_xxA-w&mra=ls&sll=43.768305,-79.684353&sspn=0.010289,0.019333&ie=UTF8&z=16. Visit www.farmstart.ca/mcveanfarm for more information or call 519-836-7046 x 103.

updated Aug. 20, 2010

Ben Sosnicki from Sosnicki's Organics is bringing “lots and lots of fresh, full, sweet cobs of Sweet Corn this week! An abundance of tomatoes, onions, zucchini, beans too!”

Feast of Fields is arriving with peaches, plums, blue seedless grapes, pears, raspberries, blackberries, wild blueberries, and bunches of cut roses.

The Good Food Conspirators are announcing "one last week of our very popular, surreal vegan Dilly-Dalí Tzatzaki, before we move onto another select summer spread. Made with fermented cashew cream (full of probiotics), fresh dill & mint, and wild cucumbery kin: cattail hearts and blue borage flowers. Also, this season's sweet juicy tomatoes deserve to be smothered in our organic greens-packed raw vegan Impasto Pesto (meaning "thick" in Italian). This calcium-rich con artist with kale-arugula-basil-spinach-lamb's quarters is unlike any other. Available with black walnuts or with hemp (nut-free)."

This Saturday we are catering to your pooch with more than a bowl of water: Sheena Dash makes dog treats that are chips made from organic liver, heart and kidneys. “There is absolutely nothing else added, it's just pure organ meat. The chips are oven-dried so they are more fragrant than freeze-dried.”

Other goodies for humans (or poochy under the table) include an ever changing selection of cheeses from Monforte Dairy, breads and pastries by St. John’s Bakery and Saucier Foods respectively, meats from the Webers and Field Sparrow Farms, copious amounts of veggies from all the farmers, gluten free desserts from LPK’s Culinary Groove, coffee from Sol Maya, preserves from the Riverdale Food Working Group, and handmade soaps from Essence Dew.

We are building a new tradition at the market: a monthly craft fair. While you are picking up your treats and groceries this Saturday, peruse some of the hand-made wares of your fellow Riverdaleians.

For the kids: paper bag puppets!

In the neighbourhood: Movies in the Park presents “Some Like It Hot” with Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis; Sunday Aug. 22, Riverdale Park East, at dusk. A little Marilyn Monroe never hurt anyone... www.moviesinthepark.wordpress.com

Other announcements: CULTURE VIBE is holding a fundraiser for RESULTS Canada in support of their efforts to end extreme poverty in developing countries: August 20, 8:00pm – 1 a.m. at the Peridot Resto/Lounge, 81 Bloor St. E. Tickets are $25/person and are available through a RESULTS Toronto volunteer or at the door! Featuring a silent auction, a grand prize draw for two tickets to Toronto City Lights Cruise, and live entertainment, including Congolese Gospel Group Génération Des Vrais Adorateurs, Spoken Word Artist Yusra Khogali, and Jazz Singer Luwam. Hors d’œuvres will be served. Cash bar. For more information please visit www.resultscanada.ca or contact 647-883-0701/sahararosek@gmail.com.

updated Aug. 13, 2010

Sosnicki Organics’ Ben and Jessie are sending word that their “fresh, sweet-not-starchy certified organic Sweet Corn is coming to Withrow this week! Along with a nice selection of field fresh tomatoes, onions & peppers too!” I have tried the corn this past week, and it is sweet and tender with a slight crisp. Definitely worthwhile the wait!

Also worthwhile the wait, and something that needs to be taken advantage of are all the heirloom tomatoes flooding in. Haystrom Farm, The Fresh Veggies, and all our other farmers are harvesting the fruit (make no mistake, tomatoes are classified as a fruit) and bringing it to you. Roast them, oven dry them, preserve them, freeze them, eat them fresh. If you don’t know what to do with all that delicious goodness, visit Fine Cooking magazine’s web site and do a recipe search: http://www.finecooking.com/.

“From Small Potatoes this week: more zucchini and squash flowers, purple Cherokee tomatoes, leeks, sweet salad mix, rhubarb and flower bouquets. Now's the time to chop and freeze rhubarb so you have some over the winter for a quick crumble!”

LPK’s Culinary Groove’s Spicy Chèvre Noir Shortbread Cookie won the “Best Spicy Dessert in Toronto” contest through Harbourfront Centre and their Hot and Spicy Food Festival. LPK’s CG will be appearing at the festival Sunday Aug. 15 from 5-6pm at the Lakeside Terrace, demoing the cookie and handing out samples. The cookie is delicious, so please have a taste of the winner and judge its spiciness according to your personal heat chart.

Good news from the Good Food Conspiracy Co.: "Unexpectedly, more of the very popular Chanterelle Belle -- wild mushroom raw vegan pâté -- made possible again by newly foraged fruity fungi from the forests of Niagara (we thought the season and our luck were over 2 weeks ago)! And, also part of our Summer Spreads Series, another week of Dilly-Dalí Tzatziki -- a surreal organic vegan version with fermented cashew cream, cool garden cucumbers, wild cattail hearts & blue borage flowers. It sold out last week, so we'll have more on hand this week! Also, more of our raw Monochrome Macaroons in stock (chocolate-ginger and lemon-almond). Plus, all of our other Good Food conspiratorial staples: ARTisanal raw flatbreads, subversively delicious spreads, and sublime sweets."

Returning this Saturday is Mesey with her popular Ethiopian vegetarian ready to eat or take away food.

At market this Saturday: music by Montague Street - http://www.montaguestreet.net/; Nia with Jennifer Hicks, 11:30-12:30 - http://www.jennhicks.ca/Nia.html.

For the kids: egg carton bird feeders (gotta love those egg cartons!).

updated Aug. 6, 2010

It’s that time of year again: the Taste of the Danforth is upon us, and if you are staying in town this weekend, we would love your company!

LPK’s “Spicy Chèvre Noir Shortbread Cookie” won the “Best Spicy Dessert in Toronto” contest through Harbourfront Centre and their “Hot and Spicy Food Festival”. LPK will be appearing at the festival on Sunday August 15 from 5-6pm at the Lakeside Terrace, demoing and sampling the cookie.

There are heaps of Ontario organic produce and locally prepared foods coming our way, and if you can’t eat it all, then this is a good time to stock up for the winter. Speak to our farmers to see if you can make bulk orders of produce (like tomatoes for canning). They will be more than happy to accommodate you if they can.

The Webers are thinking about bringing cuts of lamb to market this Saturday, and will do so if they get them back in time from the butcher. There will be graded eggs as well as other choices of meats.

This week Small Potatoes Farm is bringing zucchini and squash flowers, great for stuffing with ricotta cheese or pan frying in olive oil. We'll have a few fennel and more ground cherries as well as salad mix, oyster mushrooms, leeks and more bounty -- eat well!

Small Potatoes Farm, The Fresh Veggies and Manmeet Singh grow at the McVean Incubator farm where you're invited to an open house Sunday, August 29 - see details at http://www.farmstart.ca/mcveanfarm/.

"This week, as part of the Good Food Conspiracy Co.’s rotating summer selection, we've dreamed up another raw, vegan, very local, surreal spread, in good time for the Taste of the Danforth festival: our Dilly-Dalí Tzatziki. Our classically-inspired tzatziki with crunchy organic cucumbers, fresh mint & dill, Cretan olive oil, in a fermented cashew cream base is not your everyday (Greek) garden variety, we've added some wild cucumbery kin to the mix: tender cattail hearts (also called "Cossack's asparagus"), one of the best wild sources of vegetal protein with tons of minerals too, and also brilliant blue borage flowers to restore burnt-out adrenals (and beiged-out eyes!). When Greco-harvest goddess Demeter collides with artist Salvador Dalí, a tub of dill-iciousness results! $5/250 ml tub."

For the kids: this is a repeat of our popular egg-carton caterpillar making activity.

Music: we are welcoming back Alex Hickey, with her poetic, to the point and thoughtful lyrics.

This Saturday we are hosting the Health and Strength Action Group. The group is composed of folks who live, work and play in south Riverdale, and who are trying to make their communities healthier and stronger. The group’s activities include participating in the Put Food in the Budget Campaign (to raise social assistance rates so that people can eat healthy food), and trying to make the TTC affordable and accessible to more people. Membership is open to anyone who wants to get involved. The group is based at South Riverdale Community Health Centre. More information: Susan Bender 416-461-1925 ext 353.

In the neighbourhood: Dusk Dances continues into Sunday, Aug. 9. For more information visit http://www.duskdances.ca/2010Season_withrow.html. The Riverdale Historical Society has announced its fall schedule. For details please visit http://riverdalehistoricalsociety.com/.

Coming next week, Aug. 14: music by Montague Street - http://www.montaguestreet.net/; Nia with Jennifer Hicks, 11:30-12:30 - http://www.jennhicks.ca/Nia.html.

updated July 29, 2010

This week's fresh news is a sample of our latest e-newsletter:

Withrow Park Farmers’ Market News for July 31/10

Hello market friends;

We are ready to say goodbye to July with '''more, new and exciting produce arriving this Saturday: more cucumbers, more heirloom tomatoes (cherry and beefsteak sizes, and anything in-between), okra, potatoes, peaches, beans, etc, etc, etc. ''' The Webers and Field Sparrow Farms are back, and that should put a smile on any meat-lover’s face.

We know some fresh corn on the cob is in the works, but don’t know yet who will be first to bring it. Ah, the market is like a mystery grocery bag: you never know what you may find. Actually you do: there are always yummy surprises!

Absent this Saturday is Jay Thoman from Danbrie Farms, so if you are running low on maple syrup, hold the pancakes until next week, when Jay returns.

Good with pancakes (or on cereal, ice-cream, or whatever your taste-buds desire): wild blueberries! You can find them and other juicy sun-sweet fruits at the Feast of Fields table.

Laurel sends word that “Small Potatoes Farm this week has... small potatoes! Red and white ones. And a curious delicacy: ground cherries! Plus the usual organic lineup.” And if you always wanted to spend some time in a farmer’s shoes (or boots), there is an exciting internship opportunity with farmer Laurel for outdoorsy vegetable lovers. Please see the posting at the end of this news-mail.

The Good Food Conspiracy Co. folks are announcing "more wild golden chanterelles this week = another Saturday of Chanterelle Belle, our raw organic velvety-vegan chanterelle pâté foraged from the forests of Niagara with fresh tarragon, chives, laced with chardonnay wine and white truffle oil ($5/250 ml tub). And, if we have any leftover, we'll work them into a rare baked good we do, our classic gluten-free Gauguin Galettes-Bretonnes, buckwheat breakfast pancakes from Brittany topped high with wild mushrooms, chèvre, apricots and frisée. Savage and sweet, like the long-dead artist himself. Also, next week, after a long hot July, hopes of finally introducing our raw vegan icecream"

You will see a new vendor face at the market this Saturday because we are welcoming another FarmStart farmer to market. Manmeet Singh grows veggies along Small Potatoes and the Fresh Veggies. We are looking forward to Manmeet joining the Riverdale and Withrow market community.

For the kids: We are tickled pink to welcome Buttons the Clown to yet another market! Buttons will entertain big and small, old and young, with her witty ways and sunny disposition. At the crafts table kids and grown-ups can put their engineering skills to test with paper airplane construction! Make one, fly one, and share your favourite childhood paper airplane design.

In the neighbourhood: Dusk Dances return to Withrow Park from August 3 – 8. Please visit http://www.duskdances.ca/2010Season_withrow.html for more information and times.

To see a full list of our vendors please visit our vendor page at www.withrowpark.ca.

Come for the food, stay for the perks!

See you at market,

Roberta --- market coordinator

Eating locally starts here… every Saturday 9-1, until October 30, rain or shine!!!

updated July 22, 2010

Starring in July: peas, broccoli, cherries, raspberries, wild & domesticated blueberries, kale, tomatoes, Asian greens, beets, chard, apricots, beans, peaches, cucumbers, and all sorts of wonderful edibles!

Correction: free Saturday morning yoga sessions with Christine are finished for the season. For other opportunities to yoga with Christine please visit www.wenmarbyoga.com.

Join us this Saturday July 24 for our special guests the Riverdale Historical Society, potter Karen Franzen, jeweller Barbara Showler-Lewis, and Henna Planet's body art with Tarquin Singh.

In the neighbourhood: Movies in the Park presents Tremors on Sunday July 25 (postponed from July 18) at 8:30p.m. in Riverdale Park! This is a free event. Please visit http://moviesinthepark.wordpress.com/ for more information.

updated July 16, 2010

What's happening July 17:

• For the kids: make a classy pet rock; have fun with Buttons the Clown (10:30-11:30)!
• Music: Singer and song writer Alex Hickey: http://www.alexsings.ca/alexsings_home.html.

updated July 1, 2010

Coming July 10:

• Montegue St.: musical duo composed of Laura (saxophone) and Mark (guitar and vocals).
• Nia with Jennifer Hicks: shake that booty to cool tunes, have fun, get shapely, and sweat it sisters and brothers. You have hula hooped, now let’s Nia! 11:30a.m. – 12:30p.m.
• The North American Native Plant Society is coming back for a visit! Details to follow in next week’s e-news.

updated June 24, 2010

Coming this Saturday June 26: cherries & raspberries, beets, broccoli, peas, and much much more.

We are a G20-free zone! Come spend the morning with us!!!

We're trying to pull together a mini craft/art show for this market day, but our artisan friends are a bit rain shy, and we are still waiting for confirmations. In any case, for all the Saturday rain in the forecast, we've been enormously lucky. We're taking a gamble every week, come take a risk with us: rain or shine!

Presenting this Sat.: singer and songwriter Alexandra Hickey! Check it out: http://www.alexsings.ca/alexsings_home.html

updated June 18, 2010

This week Laurel from Small Potatoes is bringing mushrooms, and Bob from the Fresh Veggies is bringing fenugreek. Haystrom Farms is also adding fresh greens to the table, and Sosnicki Organics will continue to bring juicy sweet strawberries for a few more weeks.

The market always offers an opportunity to learn about and try new things. Visiting a farmers' market is a culinary and social experience, even when it rains.

Our special guest this and next Saturday (June 19 & 26) is Tarquin Singh from Henna Planet. It’s supposed to be hot this market day, so we hope to see a lot of skin which you can have covered with one (or more) or Tarquin’s beautiful designs. Take a look: http://sites.google.com/site/bodyartbytarquin/gallery

Craft Show: June 26, as well as July 24, August 21, September 11 and October 2 we are hosting artists and artisans. We will let you know who’s coming when in coming newsletters, as well as the web site. Don't receive the newsletter? Subscribe at the link below.

Singer songwriter Alexandra Hickey is coming back to share her tunes with us on June 26, and more music is on the way in coming weeks.

In your community: Movies In The Park is organizing free community movie screenings, and on Sunday June 20, you can watch “The Great Outdoors” with John Candy and Dan Aykroyd in Riverdale Park (great to watch with the kids!). The Rooster Coffeehouse is providing treats. For more information go to http://moviesinthepark.wordpress.com/author/moviesinthepark/

For the kids: You and your child can make a card for dad or anyone else you think needs a little token of appreciation. Any donation to the craft table goes towards art supplies, and we thank you for your support so far.

Our kids crafts volunteers are sharing the table with the Broadview Community Youth Group who will be offering information on their summer camp programs. Visit http://www.bcyg.ca/ for more information.

updated June 10, 2010

Breaking News: Summer returns to the market June 12 with STRAWBERRIES! They're local, they're sweet, and they're all yours.

Visiting Saturday June 12:

Engineers Without Borders demonstrating a treadle pump.

The South Riverdale Community Health Centre's Outreach Team advocating to Put Food in the Budget.

Nia with Jenn Hicks - a fun cardio workout for every body - 11:30-12:30 (also returning July 10 & August 14).

For the kids: the Toronto Public Library Pape & Danforth branch will do interactive activities from 10:30-11:30.

updated June 4, 2010

Returning this Saturday: Haystrom Farm with home-grown produce preserves, LPK's Culinary Groove (vegan & gluten-free desserts), and Webers Meats.

Starting June 5 at 9:30: free Saturday morning yoga sessions with Christine. Please wear comfortable clothing. Sessions are canceled if raining. Sessions continue June 12, 19, and 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, and August 7, 14, 21 and 28.

Coming June 12: Nia with Jenn Hicks, 11:30-12:30. Other opportunities to join in Nia exercises: July 10 and Aug. 14. It's fun, it's rhythmic, it's for every body!

For the kids: on June 12 from 10:30-11:30 the Toronto Public Library Pape & Danforth branch team is joining us again! Bring the kids for some interactive activities with the amazing library staff. This Saturday: make a spiral snake mobile with one of our fantastic volunteers!

updated May 28, 2010

Coming May 29: Toronto Public Library Pape/Danforth branch kids activities 10:30-11:30 a.m.; North American Native Plant Society and seedlings; Riverdale Historical Society; Allison and her hula hoops 10-noon!

We are introducing and happy to announce: MONFORTE DAIRY artisanal cheeses; CAFE SOL MAYA coffee roasters.

For the kids: the theme this week is around leaves and family/community - we will be doing a magical leaf drawing using real leaves and rice paper and kids will make their family tree.

updated May 19, 2010

Join us for Spring Fling, our first market day on May 22, kicking off season 4!

Highlights of the day are:

FREE City compost provided by Councillor Paula Fletcher: bring your own shovel and containers and take it away. Councillor Fletcher will by dropping by at 10 a.m. as well.

Have seedlings to give to good home? Bring them to the community seedling swap! The swap will be ongoing throughout the day, and is open to all gardeners. Unfortunately, due to concerns about termite migration, we cannot accept transplants, but only potted seedlings that have not come out of the ground around your property. Sorry.

CANADIAN ORGANIC GROWERS are back for a spring visit to share the latest in organic news with you.

There's a new bike gang in town! Meet the folks from BIKE SAUCE: they'll do spot tune-ups and some small scale repair work, so bring your bike by for some post-winter TLC.

Get some fancy bling from jewellers Barbara Showler-Lewis, Breeze Romaine, and Pamela Kearns, photos from globetrotter Jan Amell, or a henna tattoo from Tarquin.

For the kids: decorate a container and plant a little garden. Participate in creating a market mural - this is an activity for the whole family: add words or images to the mural that reflect your experience of the market. New this year: kids can choose a colouring book to work on throughout the season whenever they visit the market.

Best news last There will be fresh local seasonal produce: radishes, greens, asparagus, salad mix, Swiss chard, potatoes, onions, etc. Also: St. John's bread, Saucier Foods gourmet fare, meat, maple syrup, pastries and treats, raw foods, and coffee.

updated Oct. 28, 2009

On Oct. 31, please join us for our last event of the season: Halloween Dress Rehearsal! Let the kids enjoy Halloween all day long by letting them wear their disguises for fright night to market and have fun with some spooky crafts, pumpkin carving and face painting.

In your community: parents and tots (2-6 years old) from the Withrow Park Free Outdoor Playgroup have been meeting every Tuesday from 1:00 ~ 2:30 since September 22 by the smaller playground further north in the park. The Playgroup is part of the ACTIVE KIDS CLUB "a group of parents and caregivers who want to introduce their children to the love of the outdoors in all weather. Bring your children and your ideas and join us! www.activekidsclub.com".

Behind the scenes of a little market that can:

Well, here we are close to the end of another, if at times challenging, mostly fabulous market season. We had fun, frustrations, made new friends, but overall had a great time collectively as the little market community that you had the chance to meet and belong to over the summer, and we hope you, too, had a great time filling your spiffy Withrow market bags with the result of the labour of so many farmers and passionate food entrepreneurs. On behalf of all of us I thank you for your support, and look very much forward to next year. You will see some changes, and sometimes it will rain, and sometimes everything will seam perfect, and sometimes there'll be surprises... We never know what the weather will be like, but we know that our farmers will do their best to keep things growing.

I want to take this opportunity to introduce you to our tireless, hugely dedicated, and creative volunteers: Jennifer who has planned and coordinated kids activities this season has had help from Arturo, Anu, 2 Sarahs, Faye, Danial, Irene, Tricia, and occasionally Michelle, Sherry and Francoise. In addition to helping with kids events, Michelle, Sherry, Anu, Francoise and Jeff have been helping with the morning set-up and late day clean up of the market area, have been assisting our vendors in many ways, have helped with various other aspects of the market and have actually been the ones running the show on Saturdays. Without their help this market season would not have been much fun.

I hugely appreciate the help of all our volunteers, and in addition to the front line folks, there have been others helping out behind the scenes: Brad has been taking care of our graphic design needs, Anna has been photo-documenting the market season, Karen has been working with us on ways to find some funding, and Jen has been helping with schemes and strategies and putting things into perspective. Maria, Elizabeth, Christina and Barb helped with early season market promotion, and the Cook's Place and Book City have let us take over their window displays to help spread word about the market. I also want to draw your attention to Andrew, this year's Parks staff person who has kept the park in ship shape, and has taken good care of us, as well as his supervisors and coworkers who have kept things humming along even during the City strike. And the whole thing was dreamt up and orchestrated by yours truly, Roberta.

Last, but so very much not at all at the least, I want to thank all our vendors and market guests for making our 3rd year a great and encouraging experience, and without their commitment and hard work, there would really be no market, and, of course, there wouldn't be one without you, our fellow eaters and neighbours, and we look forward to sharing good food, fun and memorable moments with you next year.

updated Oct. 8, 2009

This Saturday, Oct. 10, join us for our first Thanksgiving Fresh Food Drive. Please buy an extra basket of potatoes, onions, or an extra squash, cabbage or other storable vegetable to donate to the Eastview Community Centre foodbank. The fresh food drive is an initiative of the Riverdale Food Working Group, a cooperative project hosted by the Ralph Thornton Centre, and working to improve fresh food access to Riverdale residents on low income.

updated Sept. 30, 2009

Christine has had to cancel her free Yoga sessions for the remainder of the market season, and we apologize if you came to market on Sept. 26 and found no class, but we only found out that morning. However, we look forward to have Christine return to the park and our community next season.

updated Sept. 18, 2009

The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation's Tour de Greenbelt, is a fresh air festival on wheels, that explores all Ontario’s Greenbelt has to offer - fresh local food, rural hospitality and fun recreation.

The Tour began in 2007 as a visionary partnership between environmentally conscious retailer, Mountain Equipment Co-op and Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation.

Now in its second year, the Tour takes place September 12-13 and 26-27. This year’s cycling adventure will incorporate four distinct, fully paved, marshalled routes in four Greenbelt regions with each route designed for fun, rather than competition.

This family-oriented cycling event includes visits to farms, farmers’ markets and wineries. End-of-ride meals feature delicious, local Greenbelt food. Check out the action on these tour dates:

• Saturday, September 12th – St. Catharines/Niagara: Starting and ending at Henry of Pelham Winery and moving throughout Niagara ending with a catered local food lunch at the winery.
• Sunday, September 13th – Burlington/Halton: Starting and ending at the Mountain Equipment Co-op store in Burlington – going north into Halton ending with an urban street party, local food BBQ lunch and live entertainment.
• Saturday, September 26th – riding on the Nokiidaa Trail then touring up to Lake Simcoe and east to Musselmans Lake.
• Sunday, September 27th – Toronto/Durham: Starting and ending at the Greenwood Conservation Area in Ajax. This route will explore the Rouge Park, and journey along the shores of Lake Wilcox, tour past the scenic farms of Uxbridge Township and ending with a local food BBQ lunch and live entertainment.

Visit http://www.tourdegreenbelt.ca/ for more information and to register.

updated Sept.10, 2009

Coming this week: fresh filler-free organic lamb sausage from the Quinte Organic Farmers Co-op!

Coming Sept. 12:

Here: A Celebration of Local Living!

Here is a quick preview of some of the things we've got planned:

• 11a.m.: winter windowsill herb garden starter workshop: bring fragrant memories of summer indoors by starting a windowsill or kitchen garden from seed or cuttings (a small pay as you can material cost will apply). Seeds for this workshop have been graciously donated by Urban Harvest!
• 10a.m.: heirloom tomato tasting and seed saving demo: this has been a tough year for tomatoes, but there is enough to show you how to save your own seeds now for next year's crop (info on tomato seed starting and growing will be provided)
• bike jam: we will have a mobile bike shop, winter riding information, a bike drive (bring us your old bikes and bike parts; they will be refurbished and donated to charity), and more
• Riverdale Food Working Group fresh food drive for the Eastview Community Centre food bank
• ongoing: Knit-a-Row, Share the Warmth: literally knit a row for charity! If you don't knit, Anu can show you how.
• mini Riverdale craft show presenting the work of Riverdale artists and artisans
• worm composting demo (ongoing) with Green Oasis on Broadview: learn how you can compost indoors, and get a worm farm starter kit
• 11:30a.m.: cooking demo with Julie Daniluk, probably best known to Big Carrot shoppers as their chief in-house nutritionist. Julie is also the author of the newly published Meals That Heal Inflammation, and we are still waiting to hear if she'll have some copies for sale at the market.
• 11a.m.: Positive Spin Hoops: Allison will be returning with her hoops: learn how to hula your way to fitness, health and happiness.
• CANCELED: the Riverdale Meadow community gardeners won't be attending this event
• LEAF (Local Enhancement for the Appreciation of Forests) will have something special up their sleeves, and will also continue to answer your questions about urban tree care

And there will be a whack of things to do for kids:

• Who can resist an inchworm salad? this is a really neat way for kids to eat their veggies and play with their food!
• U Can Do It Woodworking for Kids will be back to show you how your kids can indeed do it and be the builders of their own toys.
• From 10:30 - 11:30 chill out during story time with staff from the Toronto Public Library's Pape branch.
• Leanne and Alicia will be bringing their Picture It Picture Books to market. The books allow readers of all ages to be their own illustrators! The books are written without pictures on purpose in order to co-create with the reader. Picture It Picture Books is dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint, and the plots are tinted with earth-friendly messages. Get set, sharpen your pencils and get ready to draw!

updated Sept. 3, 2009

Danielle from Troinoa is back with Yogalicious, a yummy probiotic frozen dessert. Troinoa is a young Toronto company that has developed the first ever probiotic iced kefir dessert (now also available at Sun Valley on the Danforth). Troinoa works with local farmers in the procurement of their ingredients, and also support fair trade practices. Meet the woman behind this new local food business, and have a scoop or two.

updated Aug. 21, 2009

We are happy to welcome Deer Valley Farm to our market community. Tony, Irene and their family raise venison on organic pasture, and feed them GMO-, drug- and hormone-free feed and hay in the winter. Visit their web site at http://www.venison.ca/ for recipe ideas, and come meet them in person at the market.

This weekend we are the testing ground for a new probiotic frozen dessert: Troinoa is a young Toronto company that is launching Yogalicious, the first ever probiotic iced kefir dessert on Aug. 29, and we get to sample the goods before the official street date. Troinoa works with local farmers in the procurement of their ingredients, and also support fair trade practices. Meet the people behind this new local food business, and be one of the first to taste Yogalicious. Yogalicious will be available at Sun Valley on the Danforth from Aug. 29 on, but Danielle from Troinoa will be visiting the market again on Sept. 5 and Oct. 3.

Jackie and her team from Hands on You Therapeutic Clinic have a special bag of fun and relaxation prepared for this Saturday! For aching and stiff muscles line up for a free chair massage, or win a prize by participating in either a push-up competition (whoever can do the most push ups receives a FREE fitness assessment and a FREE 1 hour personal training session), or a Yoga Tree Pose competition (whoever can hold the pose the longest receives a 3 class pass and a $10 gift certificate towards any of Hands on You services), or both!

updated Aug. 12, 2009

Our first Edible Container Garden Show has been a lot of fun, and we will be posting pictures and stories in our picture gallery, and on the web site of Toronto Balconies Bloom. Stay tuned and don't miss the show next year!

updated Aug. 5, 2009

Aug. 8 is the date of our 1st Edible Container Garden Show! Get inspired by eco-responsible potted crop designs, and meet writer and master gardener Lorraine Johnson, Paul Zammit, director of horticulture at the Toronto Botanical Garden, and yougrowgirl.com's Gayla Trail at noon. Gayla's new book is due next Feb., but you'll be able to get a copy of her first book ("You Grow Girl: The Groundbreaking Guide to Gardening") at the market and have it signed, too.

This is a joint show with Toronto Balconies Bloom, and to find out more about Toronto Balconies Bloom and their activities, visit torontobalconiesbloom.ca.

This week Inside Out Studio is bringing some FFF to market: Fun Family Fitness... Together! Interactive games for parent and child, light-hearted races and relays with loads of spirit! We mix it up differently each time. Obstacle courses, motor skills and kooky exercises too :) Great for family togetherness and feeling good. Get in great shape with this fun group workout!

Adult Fitness (Beginner Level) Interactive and geared for people who need a bit of a push this fun workout includes some sprints, push-ups, abdominal work, shadow boxing, jumping jacks, burpees and other surprise exercises. Get in great shape with this fun group workout!

www.insideoutstudio.ca

This weekend in the park:

• Dusk Dances - until Sunday, Aug. 9, starting at 7 p.m. Visit http://www.duskdances.ca/DDFrameset.html for more information.
• "The Menaechmus Twins" by Plautus, performed by members of Theatreworks Productions - performances daily until Sunday Aug. 9 at 6 p.m., with additional 2 p.m. matinees on the weekend. For more info visit http://www.theatreworksproductions.com/aboutus_theatre_toronto.htm.

Both events are pay-what-you-can.

This weekend in the neighbourhood: The 16th Taste of the Danforth from Friday Aug. 7 to Sun. Aug. 9! Please note that Danforth Ave. will be closed to traffic between Broadview and Jones starting Friday at 11 a.m.

Make Withrow Park and the market your staycation destination!

updated July 29, 2009

We have revised the submission criteria for our 1st Edible Container Garden Show:

The Withrow Park Farmers’ Market and Toronto Balconies Bloom are introducing their first collaborative Edible Container Garden Show, on Saturday Aug. 8, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine.

The show is open to participation from urban gardeners from 3 to 103: bring anywhere from 1-3 containers of any type, in which at least 50% of the plant material is edible (either the whole plant or parts of it). What to grow is only limited by your imagination: grow a mini herb garden in a shoe, or an edible flower garden in an old car tire. If you can get it to the show without the use of a truck and a crane, the size is up to you, but we prefer you use sustainable transportation options: wheelbarrow, wagon, bike trailer, bundle buggy, TTC, carpool…

Help spread the enthusiasm and experience for growing edible containers by exhibiting your funky bucket of homegrown eats at this first-time event! Send your submission by Monday Aug. 3 with a little bit about your gardening self to contact(at)torontobalconiesbloom.ca (please replace at with @ in the e-mail address), listing “ECG show” in the subject line.

updated July 22, 2009

Do you have a new, young, or troubled tree near your house, or are thinking about getting one planted, but don't know what kind to choose? Bring your questions to LEAF volunteers, this Saturday, July 25.

LEAF stands for Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests, and is a no-profit organization that concerns itself with the health, wellbeing and propagation of native trees in urban areas.

Visit http://www.leaftoronto.org/ to find out more about their programs and on how to get involved.

updated July 14, 2009

On Saturday, July 18th the Buy Local Share Local campaign will be making a stop at the market on its 2nd annual Farmers’ Market Tour of Ontario. Buy Local Share Local is a campaign of the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB). The OAFB will be collecting donations of fresh produce from market goers and donating them to Daily Bread Food Bank. There is a great need for donations as 350,000 Ontarians are forced to turn to food banks each month, and an increase in usage has left food banks struggling to keep up with demand. Last year’s campaign raised over 190,000 pounds of produce for food banks across the province. By buying local you’re helping support your local economy and getting great tasting food at the same time. By sharing local you can help people in your community that are in immediate need of food. So come on out to the market July 18th, buy some fresh Ontario produce and donate to the local food bank at the same time!

Donations collected at Withrow will go to the Eastview Community Centre food bank.

For more information and dates of other stops on the Farmers’ Market Tour check out: http://oafb.ca/blsl.html

updated July 1, 2009

The market continues despite the Toronto City workers' strike, but please note that washrooms will continue to be closed while the strike lasts. To assist in keeping the market area and park as waste free as possible, please use the garbage bags in the market area for coffee and juice cups, etc. Farmers and specialty prepared food vendors are expecting you with lots of goodies, and we all thank you for supporting your neighbourhood market.

We are expecting another delivery of sweet and juicy strawberries at market this week, but come early. Please bring your own containers for the soft fruit, and return cartons to farmers.

3 berry topped puff pastry from Saucier Foods

little guy into big flavour

updated June 17, 2009

For this fresh news alert we have just 3 words: strawberries have arrived!

updated June 10, 2009

Starting Saturday June 13, the market is launching a series of free fitness activities starting with Yoga, brought to us by Christine Hall. Join Christine from 10 - 11 a.m. for energizing and relaxing postures designed to introduce Yoga methods to beginners and "improvers". Other free Yoga session dates are June 20, July 4, 11, and 18, and August 8, 15, and 29.

Classes focus on building strength and flexibility as well as bringing a sense of well being and stillness to your yoga practice. Pranayama (breathwork) and mindful contemplation are integrated and encouraged within the sessions.

Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat and/or towel/blanket.

Christine comes from an administrative background and currently works in the health care industry and teaches yoga part time. She achieved her yoga certification and training at Neo Yoga Centre (Himalaya Yoga Valley) in McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, India and is a member of the Canadian Yoga Alliance. Christine lived in India for a short period of time where she worked within the Tibetan community. During her stay in India, she studied under the guidance of her gifted yoga teacher Lalit Bharaj. McLeod Ganj is located in northern India and is currently the home of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet.

In case of rain, the class is automatically canceled.

For more information, please contact Christine Hall at 416-435-4633 or email christineforpeace(at)gmail(dot)com.

We are happy to announce special guests for our kids activities area for this Saturday (June 13) from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: the Alan Howard Waldorf School a story with Master Storyteller Dawne McFarlane at 11 a.m. "It is through storytelling that the Waldorf teacher nurtures the children's power off imagination and they learn to appreciate the beauty of language." Kids will also be able to join in other creative ways, by doing colouring with the school's traditional beeswax crayons.

Have you ever wondered how you can have access to growing your own organic foods, but are limited by the amount of space you have? On Saturday June 13th at, Zora Ignjatovic, a Riverdale resident and horticulturalist, will be doing a container gardening demonstration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Zora’s Living Food Boxes are the perfect and portable way to continue to grow your own foods throughout the seasons, and in small spaces such as apartments, condos, residences, hospitals, schools, and co-ops. Come check out all the amazing things you can grow in container gardens and get inspired! You can set up your own consultation with Zora or come by the Green Oasis on Broadview table on Saturday to pick up your own Living Food Box, or learn how to create your own.

This Saturday our featured market performer is Kristin Lindell, an east-end singer songwriter who performs original roots/jazz music infused with folk and blues inspired sounds. Her lyrics sing of lilacs, shady summer days and whimsical dreams of a "Month of Sundays". Hear more of her music at: www.songweaver.ca.

updated May 28, 2009

The Withrow Park Farmers' Market flung itself full force into a fresh Ontario growing season, and although not all of our farmers have made it back to market yet, a definite promise of good foods coming was in the air, and the weather could not have been more perfect.

Our first seedling swap and perennial divide was small, but successful, and we'll work on making it bigger next year. In the meantime stay tuned for news about our first edible container garden show (open to general public submissions!), on Saturday August 8 (during the Taste of the Danforth).

If you are worried that you missed your chance to get your thumbs on veggie seeds and seedlings, annual and perennial ornamentals, and native plants, you will have the chance again this Saturday (May 30). The North American Native Plant Society will be back, so will Urban Harvest, and the Green Gardeners/Green Oasis on Broadview team.

New to the market this year is Martha Preston with empanadas. You don't want to miss these sweet or savoury morsels of organic crispy goodness (there is a breakfast variety with egg and all sorts of good stuff). The Greenbelt apple empanada tastes like a mini apple pie: heat it up and break-out the vanilla ice cream... yum!

If you want to ensure a St. John's Bakery loaf of bread for the weekend, come early! Although they are working hard to meet the demand, the early bird gets the worm in this case (figuratively speaking).

This Saturday we are welcoming back Plan B with fresh succulent greens, and some hothouse cukes. We are also welcoming for the 1st time Saucier Foods with French style prepared foods and grass-fed, hormone and antibiotic free Limousin beef from Top Meadow Farms. Come and check it out!

Lucy from Compostellae Farm and Ben from Sosnickis Organics will be back as well, and as the season progresses the rest of our farmers are slowly returning.

New for this year is our monthly "Family Health Day", open to all ages for participation, and best of all it's FREE, courtesy of Hands on You Therapeutic Clinic. The "FHD-s" will be on June 27, July 25, and August 22, and here is a preliminary schedule of what you can expect:

• 9:30am-10:30 am - Mixed Yoga
• 11:00am-11:30am - Baby Massage workshop (benefits and techniques will be discussed)
• 11:30am-12 - FIT For ALL (a fun activity for adults and kids)
• 12-12:30 - Baby Massage Workshop
• 12:30-1pm - FIT for ALL

During the Fit for All Jackie from Hands on You will do complimentary 5 minute chair massages!

We have found a volunteer web master who will be helping us make the site more user friendly and "prettier". When Brad (who incidentally designed our so very markety logo) gets to it, we'll post a full calendar of kids activities, for now, we'll be sending weekly updates on kids stuff in our e-newsletter.

To receive our weekly market updates please subscribe via the link above this post, or from the box on our "About Us" page.

Mark Saturday May 23 in your calendars as the start of the new season, which will kick off with our 3rd annual Spring Fling, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine!

updated May 19, 2009

Our children’s activities this market season are not to be missed! We have planned a full season of fun and educational activities, crafts, and special guest appearances at the market - just for kids! For Spring Fling kids can go on a Market Scavenger Hunt, start their own garden from seed, and take a break with Pape Library staff during story time from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

The folks from the Riverdale Meadow Community Garden will bring their fantastic raspberry vinegar (add a touch of maple syrup, and your salad dressing is complete), live and dried catnip, Jerusalem Artichokes (also known as sunchokes - a native of North America!), potatoes, strawberry plants, and books on season extension.

We had hoped for some free City compost for Spring Fling, but weren't able to get any. We will try again later this season, hopefully in time for your fall garden cleanup.

In June 2008 Through the Garden Gate was our special market neighbour, and this year we'll be sharing some neighbourly banter with Toronto Solar Neighbourhoods. Want to energize your home with green power? These folks will tell you how. Visit www.solarneighbourhoods.ca/ for more information on the initiative.

updated May 11, 2009

Here is the long-ago promised Spring Fling and market start update:

This year join us for the first of what we hope will become a tradition: our first ever Seedling Swap & Perennial Divide!

What is it: gardeners who grow their veggies and annual flowers from seed often have a "problem" with too many seedlings, too little space, and an aversion to tossing the extras into the compost. This is your chance to offload some of the extra seedlings, and get your hands on something new. We do it with seeds on Seedy Saturdays (and Sundays), why not do it with seedlings? Have any extra divisions of perennials? Bring them along. Don't have anything to share? No problem! You will be able to get plants for some cold, hard cash.

How does it work: gardeners who want to participate need to register with Roberta, one of the event organizers, by phone (416-461-2825) or e-mail (withrowpfm @ gmail.com - please do not use spaces when you type the e-mail address).

Other highlights of our first market day: the North American Native Plant Society will have pollinator friendly native plants for sale; Green Oasis on Broadview, a new urban agriculture organization will bring seeds and seedlings; folks from the Riverdale Meadow Community Garden will bring among others divisions of herbs and berries; the Toronto chapter of the Canadian Organic Growers will be on hand to answer any of your questions about organic food; and more.

Of course, there will also be crafty and green activities for the kids.

This is not all folks. We will keep updating this post as more details become available, so visit us again, or subscribe to our e-newsletter.

On the market news-front: we are looking forward to welcoming back our farmers from Plan B, the Sosnickis, Ted Thorpe, Jim from Haystrom Farm, Feast of Fields, and the Webers with their summer sausage and other eco meats. We are also welcoming back Bees Universe, St. John's Bakery, Cacao Monkey Phil, and Superhealth (with the very much needed and greatly appreciated morning coffee).

We are also warmly welcoming for the first time Lucy from the Compostellae farm (who will be bringing fruit, veg and flowers), Martha of Preston Empanadas (providing ready to eat treats for hungry farmers and market shoppers), and Happy Grain Organic Bakery (offering gluten free breads and cookies).

The Withrow Park Farmers' Market is open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May 23 to October 31, rain or shine, 1 block south of Danforth Ave., between Logan and Carlaw.'''