October

posted Oct. 21, 2007

Buy a pumpkin at the market, and join us for one last event this season on October 27, starting at 10 a.m.: carve your own pumpkin with us. This is a fun activity for all ages, just in time to scare it up for Halloween!

We will have some carving tools at hand, and... be prepared to go home with pumpkin seeds.

September

posted Sept. 28, 2007

The Urban Heirloom Harvest Fest was a great success, and for your benefit (for remembrance, or to show you what you've missed if you weren't able to make it) we've posted pictures.

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posted Sept. 21, 2007

Despite the summer-like weather, Thanksgiving is just a couple of weeks away, and Weber's Pasture Raised Meats are taking orders for turkeys now! Also available are lamb, veal, chicken, ducks, pork and beef, and you can also order eggs laid by free range hens.

Please see details for the Urban Heirloom Harvest Fest below the event announcement!

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posted Sept. 11, 2007

Special features:

• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - TCGN fundraising lunch (suggested donations will be announced at event); taste some of the foods prepared with donated produce from community gardens across Toronto!
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Art and Craft show with Breeze and Barbara Lewis (jewelry), Doug Mighton (painted glass windows), Lynn Heath and Alison Brennan (pottery), and Pamela (mask maker and garden stones).
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Dufferin Grove bake oven demo and baked goods
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Ontario artisanal cheeses and cured meats featured by the Leslieville Cheese Market

Workshops:

• 11 a.m. to noon - Edible Weeds by Dagmar Baur
• 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. and 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. - Seed Saving with Roberta Stimac

Childrens' activities:

• 10 a.m. to 1p.m. - art table
• time to be announced - cheese rolling
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - hula hoops

Our thanks go to our supporters: The Big Carrot, The Cook’s Place, Treasure Island Toys, City of Toronto: Parks, Recreation and Forestry, Magic Oven, ManoRun Farm, Toronto Sprout Co., FoodShare, PARGAR (Plant a Row Grow a Row), Seeds of Diversity Canada, Leslieville Cheese Market, Toronto Green Community, Green Gardeners Inc., TCGN and its members, and countless volunteers who have poured their hearts and minds into making this event happen!

And just a friendly reminder that the market starts at 9 a.m.

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posted Sept. 12, 2007

The details of the Urban Heirloom Harvest Fest are slowly coming together, and some changes from our Aug. 31 post need to be made:

Weeds, weeds, wonderful weeds! Gardening and culinary weed expert Dagmar Baur will enlighten gardeners and other workshop participants on the wonderful virtues of the maligned weed. Learn about the many uses of weeds as food, medicine, mulch and green manure. Learn how to identify weeds, and how they act as soil indicators.

Unfortunately educator and cheese connoisseur extraordinaire Julia Rogers won't be able to join the festivities, but no worries, there will be cheese, represented by the Leslieville Cheese Market.

Seeds of Diversity Canada member and urban gardener Roberta Stimac will show you how to save seeds of a few common vegetable varieties, and perhaps send you off with a rotten tomato, or a couple of seeds.

Please note that the workshop time table will be posted at the event, but that most of the other activities will be ongoing from 10 a.m. We also changed the event end time from 2 p.m. to 1 p.m.

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posted Aug. 31, 2007

The Canadian Organic Growers Toronto Chapter announced the winner of their writing contest celebrating community, on Aug. 25th. The winner is Marie Wilson for "Angels in My Yard." Congratulations Marie! We have posted the winning entry below.

Visit our new picture gallery on the vendor page. Here you can see some of the goodies our vendors have been bringing to market since late May.

Feast of Fields is the only organic certified fruit orchard in Ontario, and if you have not tried their white peaches yet, make sure you get some before the season is over. They are sweet as honey and so juicy that you can practically drink them.

On September 22, join us and the Toronto Community Garden Network (TCGN) for a celebration of our 2nd annual Urban Heirloom Harvest Fest, rain or shine! The party starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m., but the market itself will start at 9 a.m. as usual. We have planned a cheese pairing with Cheese Culture's Julia Rogers, seed saving and edible weeds workshops with Maria Kasstan and Dagmar Baur respectively, freshly baked goodies from the on-site oven, a TCGN lunch buffet (all lunch money goes to TCGN programs; please visit http://tcgn.ca/wiki/wiki.php for more info about the organization), entertainment and kids' activities and some other surprises. In short, this will be a day of food, food, and more food!

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Angels in My Yard by Marie Wilson

When I was little my favourite movie was The Wizard of Oz. I used to dream of a land over the rainbow “where troubles melt like lemon drops”. It took me sometime to realize that there is no such place as Oz. And that, to paraphrase Dorothy, if I ever went looking for my heart’s desire I shouldn’t look any further than my own backyard

As it turns out my backyard is a common ground, a courtyard I share with some 50 other people. Located in a leafy grove in Toronto, my co-op is a little slice of serenity amidst the hectic metropolis. Apartments built in 1912 in the Tudor style overlook nine separate courtyards where children play and flowers grow.

Before my children and I moved here we lived for a time on a quiet residential street. I never knew any of my neighbours. I knew there were other children around because I heard them playing in their high-fenced backyards. But I seldom saw them. They were whisked out of back doors and into cars, driven to schools across town or to “play dates” in other neighbourhoods.

Once we became residents here my kids spent a lot of time with other kids of varying backgrounds and ages. They learned about the needs and ways of toddlers and they experienced the helpfulness and knowledge of teenagers. Other parents look out for my children as well as their own, creating a safe feeling here that I didn’t have where I lived before.

One sunny autumn day I sat under a big maple tree in our courtyard playing chess with my son when our neighbour, Jam, sat down next to me and moved several pawns at once with his big furry orange paw. We laughed and surrendered the board to him as he tried to eat my rook. There are a catillion cats in the co-op. One of mine got stuck in a tree once when he was a kitten, and a young rap singer from next door offered to rescue him.

Tying one end of a rope around a radiator and the other end around his waist, this urban climber stepped out my window onto the incredibly steep roof. Cool, unfazed, he plucked Shadow from the branches and brought him in. I thought: he must do this all the time. And perhaps he does. That’s the kind of people I encounter here: helpful, resourceful, courageous.

And they are a diverse lot: musicians, carpenters, poets, students, artists, teachers, actors, eccentrics; single parents, large families, young couples, singles; old, young, in-between; they are people who will run to the drugstore for you if your child is ill or help with childcare if your work goes into overtime. And they have skills to barter: bike repair for apple crumble, a hair cut for web design. They also give freely of their music and poetry and art and cooking.

A few years ago residents got together to envision a new community centre. We drew pictures and wrote stories, imagining what a great place it could be. And then, through much hard work, our dream was turned into reality: full of large windows, high ceilings and a sense of warmth, our community centre is a beautiful space where many wonderful events unfold from the monthly coffee house to parties and potlucks and poetry readings. There are bake sales, mask making workshops, book fairs and more.

Violet and lavender and fuschia garments wave in the summer breeze from my neighbour’s clothesline. This laundry “art” complements the red geraniums and pink nasturtiums that bloom from window boxes nearby. The gardens of the co-op offer up lilacs, periwinkles, Virginia bluebells, morning glories, roses, and many other wonderful flowers, as well as vegetables and herbs. All are planted and tended to by the people who live here. Looking out my window I see lush greenery, colourful blossoms, edible plants throughout the warm seasons.

I always used to like a window by my bed so that when darkness fell I could see the stars and know that there was a beauty in the world to counter all the ugliness and unkindness I saw on a daily basis. In the co-op stars shine around me every day: smiles, kind words, melodic singing, angels. Yes, I have spotted angels here: members of the community helping to care for an ailing neighbour in his last days here on earth. They would do the same for anyone.

Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.

August

posted August 24, 2007

The bake oven demo, graciously organized by the awesome Dufferin Grove staff, was a great success, and if you have missed it, you can look at some pictures until the next demo in September.

Served were organic sweet flatbreads and "stone" pizza with produce provided by Withrow's market vendors.

Some market shoppers and vendors got right into it, and were rolling out and topping their own pizzas.

The next demo is planned for Sept. 22nd, during our 2nd annual Urban Heirloom Harvest Fest.

The oven was made out of about 100 bricks and a few cinder blocks, and a couple of waterfilled buckets were put on hand, just in case.

Right: Amy from Grassroot Organics is rolling out dough at the communal pizza making table. She topped her pizza with produce from her market stand.

Left: fresh, hot, oven baked pizza... yum!

Visit our market gallery on the vendor page for more images from the season!

posted August 16, 2007

The Taste of the Danforth has passed, and our farmers and other vendors braved the crowds stoically. This month you will see some changes in the market: we are being joined by a new farmer from Prince Edward County, who specializes in heirloom/heritage produce (you will find the largest selection of heirloom tomatoes at Jim's market stand, ever), and Ted has been speaking of corn.

We now also feature pies, cookies, tarts and other delectable treats from Alchemy Bakery, but Alli is still offering her amazing display of specialty breads, and St. John's Bakery is returning on August 25th. Returning on the same date are also the Webers with their choice cuts of organic and pasture finished meats.

This Saturday, August 18, we have a couple of special guests: the amazing team from Dufferin Grove will have an on the spot bake-oven demonstration, and will be serving up freshly baked flat-breads and pizza between 10 a.m. and noon. Debbie Diament will perform another cooking demo, where you'll have a chance to get your hands messy. The Ontario Natural Food Co-op is using farmers' markets to do some market research on the branding of their line of Ontario grown organic canned tomatoes, and would like to hear from you.

Also for a limited time, pick up some natural organic compost based fertilizers for your house and garden plants from Farm in the City.

On August 25 we will be showcasing the first Withrow Park Farmers' Market Riverdale Arts and Crafts Show (we'll probably be looking for a more catchy title). Some confirmed exhibitors are Pamela Schuller: masks and garden stones, Doug Mighton: hand painted old windows that look like stained glass, and Barbara Lewis and Breeze: jewellery.

Mark these September special features in your calendar: Sept. 15 Madeleine Greey is going to be our cooking demonstrator; Sept. 22nd we are celebrating our second annual Urban Heirloom Harvest Fest with a special treat (stay tuned for details in September!).

July

posted July 12, 2007; updated July 27

Here is a brief outline of the events and activities we have planned for this month:

July 14 - August 4 - join us for free Nia workshops with Jennifer Hicks between 9:30 a.m and noon. Nia is a magical body-mind-spirit fitness and lifestyle practice that has been developed and practiced since 1983. It combines elements of the dance arts (Jazz, Modern and Duncan dance), the martial arts (T’ai chi, Aikido and Tae Kwon Do) and the healing arts (Yoga, Alexander Technique and the teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais).

Nia is done barefoot to soul-grooving music and delivers cardiovascular and whole-body conditioning. While choreographic moves provide the form in Nia, it is self-guided and based on creating a loving relationship with the body. Creative, whole body expressive movement is encouraged, eliminating repetitive or jarring movements. It follows The Body’s Way – the innate intelligence of the body — and is adaptable and safe for any fitness level, from stiff beginners to highly fit athletes. AnyBody is welcome and will find a place with Nia.

For more information about Nia, please contact Jennifer Hicks, Certified Blue Belt Nia Instructor, at jenniferhicks@rogers.com or 416-461-3008.

July 21 - chef Sacha Douglas from Coupe Space will be showcasing her recipe for Zucchini Carpaccio with Caramel Almonds, Shaved Parmesan and Fresh Herbs at 10 and 10:45 a.m. For previous cooking demo recipes please go to our recipes page.

July 28 - the South Riverdale Community Health Centre's diet and breast health team will be offering information about this program and other SRCHC programs and services. We will again be graced by chef Sacha Douglas, who will tease our taste buds and stimulate our culinary muse (the demo starts at 10 a.m.).

Here's a quick August preview of events: on Aug.4 at 10 and 10:45 a.m. culinary diva Debbie Diament will perform for our market cooking demo (visit myplacefordinner.com/index.asp for a quick glance). We'll have a visit from Oxfam; a bake oven demo; an art and craft show featuring local Riverdale tallents and friends on Aug. 25; Taste of the Market on Sat. Aug. 11 (during the Taste of the Danforth, from Friday Aug. 10 to Sunday Aug. 12); and more.

June

posted June 9, 2007

Strawberries are coming!!!

Ted may still be selling last year's potato crop in this May picture, but strawberries are ripening in his patch as you're reading this note.

On June 16 have your breakfast in the park: slice up fresh, organic, juicy, and sweet strawberries into your cereal, and enjoy an outdoor morning (BYOM - bring your own milk!).

Drop in for lunch and enjoy one of Lindsay's yummy vegan, goat or chicken rotis, made hot on the spot.

Like raw food? Hearty Catering has crunchy wraps ready for munching, or take home one of their tasty dips.

If you've missed Jessie's hot and buttered peroggies on June 2, take home a bag of frozen ones, and fry them up for a fast, but healthy, meal.

Cooking demos, and a soap making and container gardening workshop are in the works for June, and the great folks from the South Riverdale Community Health Centre will be on hand to answer questions about services at the SRCHC and the relationship between nutrition and breast health.

Watch for more info on our farmers, vendors, cooking demos and other special features over the next couple of weeks.

posted June 16, 2007

Today's special:

Sacha Douglas of Coupe Space, a new Leslieville catering company, will be creating some culinary yummies involving fresh market strawberries and mascarpone cheese. Do we need to say more? Be first in line for a taste, and take home the recipe.

For the first in our breast health focused events this month we are hosting La Leche League Canada's Toronto East - Danforth Morning Group. La Leche League Canada is a non-profit organization which provides breastfeeding information and support to pregnant and nursing women. The group will be raising funds by selling premade soup mixes (not organic, but it's for a good cause).

Jessie's delicious home-made organic peroggies smothered in organic butter are back. Watch Jessie roll, cut, fill and shape these delectable treats on the spot. Enjoy them hot, or take home a package of frozen peroggies. Pick up some of Ben and Jessie's fresh peas from their organic Waterford farm, while you're at it, and don't forget to check out the fresh produce and cut flowers offered by our other farmers.

Are you a Riverdale resident, a morning person and enjoy the buzz and excitement of a farmers' market? The Withrow Park Farmers' Market is looking for volunteers who can help with traffic marshalling and other morning and afternoon tasks on market days. Contact Roberta at info@withrowpark.ca to sign up!

posted June 23, 2007

Strawberries and asparagus are still in season, and have been joined by peas, garlic scapes, basil and other heralds of summer.

The South Riverdale Community Health Centre's breast health and diet team was on hand providing information about their programs, as well as SRCHC services and programs in general. The team gave out mango salad samples, made with farm produce (greens and herbs) on hand. Mangos, which cannot be locally grown, are an essential ingredient in the cuisine of many cultures, and are essential in many peoples diets. SRCHC will be back in July with another tasty food demo.

posted June 30, 2007

As if fresh local organic produce, baked goods, tea, cheese, mushrooms, and organic prepared foods aren't enough, Laura from Grassroot Organics will share her soap making knowledge with market patrons. Laura's soaps are available for sale at the market.

posted July, 2007

Contest Celebrating Community!

Canadian Organic Growers (COG) is sponsoring a contest elebrating community in honour of the Withrow Park Organic Farmers' Market, that is fostering a healthy community among consumers, farmers, food and the land it grows on.

COG's Toronto Chapter wants to hear from you: write us a poem or essay (maximum 1500 words) celebrating community. The best ones will share a donated cash prize and will be published in the local paper and listed on the Withrow Park Farmers' Market website.

The deadline is August 15, 2007, and the contest is open to all ages. Send your submission with your name, address, and phone number to torontochapter@cog.ca, or mail COG Toronto, 54 Millbrook, Toronto, ON, M4K 1H4.

Winners will be announced at the Withrow Park Farmers' Market on August 25!

Spring Celebration, 2007

posted May 30, 2007

Withrow Park's market season took off with a spring celebration on Saturday, May 26, and was received with great enthusiasm by farmers, specialty food vendors, and the community. (see the original notice for the Spring Fling)

Please be patient with us and stay tuned for more news on events, workshops, cooking demos and more, while our new web master goes through training. In the meantime, check out some market images.

Photos from the Withrow Park Market Spring Fling, May 26, 2007
Dael	Evelyne
	FunGuy
Dagmar
grassroots
grassroots
Kyla
PlanB	honey
Sacha
Urban Harvest

posted May 18, 2007

Website Launched

We have launched a website for Withrow Park and the surrounding community. If you would be interested in participating in maintaining the website or contributing material, please contact Roberta Stimac c/o withrowpark@parkcommons.ca

Market Launched

posted May 18, 2007

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