tfmn.ca

September 2010

anne — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:59:33 +0000

After an outstanding summer for growing, September looks full of promise. The market tables will be groaning under the weight of great harvests. Many crops are in earlier than usual, so you can keep enjoying the flavours of summer while adding fall favourites to your menus. Don’t take it all for granted, though…as the nights get cooler and longer, some of those hot weather delights will disappear for another year. Time to feast with friends and put some by as well!

August 2010

anne — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 16:21:58 +0000

Fava beans, elderberries, Green Zebra tomatoes–how often do you find those in the supermarket? This summer’s farmers’ markets are like one big treasure hunt, where you can discover food gems you’ve never tried before! Of course, August’s traditional favourites are coming on strong, too: corn on the cob, peaches, melons, and fat red tomatoes that you just can’t get enough of. Choices for the barbeque are fabulous, and for those who’d rather let someone else do the cooking, there are lots of markets with breakfast, lunch and dinner options right on the spot. Mmm, August is going to be good to the last drop.

July 2010

anne — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:18:06 +0000

With the Canada Day launch of Montgomery’s Inn’s new market, Toronto has another great location to find fresh and delicious foods from farmers and producers. If you aren’t already hooked, this is a wonderful year to develop a market habit; growing conditions have yielded many earlier-than-usual harvests, and produce quality is spectacular. Many markets also feature ‘made in Toronto’ small food businesses with specialties such as gluten-free baking, fairly-traded chocolate, locally roasted coffee and prepared foods to enjoy at the market or take home.

This summer, you could be rewarded for discovering your favourite market! On www.greenbeltfresh.ca, there’s a contest to enter, with 5 prizes of $100 in ‘market bucks’ to spend at the market of your choice. Check it out! The contest closes August 2, 2010.

June 2010

anne — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:29:14 +0000

There’s a great feeling of optimism at the farmers’ markets right now. The weather has been excellent for most farmers’ early crops, customers are enjoying reunions with favourite vendors and favourite market foods, and summer’s full bounty is just around the corner.

Tender, fresh greens of every description are especially delicious right now. Bring along a market salad to your next potluck and your friends will be impressed!

A new market launches this month, at Queen’s Quay Terminal, Wednesdays from 3-7 pm.

May 2010

anne — Mon, 03 May 2010 21:11:33 +0000

Heavenly days of spring are here! Early abundance is coming to markets: asparagus, lovely greens of all description, herbs, fiddleheads and wild leeks (or ramps, if you prefer), great plants to get a head start on the garden, and more each week. Opening day for many of the seasonal markets is this month, so check out our Map of Markets and run, don’t walk, to the freshest food in town!

April 2010

anne — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 18:00:23 +0000

Patience is a virtue, but a hard one to remember at this time of year, as spring takes off and we’re all eager for its amazing flavours. We’re getting going now though, and farmers at year-round markets are bringing us extra-early treats: sunchokes (jerusalem artichokes) freshly dug, baby greens from sun-warmed greenhouses, the first herb and vegetable seedlings to brighten up our windowsills, delicious and abundant sheep’s milk, yogurt and fresh cheeses, maple syrup and more.

Markets are a great place for trying new things, for both customers and producers. As Toronto’s market scene grows, farmers and vendors are expanding their offerings to include more meats and cheeses, an exceptional diversity of vegetables, and new prepared foods that bring together local ingredients with Toronto’s international style. Lucky us!

March 2010

anne — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:18:42 +0000

Can’t see it yet, but spring is on the way, as sap starts to flow in the trees and the days get longer. Many market farmers are planting seeds in their greenhouses now, for early crops or for transplanting into fields.

Don’t give up on eating local while you wait; Toronto’s year-round farmers’ markets have lots to choose from. Check the List of Markets for one or more near you, break out of hibernation and plan a feast with delicious ingredients from our farms!

Photos by Laura Berman, GreenFuse

February 2010

anne — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:55:58 +0000

We asked farmers and market customers “What Makes Your Favourite Market Special?”, and here are a few of their responses:

The friendly vendors!
Markets are a great place to work.
You meet some wonderful customers and great suppliers.
Fresh food every day that tastes great.
Great producers and great people and local.
Relationships - with food, other vendors, patrons.
It reminds me to eat neglected things like celeriac and turnips!
Friendly gossip!!
Learning all of the different types of fruits and veggies!!!

Have you found your favourite market? Help us strengthen our community markets by spreading the word.

Coming up this month, the Toronto Farmers’ Market Network will be at Toronto’s Seedy Saturday on a Sunday! on February 21st.

January 2010

anne — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:51:21 +0000

Lots of great discussion coming up the last weekend of January at the Guelph Organic Conference, where reps. from more than a dozen farmers’ markets will take part in the Farmers’ Market Forum on Saturday and the networking room all weekend!

There’s a new indoor market being tried in Toronto, in the CBC building, Thursdays 10-2:30, once a month until April, beginning January 28th. It’s called the Regional ‘n’ Artisanal market. Read all about it in The Star.

Who says New Year’s Resolutions can’t be fun? You can combine many positive goals at farmers’ markets: healthy eating, support for your local economy, a lower carbon footprint, learning about cooking, nutrition and agriculture, and getting to know more of your neighbours! Visit the List of Markets page for winter schedules.

December 2009

anne — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:18:35 +0000

After a summer that was tough on some farms, fall has been very forgiving, and many farmers coming to Toronto’s year-round markets have a truly impressive array of vegetable choices, with some still coming straight from field to market even as we reach December. As the last harvests wrap up, good storage as well as greenhouses will keep us supplied with abundant local produce. Combine that with well-raised local meats and other market delights and you’ve got great menu options ahead.