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Join the Friends of Withrow Park for a holiday sing-a-long and campfire on Thursday December 8 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the campfire pit in front of the field house. We will have stories and songs to celebrate the season and hot chocolate to help keep us warm. Dress warmly and bring a mug for the hot chocolate!
Want to get into the holiday spirit a bit earlier? Check out the Holiday Breakfast (with a special guest - hint, hint) at Jimmie Simpson on November 26 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. or at the Frankland Community Centre on December 3 from 9:30 to noon (breakfast costs: $3-$4, beverages $1; tickets sold at door).
UPCOMING FEATURES & EVENTS: Bring your jack-o's to the Friends of Withrow Park PUMPKIN PARADE on Nov. 1 from 6-9 p.m.; line 'em up on the path between Strathcona and Hogarth (in front of the field house) to light up the park with pumpkins.
posted Nov.1 , 2011
Thank you for being our friend!
We had a great final outdoor market day of our 2011 season! The weather was great with a lot of sunshine, a great assortment of produce and other goods, and oodles of pumpkin carving and pinata smashing kids. To see what you've missed, check out our flickr gallery.
We are thanking the Riverdale community, our farmers and vendors, our amazing volunteers, and Park's staff for another successful market year, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to beautiful Withrow Park in 2012!
We will post any and all updates about the 2012 season start here on our home page.
 His name? Googly Bear. |
Halloween: this is the holiday for kids, isn't it? Enough candy if eaten unchecked to make you the dentist's best friend; a license to be silly and to wear the most outrageous outfit; the night when kids are allowed to talk to strangers and toss rotten eggs (but preferably not...). But, you don't have to be a kid to enjoy candy, costumes, and talking to strangers. This oh-so-very delightfully colourful and frightful time of year centred around carved pumpkins, candy trades, and ghoulishly decorated porches, is our bitter-sweet moment to say goodbye to yet another outdoor market season. Bitter, because we will miss the market, our vendors, and you dear market friend - no doubt about it; but sweet, because we won't miss getting up and out while it's still dark (thank you daylight savings time, not!). Plus who are we kidding) it's getting a bit chilly out there. |
OCTOBER
updated Oct. 27, 2011
 you know, it's for the kids! |
To prepare us for this our last day of the outdoor season in beautiful Withrow Park, we went to a local farm to get local pumpkins (pet a goat and a couple of sheep) for our traditional end of season CARVE-YOUR-OWN-PUMPKIN kids craft theme. Bring your own pumpkin to carve, or choose from one of ours. You are also finally able to find our pumpkin gallery on our updated flickr photo stream, as well as other pics from throughout the season. But, please don't think that pumpkins is all you'll find this market day. No, no; Sosnicki Organics, The Fresh Veggies, Healthy Choice Farm, Potager du Kanada, Small Potatoes, Webers Natural Meats, Field Sparrow Farms, St. John's Bakery, Saucier Foods, Monforte Dairy, Sol Maya Coffee, Mesey's Ethiopian Vegetarian, LPK's Culinary Groove, and the Riverdale Food Working Group will all be here for a grand finale. (Speaking of the RFWG, poor Dave has been sick quite a bit this fall, but he ensures me he's coming back to market this Sat., with salsa and other preserves.) |
Fresh produce highlights for this week are: spinach, winter squashes & pie pumpkins, salad mix & arugula, cabbages, celeriac - great in soups & stews, leeks, onions, potatoes in many colours & sizes, chard, kale, garlic - no less than 6 varieties, beets, carrots, multi-coloured hot & sweet peppers, radishes, rappini, turnips, chard and much more!
updated Oct. 19, 2011
 the goodness of spinach - Sosnicki Organics |
Fresh produce highlights for this week are:spinach, winter squashes & pie pumpkins, salad mix & arugula, cabbages, celeriac+ - great in soups & stews, leeks, onions, potatoes in many colours & sizes, chard, kale, garlic, beets, carrots, multi-coloured hot & sweet peppers, colourful flower bouquets and much much more! Our returning vendors this market day are LPK's Culinary Groove, Brian Hamlin (honey) and Small Potatoes Farm. Also returning after a very long absence is Mesey with her Ethiopian Vegetarian food. Sadly, we have to say our seasonal goodbyes to Danbrie Farms (for all the sake of pancakes and French toast may the sap run plentiful next March), Haystrom Farm (who were already absent last week), and This Ain't Your Mama's Bread (speaking of French toast, albeit gluten free). The Good Food Conspiracy Co., sadly, has also already wrapped up their season at market. |
But... we still have quite a good number of dedicated vendors with great product to see us to the end of the market season: farmers Sosnicki Organics, Healthy Choice Farm, The Fresh Veggies, Potager du Kanada, Webers Natural Meats, Field Sparrow Farms, and the already mentioned Small Potatoes and Brian Hamlin; prepared food vendors St. John's Bakery, Saucier Foods, Monforte Dairy, Sol Maya Coffee, and the returning Mesey, LPK's, and the Riverdale Food Working Group (if you have any Mason jars, the RFWG is our recycling depot).
FOR THE KIDS: This week we are gearing up for the big holiday with some Halloween themed puppets that the kids can decorate with paints.
SPECIAL GUESTS
- The Riverdale Meadow Community Garden had to miss the market last week due to illness, but is joining us this day to do some fundraising with bottles of delicious raspberry vinegar.
- Naturopathic Dr. Lisa Weeks is coming back for another visit.
updated Oct. 14, 2011
 sweet potatoes from Haystrom Farm |
Fresh produce highlights for this week are: sweet potatoes,spinach, winter squashes & pie pumpkins, salad mix & arugula, cabbages, celeriac+ - great in soups & stews, leeks, tomatoes until the frost gets them, onions, potatoes in many colours & sizes, chard, kale, garlic, beets, carrots, multi-coloured hot & sweet peppers, ground cherries, colourful flower bouquets and much much more! What an amazing Thanksgiving weekend it has been! The weather seems to have been a last salute to summer, but we are not saying farewell to you for another 3 market days! Unfortunately, with the rainy forecast come a couple of announcements of vendor cancellations for this coming market day: LPK's Culinary Groove will, regrettably, miss another market day, and This Ain't Your Mama's Bread and the Small Potatoes will be absent, too. The Good Food Conspiracy Co. has wrapped up their season at market last week, and Brian Hamlin (honey) will return for a last market day on Oct. 22. |
So... the next 3 market days are your diminishing chance to enjoy fresh farm harvests and prepared foods at your neighbourhood farmers' market!
FOR THE KIDS: This week the kids will be making Stained Glass Leaves using recycled cardboard and brightly coloured tissue paper.
SPECIAL GUEST - The Riverdale Meadow Community Garden is fundraising with bottles of delicious raspberry vinegar.
updated Oct. 7, 2011
 pie pumpkin from the Fresh Veggies |
Fresh produce highlights for this week are: spinach, winter squashes & pie pumpkins, salad mix & arugula, corn, a fresh batch of green, red & savoy cabbages, leeks, tomatoes until the frost gets them, onions, eggplant, potatoes in many colours & sizes, shallots, chard, kale, garlic, beets, carrots, multi-coloured hot & sweet peppers, ground cherries, zucchini, okra, colourful flower bouquets and much much more (like Monforte Dairy grilled cheese sandwiches & This Ain't Your Mama's Bread gluten free French toast). If you don't do so already, challenge yourself to an all local Withrow Market Thanksgiving feast, and do tell us about it. Better yet, send us some photos, too, and we'll post them on flickr. Send us your entry by Friday Oct. 14 for a chance to win a prize! |
You can get most if not all of your ingredients at the market (OK, except for salt and spices): turkey & the fixings for stuffing, pumpkin pie (from Saucier Foods), a slew of veg, and flour (St. John's Bakery), eggs (Webers) & pie pumpkins or sweet winter squashes if you decide to make pie from scratch. Yeah, we don't sell sugar, but we have maple syrup & honey.
Brian Hamlin (honey) is back this week, but sadly, LPK's Culinary Groove staff have become victims to the seasonal flu and cold that's been going around, so will be skipping this market day.
This is the last day for sweet corn on the cob from the Sosnickis, and will be the last market day this season for the Good Food Conspiracy Co. and their unique and imaginative raw food dips & flatbreads (and the delicious Balkan roasted red pepper ajvar [pronounced ayvar, in case you didn't know]). Feast of Fields' (fruit) season at our market has also come to an end, but we keep going for 4 more weeks, and there's loads of goodies to enjoy yet!
The Riverdale Food Working Group is our Mason jar recycling depot. You can either drop them off at their booth at the market, or arrange a pick-up if you have too many.
FOR THE KIDS: This Saturday we will be doing a beautiful craft with a natural tree branch and colourful leaves on which kids will write words expressing things they like about the fall season and the market.
SPECIAL GUESTS - David Santandrea on classical guitar - a wonderful way to relax before the Thanksgiving cookout! Laughter Yoga circle with Lynn at 10 and 10:30 - participate and get a free session pass!
SEPTEMBER
updated September 28, 2011
 the colours and flavours of fall are here; acorn squash from the Fresh Veggies |
Fresh produce highlights for this week are: spinach, winter squashes, salad mix & arugula, corn, a fresh batch of green, red & savoy cabbages, leeks, pears, grapes, wild blueberries, plums, raspberries, apples, peaches, more tomatoes, onions, eggplant, potatoes in many colours & sizes, shallots, chard, kale, garlic, beets, carrots, multi-coloured hot & sweet peppers, ground cherries, zucchini, okra, colourful flower bouquets and much much more (like Monforte Dairy grilled cheese sandwiches). Even though every market day is special, we want to thank all our guests and those of you who came out to help us make our 5th anniversary an extra special day! We had a fantastic day last Saturday, and could not have wished for better weather. Check out our flickr photo stream for some highlights of the day; just click on the flickr badge in the sidebar. |
We have 5 more outdoor market days left this season, so come on out and take advantage of all the great produce and other products available. And if you are a Thanksgiving traditionalist and are planning to cook a classic Thanksgiving meal, come to market and get all your food needs here. And place an order for turkey and pumpkin pie!
Turkeys - Both the Webers and Field Sparrow Farms have turkeys. If you want to secure a bird for your festivities, please put your order in now. The birds will be selling for $6/lb, and are free-range, GMO and antibiotic free! For Field Sparrow Farms contact info[at]fieldsparrowfarms.ca. For Webers Natural Meats phone 519-353-4113. Alternatively you can place your order at the market this Saturday for pick up on Oct. 8.
Pies - If you don't want to make your own, order a pie from Saucier Foods at the market this week or by contacting info[at]saucierfoods.com by Wednesday Oct. 5. Or pick up one of these pies from LPK’s Culinary Groove available at market on Oct. 8: Apple Spice (vegan, gluten-free), Butternut Squash (gluten-free), Pumpkin (gluten-free), and pumpkin spice cupcakes (vegan & gluten-free) – all made with produce from their farmer friends at the markets. To place an order with LPK's call 416-461-6440, or e-mail info[at]lpksculinarygroove.com by Tuesday Oct. 4.
The Riverdale Food Working Group is back, and so is This Ain't Your Mama's Bread with a special seasonally inspired pumpkin spice French toast! Brian Hamlin (honey) returns on Oct. 8.
The Riverdale Food Working Group is our Mason jar recycling depot. You can either drop them off at their booth at the market, or arrange a pick-up if you have too many. It's not too late to participate in the Edible Container Garden Photo Contest! Please visit Toronto Balconies Bloom for details; submission deadline is Sept. 30.
FOR THE KIDS: We are doing a fall lacing craft this week to help kids practice their lacing and create a beautiful fall leaf at the same time.
SPECIAL GUESTS:
- Story Time at 10:30 with staff from the Pape Library.
- Japan Martial Arts Centre kids karate demo at 11 a.m. (rain date - Oct. 15).
- Naturopathic Doctor Lisa Weeks has just move to the neighbourhood and would like to introduce her services by taking blood pressure readings, doing acupuncture demonstrations and free 10-minute introductory sessions, as well as Chinese medicine tongue and pulse diagnoses.
SEPTEMBER
updated September 23, 2011
 beautiful garlic braids made by Prapti & Fanny from Small Potatoes/Au Bon Hectare |
Fresh produce highlights for this week are: spinach, winter squashes, salad mix & arugula, corn, a fresh batch of green, red & savoy cabbages, leeks, pears, grapes, wild blueberries, plums, raspberries, apples, peaches, more tomatoes, onions, eggplant, potatoes in many colours & sizes, shallots, chard, kale, garlic, beets, green, yellow, & striped beans, carrots, multi-coloured hot & sweet peppers, ground cherries, zucchini, okra, colourful flower bouquets and much much more (like Monforte Dairy grilled cheese sandwiches). |
For a full visual feast of the season check out our flickr photo stream; just click on the flickr badge in the sidebar (we try posting new pics weekly!).
Both LPK's Culinary Groove and the Good Food Conspiracy Co. are back at market this Sat.! But This Ain't Your Mama's (gluten free) Bread is away until Oct. 8, and the RFWG is missing this market day as well.
This market day we are celebrating our 5th anniversary & harvest fest! Our confirmed guests so far include:
- Lost Rivers - meet at the market table at noon for a tour of lost waterways of Riverdale, join a search for mystery edible weeds and hear about the history of farming in the area.
- Pasta Making Demo - join neighbour and local food enthusiast Michael John from 10:30 a.m. on and learn how to make your own fresh egg pasta. It's fun, it's cheap, it's delicious! (Michael will use eggs from the Webers and flour from St. John's Bakery.)
- Fresh Food Drive for the Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre’s emergency food bank - monetary donations and non-perishable food items are also welcome!
- Meet the Provincial candidates for Toronto-Danforth - We are going out on a limb this election year, and have invited all main party candidates to answer your questions and concerns. Confirmed so far are Peter Tabuns - NDP (11 a.m.), Tim Whalley - Greens, and Marisa Sterling - Liberal.
- Sustain Ontario & Vote ON Food - don't know what to ask this year's Provincial election candidates? Sustain Ont has some suggestions.
- Canadian Organic Growers - Toronto Chapter - find out the latest development on the organics front.
- Transition Toronto - find out about the Transition Town movement.
- 29 Bikes - loads of info about city cycling.
- Big Carrot Green Roof - learn about this new and exciting community space.
- Friends of Withrow Park – sign up to adopt a tree for the spring and summer watering team 2012.
- Master Gardeners – plants need good autumn care; find out what you need to know to give them a good start for next year.
- Leslieville-Riverdale Tree Project - learn about how you can get a free tree for your front yard and help scrub the air in our neighbourhood.
- WAM - the Withrow Art Market Collective will be presented by jewellers Breeze Romain (Ecofinery), Barbara Showler-Lewis, Chrissy Dimillo, Pamela Kearns (Peyote Dreams), and Isabellah Nganga (African beaded adornments); potter Lynn Heath; Pamela Shuller (masks); wood artist Catherine Thomas (the Woodlot); textile designers Dawn Barberi (re-purposed fabrics), Alice Hiller (Bipppity Bop - aprons & baby bibs), and Lisa Dickie (Coy Clothes).
Weather permitting, mask maker Pamela Schuller will have a community table set up where you can build masks together. This is an all ages activity; you can help prepare the materials, shape the masks, or paint them, it all depends on your skill level and what you like doing.
We are finally having our garlic day - learn about the many varieties available to the home gardener and how to grow your own with members of the Green Oasis Garden on Broadview and the Big Carrot Green Roof.
For the kids: This week kids will be making personalized bookmarks, and also have the chance to colour some pictures designed by our very own Yuki!
All of this will be set to the musical background of Leigh Robinson’s hammered dulcimer (weather permitting).
The Riverdale Food Working Group is our Mason jar recycling depot. You can either drop them off at their booth at the market, or arrange a pick-up if you have too many. The group has posted its new canning workshop date. It's also not too late to participate in the Edible Container Garden Photo Contest! Please visit Toronto Balconies Bloom for details; submission deadline is Sept. 30.
But that’s not it… Withrow Park will be the hub of activity this day: as we start packing up the Broadview Community Youth Group will be ready with their first ever Kaleidoscope Kids Festival featuring the Monkey Bunch and more.
On Sunday Sept. 25, Project Neutral Riverdale is having a community event with live music, games and activities for the whole family, along with information on how you can reduce your family’s carbon footprint. You’ll find them from 2-6 p.m. in the same area where the market usually is.
Also on Sunday Sept. 25: Toronto's 1st Garlic Festival!
updated September 15, 2011
 autumn colours - Sosnicki Organics |
Bundle up and join us for some hot grilled cheese sandwiches! Sorry, I just found out this morning (Sept. 16) that LPK's Culinary Groove will have to miss another market day, and they and the Good Food Conspiracy Co. will both return Sept. 24. Our musical guest is David Santandrea on classical guitar. |
updated September 8, 2011
The turn of the calendar page to September means just a slight change in the produce line-up, and although we are sad to see August gone, the market outdoor season doesn't end for 2 more months!!!
 and the season keeps on giving: Feast of Fields' fruits |
The cooler night temperatures and less humid days are making great growing conditions for the cool weather crops, and we are seeing the return of lettuce & salad mixes. Other fresh produce highlights for this week are: watermelon, cantaloupe, corn, a fresh batch of cabbages: green, red, savoy, pears, grapes, wild & tame blueberries, plums, raspberries, peaches - yellow & white!, apples, tomatoes, onions, eggplant, potatoes in many colours & sizes, chard, garlic, kale, green, yellow, & striped beans, carrots, multi-coloured hot & sweet peppers, zucchini, ground cherries, okra, colourful flower bouquets and much much more. For a full visual feast of the season check out our flickr photo stream; just click on the flickr badge in the sidebar (we post new pics weekly!). And... here's a link to a nice photo blog about the market on D1SH. |
Brian Hamlin returns with his flavourful mix of rural and urban honey, and Iqbal from 'Potager du Kanada is selling honey from his FarmStart plot of land, too.
ABSENCES: LPK's Culinary Groove will be absent this market day; the gluten free cupcakes and other goodies return Sept. 17. You will have only 2 more opportunities to get some raw food goodness from the Good Food Conspiracy Co.: Sept. 24 and Oct. 1.
The Riverdale Food Working Group had to unexpectedly miss last market day, but will be back this week with its very popular salsa! If you have any empty mason jars, the RFWG is happy to take them. You can either drop them off at their booth at the market, or arrange a pick-up if you have too many. Stay tuned for a new canning workshop date by checking the RFWG web site. It's also not too late to participate in the Edible Container Garden Photo Contest! Please visit Toronto Balconies Bloom for details; submission deadline is Sept. 30.
Monforte Dairy is now serving grilled cheese sandwiches!
FOR THE KIDS: This week the kids will have fun documenting their family tree with construction paper and markers!
UPCOMING FEATURES & EVENTS:
- September 24 - Withrow market B-day party, harvest celebration & garlic day; BCYG Kaleiodscope Festival of Children's Art 1-5 p.m..
- October 29 - Pumpkin carving & Halloween Dress Rehearsal.
IN YOUR COMMUNITY
- Preserving Our Great City - Town Hall: Sunday Sept. 11, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave. Guest speakers: Robert Rotenberg - well known Riverdale Author, Franz Hartmann - Toronto Environmental Alliance, Claire Hopkinson - Toronto Arts Council, Councillor Janet Davis - Ward 31 (Beaches East York), John Campey - Social Planning Council, Anne Pastuszak - Save Riverdale Farm, Liz White - Animal Alliance, Maureen O'Reilly - Our Public Library, and Port Lands Update!
- October 1: Ward 30 Environment Day, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Riverdale Park E.
- Riverdale Library Arts & Letters Club.
updated September 2, 2011
The turn of the calendar page to September means just a slight change in the produce line-up, and although we are sad to see August gone, the market outdoor season doesn't end for 2 more months!!!
 this tablecloth bears the marks of 4 years of kids getting crafty at market |
The cooler night temperatures and less humid days are making great growing conditions for the cool weather crops, and we are seeing the return of lettuce & salad mixes. Other fresh produce highlights for this week are: watermelon, cantaloupe, corn, grapes, wild & tame blueberries, plums, raspberries, peaches - yellow & white!, tomatoes, onions, eggplant, potatoes in many colours & sizes, chard, garlic, kale, green, yellow, & striped beans, carrots, peppers, zucchini, ground cherries, okra, flowers and much much more. For a full visual feast of the season check out our flickr photo stream; just click on the flickr badge in the sidebar (we post new pics weekly!). |
You will have only 3 more opportunities to get some raw food goodness from the Good Food Conspiracy: this Saturday, Sept. 24, and Oct. 1. Zeljko is manning the booth solo and bringing a full spread including their Blue Period Pie - a Picasso-esque creation to mark the melancholic end of summer with blueberries, crab-apples and elderberries.
ABSENCES: Both Brian Hamlin (honey) and Danbrie Farms (maple syrup) are away this market day, but both are returning Sept. 10. Although we announced that you would have a chance to get maple syrup every market day throughout September, Jay informed us of a slight change in schedule and this statement will be true as of Sept. 10. But if you do need honey this market day, Potager du Kanada's Iqbal has been bringing some of his farm honey. LPK's Culinary Groove will be absent this market day and Sept. 10. The gluten free cupcakes and other goodies return Sept. 10.
The Riverdale Food Working Group has now its very popular salsa for sale! If you have any empty mason jars, the RFWG is happy to take them. You can either drop them off at their booth at the market, or arrange a pick-up if you have too many.
Sol Maya coffee lovers listen up: Andres is back!
FOR THE KIDS: The kids can make rain sticks with recycled materials.
Our MARKET GUESTS this Sat. are:
- a surprise... sorry, can't tell you more, otherwise it wouldn't be a surprise.
AUGUST
posted August 25, 2011
It's been a sad start to the week. Jack Layton's passing was shocking particularly since he was out and about in the neighbourhood so much and was visible at so many community events. Whether you liked his politics or not, most will likely agree that he was a great neighbour who will be much missed. If you don't plan to go to his memorial service this Saturday, you might want to bring a blanket to Riverdale Park and pay tribute to the man by watching the orange glow from the CN Tower.
 this is all that's left of Haystrom Farm's watermelon purchased last Saturday |
Fresh produce highlights for this week are: watermelon, cantaloupe, corn, wild & tame blueberries, plums, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, tomatoes,onions, eggplant, potatoes, chard, garlic, kale, green, yellow, & striped beans, carrots, peppers, zucchini, ground cherries, okra, edamame beans, pears, flowers and much much more. Brian Hamlin is back this week with honey, and Danbrie Farms was so delighted about the warm welcome he received returning to market that he'll attend every market day with maple syrup from here on until at least the end of September. |
The Riverdale Food Working Group will finally have some of its very popular salsa! If you have any empty mason jars, the RFWG is happy to take them. You can either drop them off at their booth at the market, or arrange a pick-up if you have too many.
Sol Maya coffee lovers listen up: Andres will be away from the market on August 27. So if for your market browsing you need a cup of Joe in hand, you will have to bring your own.
FOR THE KIDS: The kids can make a fabulous natural all-wood flower craft with pine cones and popsicle sticks, which they can decorate with brightly coloured paints.
Our MARKET GUEST again this Sat. is Project Neutral - Riverdale - you will be able to chat with a PNR representative most market days until the end of the season.
Our 3rd Market Goodies Giveaway winner was Sylvia Ng who got an overflowing market bag with more than $80 worth in goodies! Congratulations Sylvia!!
A message to musicians: if you live in the neighbourhood and like to jam, bring it to the market! Non or minimally amplified classical, folk or pop music, vocal or acoustic, is welcome, but let me know you want to grace market folks with your music: info[at]withrowpark.ca.
posted August 18, 2011
 sweet corn grown by Erin Wood |
Fresh produce highlights for this week are: corn, wild blueberries, tomatoes, peaches, plums, onions, eggplant, potatoes, blackberries, chard, garlic, kale, green, yellow, & striped beans, carrots, peppers, zucchini, ground cherries, okra, flowers and much much more. Brian Hamlin is taking a break this week, and Danbrie Farms returns with maple syrup. Sol Maya coffee lovers listen up: Andres will be away from the market on August 27. If you are getting low on coffee, get it this coming market day! For the kids: this Saturday kids will be able to capture their summer moments in a memories book. Staff from the Pape library is also coming for story time. |
Don't miss this week's MARKET GOODIES GIVEAWAY, at 11 a.m. You could walk away with a market bag full of marvelous food!
Our SPECIAL GUESTS this market day are:
Project Neutral - Riverdale - you will be able to chat with a PNR representative most market days until the end of the season.
A couple of members of the WAM (Withrow Art Market) collective will be displaying and selling their crafts.
Nia like there's no tomorrow with Jenn Hicks at 11:30.
And... there will be a surprise!
Music: Leigh Robinson on hammered dulcimer.
posted August 11, 2011
 okra - Potager du Kanada |
Fresh produce highlights for this week are: corn, wild blueberries, tomatoes, peaches, broccoli, plums, basil, onions, potatoes, chard, garlic, kale, green, yellow, & striped beans, carrots, peppers, zucchini, fennel, okra, flowers and much much more. Sosnicki Organics were in the news! Check it out here. Danbrie Farms is taking a break this week, and Brian Hamlin is back with honey. For the kids: this Saturday we'll be doing mini puppets with recycled materials. Kids can decorate with wool, paints and add their personal touch! Our SPECIAL GUEST this market day is: Project Neutral - Riverdale - you will be able to chat with a PNR representative most market days until the end of the season. |
posted August 4, 2011
 Saucier Foods' pecan tarts - now you see them, now you don't... |
Fresh produce highlights for this week are: wild blueberries, apricots, peaches, tomatoes, broccoli, beets, oodles of basil, potatoes, green onions, garlic, chard, kale, green, yellow, & striped beans, peppers, carrots, zucchini, okra, fennel, flowers and much much more. Coming soon: CORN! Danbrie Farms returns to market with maple syrup this week. Brian Hamlin is back with honey next week. For the kids: personalized necklaces made with spaghetti string, wooden beads, and (most fun of all) decorated with a mini person (made from a wooden clothespin). Music: Classical guitarist David Santandrea (weather permitting). |
Our SPECIAL GUESTS this market day are:
Project Neutral - Riverdale - you will be able to chat with a PNR representative most market days until the end of the season.
In your community:
Taste of the Danforth - Aug. 5 to Aug. 7
JULY
posted July 28, 2011
 the start of something beautifully delicious - tomatoes are here! |
Fresh produce highlights for this week are: raspberries, blueberries, apricots, sweet & plump mulberries, peaches, tomatoes, broccoli, beets, oodles of basil, potatoes, green onions, garlic, chard, kale, green, yellow, & striped beans, peppers, carrots, zucchini and much much more. David Hamlin returns with honey this Saturday. Danbrie Farms returns to market with maple syrup on August 6. Unfortunately This Ain't Your Mama's Bread and the Good Food Conspriracy Co. are skipping this market day. For the kids: the ever so popular painted egg carton caterpillars & bugs! Music: Bach in the park with Frances Murray on cello. |
Our SPECIAL GUESTS this market day are:
Jeremy Seguinot, neighbour, chef and market friend will do a cooking demo at 10:30 (weather permitting). On the menu: a spontaneous seasonal, but delicious surprise.
posted July 21, 2011
 Feast of Fields apricots - they are oh so sweet and delicious... |
The winner of our 3rd Market Goodies Giveaway is Sally Bryant who won $67 in market produce! Our next draw is in August! Fresh produce highlights for this week are: raspberries, blueberries, apricots, sweet & plump mulberries, peas, broccoli, beets, salad greens, potatoes, green onions and garlic, chard, kale, beans, garlic scapes, green beans, carrots, zucchini and much much more. David Hamlin returns with honey on July 30. Danbrie Farms returns to market with maple syrup on August 6. For the kids: wind chimes made with recycled keys - great for practicing knots! Music: David Santandrea with smooth sounds on classical guitar. |
Our SPECIAL GUESTS this market day are:
Jeremy Seguinot, neighbour, chef and market friend will do a cooking demo at 10:30 (weather permitting). On the menu: a spontaneous seasonal, but delicious surprise.
WAM – Withrow Art Market! Our artistic neighbours return by popular demand! Catherine Thomas from The Woodlot (bird houses & more made with reclaimed wood), Dawn Barbieri (pillows & fabric items), Breeze Romaine and Barb Showler-Lewis (recycled & beaded jewellery).
posted July 22, 2011
LAST MINUTE CHANGES:
Squirmy Wormy had to cancel due to the heat, since it could harm and possibly even kill the worms; sorry.
posted July 14, 2011
Try your luck at our 3rd Market Goodies Giveaway! Fill out a ballot, deposit it by 11 a.m. at the market info table, and stick around for the draw (at 11 a.m.). Last month’s winner received over $60 worth in goodies!
Fresh produce highlights for this week are: raspberries, blueberries, peas, broccoli, beets, salad greens, potatoes, green onions and garlic, chard, kale, radishes, garlic scapes, green beans, carrots and much more.
For the kids: our craft team will be making thread bobbin snakes using recycled bobbins. Last week's craft was thread bobbin stamp art.
Music: Leigh Robinson with historic sounds on the hammered dulcimer.
The Riverdale Meadow Community Garden - coming with some special stuff this week: black cap raspberries (grown right here just east of the Don River) and raspberry vinegar. The garden is raising funds to keep growing.
Jennifer Hicks and low impact Nia moves from 11:30 to 12:30.
Thai massages ($1 per minute – max of 10 minutes) with Still Light Centre.
posted July 8, 2011
 Weber's summer sausage; photo: Anna Prior |
It must be summer: Feast of Fields orchards returns this Saturday with RASPBERRIES, CHERRIES, BLUEBERRIES (wild & highbush)!!! David Hamlin returns with honey on July 16. Danbrie Farms returns to market with maple syrup on August 6. FYI... handy food guide to take shopping: The Dirty Dozen & Clean 15. |
Fresh produce highlights for this week are: peas, peas, peas! Broccoli, beets, lettuces and salad mixes, potatoes, green onions and garlic, chard, kale, radishes, garlic scapes and more.
You can find delicious garlic-scape pesto recipes (and pretty much anything your taste buds desire) at Tastespotting.
The Sol Maya Cafe is bringing cold drinks to the market: iced mocha and iced hibiscus tea. A good accompaniment to one of the delicious baked goods from Saucier Foods, LPK's Culinary Groove, St. John's Bakery or This Ain't Your Mama's Bread.
Our SPECIAL GUEST this market day is Transition Toronto. Worried about peak oil, or just want to chat about a more energy resilient Toronto? Transition Toronto members are happy to talk with you about concerns, solutions, and all else peak oil related. Start with small steps in your own kitchen: free worm composting demo!.
For the kids: our craft team will be making thread bobbins snakes using recycled bobbins. We are also expecting a visit from Spider Man for a sing-along from 10:30 to 11:30.
Music: brought to you on this fine market day by David Santandrea on classical guitar.
posted July 1, 2011
Sosnicki Organics are bringing to market "the first trickle of field Beets, lots of big bunches of Kale, lots of Lettuces, PEAS, peas and more peas! Also we have Garlic Scapes that have to move! Ben will be selling bulk for a great price to encourage some raw scape pesto makin'! Will be sending the recipe cards with him to give out to all!! Fields are very weedy - thankful our workers arrive tomorrow night! Now some serious field work will get done!”
The Fresh Veggies are bringing 3 sorts of peas "Crunchy Snow, Sweet Sugar Snaps, and plain old English garden shelling peas. Salad Mix of vibrant colors and flavors. 3 Super food greens Spinach, Swiss Chard and Kale. Our famous baby red onions, they are tasty and sweet, just add a dash of Balsamic Vinegar, Olive oil, salt and pepper, grill them 2 minutes each side. Best flavors in any salad or side dish, or use them raw in Potato Salad. Green Garlic and Garlic Scapes: saute, stir fry, make pesto or pickle them in balsamic vinegar and a dash of salt. You do not want to miss these simple pleasures of Spring; they wont last long, so come early.”
You can find delicious garlic-scape pesto recipes (and pretty much anything your taste buds desire) on Tastespotting.
The Sol Maya Cafe is bringing cold drinks to the market: iced mocha and iced hibiscus tea.
CANCELLATIONS: Our vendors have lives that sometimes take them away from the market! Are they human, or what? The Good Food Conspirators are taking a body and mental health break, and the Webers have a family gathering. Both This Ain't Your Mama's Bread and LPK's Culinary Groove had deaths in their families; our thoughts are with them.
There may be no Webers, but there is plenty of choice in cuts of meat from Field Sparrow Farms.
For the kids: origami boats - simple and fun in the kiddie pool; also face painting with Jungle!
Music: brought to you this Saturday by Leigh Robinson on his hammered dulcimer (weather permitting).
Happy long Canada Day weekend, hope you’ll spend part of it with us, rain or shine!
In Your Community:
Withrow Park Area Community Safety Walk with 55 Division & Parks Staff - Wednesday July 6
Our local councillor Paula Fletcher received a number of calls and letters from concerned neighbours about recent acts of violence in and around Withrow Park, and is organizing a safety walk in response. If you would like to join please meet at the Withrow Park Club House at 8 p.m.
JUNE
posted June 23, 2011
 mmm... the snappy sweetness of summer peas |
Mesey's delicious Ethiopian Vegetarian is back! New farmer Potager du Kanada is joining us this Saturday June 25, and Feast of Fields orchards will be back in early July. David Hamlin returns with honey on July 16. Saucier Foods is continuing with his ready-to-eat market repertoire, and Monforte Dairy and This Ain't Your Mama's Bread are getting some of their own pret-a-manger items on the market menu: TAYM'sB will commence with gluten free, vegan French toast this Saturday; Monforte Dairy will start serving grilled cheese sandwiches in July. |
LAST MINUTE CHANGES: Urban Harvest had to cancel due to staffing issues; Danbrie Farms (maple syrup) had to cancel due to car troubles (Danbrie Farms is returning on July 2, and then again on July 30, due to a vacation).
Nia with Jennifer Hicks at 11:30 a.m.!
We present to you Vide Geiger on guitar and vocals this market day!
SPECIAL GUEST: Joining us for a repeat visit this market day is Greenpeace, celebrating its 40th anniversary by selling a rare concert double-CD featuring Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and the late Phil Ochs called Amchitka, the 1970 concert that launched Greenpeace. Proceeds from CD sales are going in support of Greenpeace and its campaigns.
Sitting in for our creative market craft team is staff from the Broadview Community Youth Group with face painting and crafty things to do!
posted June 16, 2011
Join us this Saturday, June 18 for a composting demo with the Riverdale Food Working Group's Glenn Munroe, master composter with 30 years of experience. The demo will cover topics from backyard composting to wormeries and compost tea; 10 a.m. at the market info tent.
Project Neutral Launch: Get Cool. Get Neutral. Do it in RIVERDALE.
Riverdale has been selected as a pilot neighbourhood for Project Neutral, and if you are within the following boundaries then your household is invited to take part: Danforth on the north, both sides of Logan on the west (including Frankland School), both sides of Langley Avenue on the south, and both sides of Pape on the east.
What's in it for you? Besides making history, your household will learn how to significantly REDUCE YOUR ENERGY AND TRANSPORTATION BILLS and REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT, among many other benefits.
Information Session: Frankland Community Centre, 816 Logan Avenue, Sat. June 18, 1 p.m.
Refreshments will be served. We are looking forward to meeting you! Visit http://www.projectneutral.org for more information.
The Friends of Withrow Park are inviting you to a community burdock pull this Saturday June 18, from 9-11 a.m.! If you don't know what burdock is, your memory will be instantly refreshed if you have kids or dogs who've come home mid-summer with sticky burrs in their hair, clothes and fur. If you'd like to participate, meet up at 9 a.m. in the off-leash dog area.
Movies in the Park is kicking off their outdoor screening season with Edward Scissorhands on Sunday June 19. See here for details.
posted June 8, 2011
We had a fantastic and absolutely gorgeous day for our market opening. To re-live the day or if you've missed it, just click on the flickr badge in the sidebar. On the other hand, we had a cold and wet market day #3 on June 4. Suffice it to say that we miss you when it rains.
Rejoining us this Saturday, June 11, is the Fresh Veggies with salad mix, green onions and garlic. Danbrie Farms is returning with maple syrup for a 2nd weekend in a row, and is starting a rotation schedule with Brian Hamlin's honey.
Our SPECIAL GUEST this market day is Greenpeace, celebrating its 40th anniversary by selling a rare concert double-CD featuring Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and the late Phil Ochs called Amchitka, the 1970 concert that launched Greenpeace. Proceeds from CD sales are going in support of Greenpeace and its campaigns.
posted June 2, 2011
Returning this Saturday (June 4) are Monforte Dairy with a lovely selection of cheeses, crackers, and ice-cream later in the summer, Danbrie Farms with maple syrup, The Good Food Conspiracy Co. with imaginative and tasty raw food dishes, and Mesey's Ethiopian Vegetarian Food. Rejoining us are Urban Harvest with a diverse selection of veg and herb seedlings, and Brian Hamlin with honey.
Due to vehicle troubles Haystrom Farms will sadly miss this market day.
Our SPECIAL PRODUCT FEATURE is: all natural laundry detergent by The Laundry Tarts - a unique planet friendly company offering a funky spin cycle on everyday laundry products offering a fun and safe alternative to commercial products. Their menu of scents includes Plain Jane, key lime pie, black forest cake, cinnamon bun, and many many more.
The Riverdale Historical Society and Susan Baker of Royal LePage Urban Realty present the 20th Annual Greater Riverdale Street Sale taking place on Simpson, Victor, Langley, Riverdale, Withrow and Bain on Saturday June 4, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; rain date Sunday, June 5. If you are unable to host a sale you can donate items for sale to the Riverdale Historical Society. All funds raised by the Society will be used to purchase Heritage Toronto plaques for the Riverdale community. Items can be dropped off at 59 Withrow on the evening of June 3rd or contact the historical society to make arrangements riverdalehistoricalsociety@sympatico.ca. For all other information please call Susan Baker at 416-465-1944 or susan@riverdaleshare.com.
Also this weekend: the 13th annual Riverdale Art Walk; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
On Wednesday June 8 the Reach Sudbury School of Toronto invites you and your kids to a Discussion and Play Date; 6:30-8:30 p.m., Withrow Park, north end by the enclosed playground. See http://www.reachsudbury.ca/ for more information.
MAY and earlier
posted May 16, 2011
Swing into Spring: May 21!
Are we keeping you in suspense about our plans for market opening day? You are not alone! Being a farmer can also be a very suspenseful existence. Every year is a bit different, and in many ways it's the weather that decides what will be planted when, and ready for harvest. What we can tell you right now, though, is that you better plan a weekend meal with asparagus, because we'll have plenty!
If you want to grow your own edibles there will be loads of veggie & herb seedlings to choose from, and we'll have native plants, too! After all, it is the gardening season...
Bring buckets, bags, bike trailers or wheelbarrows to take away free City compost courtesy of councillor Paula Fletcher!
Need advice on what to do with the compost, native plants, veggie and herb seedlings? Toronto Master Gardeners will provide the answers!
photo: Anna Prior
Other special guests include:
- YUF CSA (Young Urban Farmers CSA)
- Canadian Organic Growers - Toronto
- Riverdale Meadow Community Garden
- Urban Harvest
- Riverdale Historical Society
- North American Native Plant Society
Musical ambiance provided by Mark Cassidy.
Also joining us are the Friends of Withrow Park. Find out about the group's projects & how you can participate!
There will be activities for kids, too: face painting (provided by staff from the Broadview Community Youth Group), and crafts.
New this season is our monthly market goodies give-away: come to market, fill out an entry form, and keep your fingers crossed. Your first chance to win is this coming Sat. May 21 at noon. The next opportunity to participate will be announced in June.
Come and join us in welcoming back our wonderful vendors, and take away fresh baked goods and treats, prepared foods and preserves, honey, maple syrup, meat and more!
updated April 25, 2011
Because every day is earth day it is worth considering our daily actions towards a better and healthier environmental future. A natural thing to ask would be 'what environmentally and socially beneficial choice can I make today?', and sometimes the answer will be to do with less or even to do without. Earth Day Canada has a campaign centred on doing without to keep the world turning for generations to come, and you can participate here: http://www.earthday.ca/giveitup/.
Winter home delivery services:
If you got hooked on Saucier Foods' prepared entrees, pies, and tarts, you can get them delivered to your home over the winter! To find out how, visit http://www.saucierfoods.com/ and click on the Home Delivery button.
Spoiled by the freshness and taste of Sol Maya coffee over the summer? There's a solution: Andres also does home deliveries to market customers. Visit http://cafesolmaya.com/Site/Home.html to find out how to get yours.
In Your Community:
updated March 15, 2011
Is it too early to start thinking about spring cleaning? The Friends of Withrow Park don't think so, and are planning a City Clean-up Day for April 16th. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; garbage bags and gloves will be provided to volunteers. For details on how to participate visit http://www.friendsofwithrowpark.blogspot.com/.
Ooh, there's never a lack of good causes to support... A new and exciting international NGO is working to bring food and fun to disabled kids in Africa, but, as you might guess, need funds so they can deliver their programs. To introduce themselves Challenged Kids International (CKi) is hosting a special fundraising event on Saturday March 26th from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Gladstone Hotel. To learn more about CKi's mission and vision, and about their gardening projects with kids in Accra, Ghana, visit http://www.challengedkids.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=55.
updated Jan. 21, 2011
Withrow Park has friends! "Friends of" park groups are a great way to give coordinated public input into improvements of their green spaces. Whether it's replacing old trees or adding to the canopy, improving playground equipment or adding more picnic tables and benches, the planting of flower gardens, the addition of food focused features like farmers' markets, community gardens, or barbecue pits, or the organizing of community events in the park, "Friends of" groups can be a bridge between local needs and City bureaucracy.
The Friends of Withrow Park are looking forward to work with their neighbours and Parks staff to keep our park beautiful and green, and are starting by organizing meetings and community events. If you would like to get involved or if you just want to know what is happening in Withrow Park visit http://www.friendsofwithrowpark.blogspot.com/.
Active Kids Club at Withrow Park: “please join our outdoor playgroup for children ages 1-6 in Withrow park every Monday afternoon 1:30-3:00pm, by the small unfenced playground. You can see what we are up to and sign up to get updates on our group at http://www.activekidsclub.com/ under Withrow. We hope to see you there for lots of fun!”
Content last modified on April 19, 2012, at 12:11 PM EST