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About the Market | Latest Market News | Latest Food News | A Taste of the Market | Vendor Listing

About Dufferin Grove Farmers' Market

Every Thursday 3:00-7:00 all year around

Outdoors around the rinkhouse in summer; in and around the rinkhouse in winter.

Location Click here to view a map. Dufferin Grove Park rink house (875 Dufferin, S of Bloor), across from the Dufferin Mall. The rink house is in the northwest corner of the park, just off Dufferin. The closest subway stop is Dufferin Station (one block north). The Dufferin buses, both northbound and southbound, stop every three minutes right outside the rink house. Contact Phone: 416-392-0913 | email market@dufferinpark.ca Parking posted February 25, 2007 You are very likely to get a ticket if you park illegally on Dufferin Park Ave., the little street leading into the park. Please obey the signs. Just a short walk away, across from St. Mary's High School on the north side of the park, there are special signs allowing parking on Thursdays for market hours. Please use those spots or other legal ones in the area. See satellite image.

Map of Farms See our map of farms that come to the Dufferin Grove Farmers' Market.   Email Subscription Anyone who wants to be on the weekly market notes e-mail list can subscribe by filling in the form (very simple). For some views of the market, see the Berman Photo Gallery , Pinkus Gallery.   See the Toronto Farmers' Market Network website: tfmn.ca

Latest Market News 2011

posted August 5, 2011

Farmers' Costs to Attend Toronto Markets

Vendor sales can range from $100/market for small-scale city-based vendors to several thousand per day for larger produce farms at peak season. In general, it is not considered economically viable for a farmer to come into the city for sales of less than $1,000, but many farmers have made investments in developing customer bases at small or new markets in Toronto where sales are lower, counting on longer-term success. While higher sales numbers can sound like a lot of profit, here are some things to bear in mind:

For produce farms, production costs (seeds, fertilizers and soil amendments (organic or conventional), irrigation equipment, machinery & repairs, temperature-controlled storage/washing/packing facilities, insurance, interest on farm loans, on-farm labour for cultivating, planting, weeding, harvesting, etc.) make up about 70% of the final price of produce at market.

For meat farms, sales volume is generally lower than for produce, and production costs are somewhat different, for example: a year of labour, fencing, shelter, veterinary and feed costs to raise calves to maturity, shipping and butchering costs ($45/animal plus approximately .45/lb to cut and wrap), staff to stay behind feeding animals. In the end, the total is again about 70% of the retail price at market.

So, for each $1,000 in sales, a farmer has $300 to cover all 'going-to-market' costs. These include:

1) Time (not including harvest, washing and packing in crates): in addition to market hours, 1.5 to two hours loading and unloading the truck on-farm, on average two hours travel at each end, plus 1.5 setup and .5 cleanup at the market, so a 4 hour market takes approximately 12 hours labour for two or more people. (Estimating the cost to the farm of having the farmer absent at peak season is harder.)

2) Gas and vehicle wear & tear: current estimates for a truck are .75-$1/km travelled, so for even the closest farms, over $100/market in travel round-trip. For farmers coming in from Niagara/Prince Edward County and other areas farther from Toronto, costs are substantially higher.

3) Equipment and supplies: tents, tables, signs, weigh scales, hand trucks, other display equipment, coolers and ice if needed, baskets, bags

4) Fees: markets charge about $25/week in table fees (or sometimes more) to each vendor to cover insurance, permit fees, some promotion, at-market equipment and manager/support staff time. Most farms also pay an extra premium on their own insurance to cover them at market.

Markets typically run for about 22 weeks, though some continue through the winter, with lower sales volume. Whatever the farmer earns at peak season must cover their expenses for much longer, and provide a buffer against crop failures; as well, for every top-notch day (eg/ peak of strawberry season) there will be slower ones, including days when inclement weather results in poor customer turnout but expenses must still be covered.

Why do they come? Farmers may work out an overall plan (participating in two markets in different parts of the city by dropping product and family/staff at one and attending the other, balancing production for a CSA (weekly box share program) with sales at markets, using direct sales as an alternative to the collapse in opportunity that occurred following mad-cow fears, combining deliveries to stores or restaurants with a trip to market...) that helps to reduce the risks and makes attending markets more viable. They also value the direct feedback, interaction and promotional value of markets. However, after calculating their expenses, it is easy to see that farmers must manage all aspects of their operations expertly to make a profit, and any trend towards higher costs would make it impossible to earn a living.

Toronto Farmers' Market Network, August 2011

From Lorenz Eppinger, Greenfields Organic Farm: Please send to your federal MP and pass on to others before Feb 8.

(This letter came from Arnold Taylor, President of the Saskatchewan Organic Directorate. He has been a major supporter of two Saskatchewan farmers' plight against the major corporation Monsanto.)

Dear
I strongly urge you to vote in favour of Bill C-474, an Act respecting the Seeds Regulations (analysis of potential harm) on February 9, 2011 and to speak during the debate on the bill on February 8, 2011. The text of the bill is as follows:

An Act respecting the Seeds Regulations (analysis of potential harm) Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
1. This Act may be cited as the Seeds Regulations Act.
2. The Governor in Council shall, within 60 days after this Act comes into force, amend the Seeds Regulations to require that an analysis of potential harm to export markets be conducted before the sale of any new genetically engineered seed is permitted.

Bill C-474 is needed in order to protect all farmers, organic and non-organic alike, from the market impacts of genetically engineered crops. Had Bill C-474 been in place prior to the release of genetically engineered canola, we might still be able to grow certified organic canola on the Prairies, and European’s might still be purchasing Canadian canola and canola meal. All flax farmers might have been spared the millions of dollars of losses caused by the GE Triffid flax contamination crisis. Canadian alfalfa growers are very concerned about losing their best export markets as a result of the contamination that would surely happen if GE alfalfa is approved for sale in Canada, as it recently was in the USA. Market losses that would result from contamination if GE wheat were introduced would be in the billions of dollars. Future genetically engineered crops are predicted to contain industrial traits for biofuel feedstocks and drugs for pharmaceutical crops. Contamination of our food plants with these traits would most certainly damage, or even destroy markets for Canadian food crops.

Canadian farmers should be protected from market impacts of GE contamination of their fields and farms so they can contribute to providing the kind of wholesome, non-genetically engineered food that the public at home and in our export markets are increasingly demanding.

Please stand with Canadian farmers and consumers and support this important bill.

Sincerely,

Read More Market News >>

Food News 2012

Leap into our HOP
Party to find out more!

February 29, 2012, at 7 pm

Join organic farmer Shane Eby in an intimate setting for an evening of visuals and conversation all about hops.

Click on poster for more information.

Read more Food News >>

A Taste of the Market -- Every Week

posted August 5, 2011

Hungry? There's always a bit of food to try or snack on at the market. Menus vary according to the season, but here are some examples:

• Sweet or Savoury Crepes or burritos from Clement's Crepes
• Sandwiches and Rotis from Fish Shak
• Ice Cream cones from Best Baa
• All-organic, vegan salads and main dishes from The Organic Supper Club
• Park oven focaccia and cinnamon buns
• Hot dogs and tofu dogs
• Hearty soups and salads with slices of park bread
• Treats from Alli's Bakery including samosas, sugar-free cookies, and spicy buns
• Tortillas with a range of fillings and chocolate drinks from Chocosol
• Gluten-free savoury or sweet baking from DeFloured

See the Tasting Fair Photo Gallery.

Vendor Listing

Akiwenzie's Fish: Andrew and Natasha Akiwenzie bring fresh & Smoked Georgian Bay Fish. They have a blog to keep you up to date on fishing conditions and what's new: akiwenziesfish.blogspot.com Contact: Email: akiwenziefish@gmail.com

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Alli's: Organic breads include Sweet Potato, 5-Grain, Potato-Rosemary and Foccacia. Gluten-free products and small edibles, including Jalapeno Screamers, are also available. See Alli's vendor notebook entry Contact: Phone: 416-651-2929

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Bees Universe : John and Irina Alecu keep bees in 10 different yards close to wild flower fields and conservation areas, between Toronto and Barrie. They sell honey, honey comb, bee pollen, propolis (raw and tincture), fresh frozen royal jelly, beeswax candles and also live bees. See the vendor notebook entry

Contact: Phone: 416-819-2337 | Email: office@beesuniverse.com | Website: www.beesuniverse.com

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Beretta Organics (certified organic): Mike and Cynthia Beretta farm in King township, an hour north of Toronto. They bring beef, pork, turkey, chicken and deli items to the market. Pre-orders are accepted up to 1:00 Tuesday. See the vendor notebook entry

Contact: Phone: 416-674-5609 | Website: www.berettaorganics.com | This month's order form: Order Form

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Bestbaa Farm: Peter and Nicole Bzikot offer Plain Yogourt, Maple Yogourt, Feta, Ramembert, Brebettes, Eweda & other cheeses, of course all from sheep milk. Lamb, too. Best Baa will also be scooping many flavours of sheep's milk ice cream throughout the summer.

Contact: Phone: 519-848-5694 | Email: Nicole at nicole.bestbaa@hotmail.com

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ChocoSol : Michael Sacco and Mathieu bring chocolate foods, coffee and more: "ChocoSol is a Learning Community and Social Enterprise rooted in horizontal trading relationships between Southern Ontario and Southern Mexico. We make high quality organic dark chocolate foods fused with local flavours and initiatives. Our chocolate is stone ground fresh, gluten-free and nut-free."

See the vendor notebook entry

Contact: Phone: 416-923-6675 | Website: www.chocosoltraders.com | Email: Michael Sacco at chocosol01@yahoo.ca

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Clement's Crepes : Tim Clément's crépes are hand-spun with organic whole wheat flour, organic free-range eggs, whole milk, sea salt, and ingredients from the market farmers. Both sweet and savoury crépes are served piping hot, with ever-changing seasonal fruit and vegetable fillings, and now there are burritos, too.

Contact: Email: Tim Clement of Clement's Crepes tmaclement@gmail.com

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Country Meadows Gardens (certified organic): Angelos Kapelaris grows heirloom tomatoes, keeps laying hens, presses goat cheese, and brings olives and oil from his family's farm in Greece. See the vendor notebook entry and a Picture Gallery >>

Contact: Phone: 905-478-1201 | Website: www.countrymeadowsorganics.com

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deFloured: Krista Tobias and Chris Brown make 100% gluten-free galettes, loaves, quiches, cookies and brownies that are delicious enough for everyone, featuring a seasonal selection of local and mainly organic ingredients. Contact: deFloured@gmail.com

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Dufferin Grove Bakers community oven bread: (not certified: all flour and seeds and grains are certified organic but the oven is not certified). Breads include: grapeskin-sourdough, rye sourdough, Italian rosemary, Italian olive, artisan 6-grain, artisan pumpkinseed-sesame, raisin and others, along with cinnamon buns and pizzas with market toppings.

Contact: dufferinpark@dufferinpark.ca

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Earthly Paradise:(Fall and Winter) Each plant used in earthly Paradise's products is organically grown by us or sourced from ethical companies that share our vision of a beautiful and bountiful planet. Nourish your skin and your spirit with our products: Creams, Salves, Products for the Face, Teas. Contact Colette Murphy.

Contact: Phone: 416-504-1653 | Email: grow@uharvest.ca | Website: www.earthlyparadise.ca

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Evelyn's Crackers: Dawn Woodward and Ed Rek bring savoury artisanal crackers, named in honour of their daughter, Evelyn, and made with local, organic and fair trade ingredients. They also supply the market with Ontario flour from CIPM farm near Stirling. Contact: Phone: 647-448-0731 | Email: evelynscrackers@gmail.com | Website: www.evelynscrackers.com

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Feast of Fields Farm: near Jordan ON, Demeter-certified since 1996, and now also Local Flavour Plus certified. Laura Sabourin grows grapes, pears, peaches, raspberries, and blackberries. She also makes grape juice and preserves.

Contact: Website: www.feast-of-fields.ca

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Fish Shak: Alli Harris makes wild fish sandwiches and rotis, using many of farmer Ted Thorpe's vegetables throughout the summer. He also blends fresh and healthy juices and other cold drinks.

Contact: Phone: 647-884-7425

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Forbes Wild Foods: (natural wild foods from Canadian sources) -- Jonathan Forbes offers dried wild mushrooms, wild rice, maple sugar, preserved wild foods, jams, mustards, chestnut flour, and more.

Contact: Website: www.wildfoods.ca

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Fun Guy Farms: Bruno Pretti and Paula Vopni are mushroom growers. They have many varieties of fresh mushrooms including shiitake and oyster, as well as mushroom pesto, crackers and Kombucha beverage. All their mushrooms grow on or are cultivated on wood, never on composted animal manures. Contact: Phone: 416-402-9755/416-963-5521 | Email:office@mycosource.com | Website: www.mycosource.com.

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Greenfields Farms (certified organic): Lorenz and Adrian Eppinger have a farm near Guelph which includes a 25-acre market garden. The farm also includes ecologically protected areas and is Bullfrog Powered. In addition to their own produce, Greenfields works with Pfennings, a local, farm-based distributor, to supply the winter market with a selection of imports and produce from other regional farms. See the vendor notebook entry

Contact: To place a special order, Email: greenfields@interhop.net. | Website: www.greenfieldsfarm.ca

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Growing Spaces is owned and operated by Blythe Weber and Adam Smith. Blythe grew up farming with her family near Ayton. The farm is a mixed operation, currently in transition to organic certification. They grow vegetables and fruits on the farm to make the many varieties of chutneys, pickles, jams and other preserves which they bring to the market. Blythe and Adam also help urban dwellers create edible gardens in Toronto.

Contact: Email:info@growingspaces.ca. | Website: www.growingspaces.ca

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Kind Organics: Tamas Dombi, Sandra Dombi and Amber Malek are partners in the co-creation of Kind Organics, originally formed in the year 1999 as a Demeter Certified Bio-Dynamic/Organic Farm in King Township. They are now located 40 minutes north of Toronto in the Holland Marsh. Kind Organics uses organic farming techniques only and is moving towards bio-dynamic farming. They grow Salad Blends, Sprouts, Wheat Grass, Micro Greens, Fine Culinary Herbs, Edible Flowers and various kinds of Baby Greens. Contact: Phone: 416-992-1444 | Email:kindorganics@gmail.com | Website and blog signup: www.kindorganics.ca

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(Colette) Murphy: Spring and Summer, see Urban Harvest. Fall and Winter, see Earthly Paradise

Contact: Phone: 416-504-1653 | Email: earthlyparadise@ca.inter.net | Websites: www.uharvest.ca, www.earthlyparadise.ca.

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Niagara Lavender Farms: Debbie Wiecha is a third-generation fruit farmer who produces a wide variety of tender tree fruits, berries, and lavender. Most crops are certified organic; some peaches are low-spray. Contact: Phone: 905-468-7482 | Email: mailto:niagaralavender@hotmail.com

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Pine River Organic Farm: Bob Felhazi has a large asparagus planting, greenhouses, raspberries, and many varieties of certified organic vegetables on his farm near Alliston. His helper Helga represents him at the market. Contact: Phone: 705-424-0917

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Plan B Organics: in West Flamborough, ON. Melanie Golba and brothers Alvaro and Rodrigo Venturelli have a fifty-acre farm of which 18 -20 acres are used to grow mixed organic vegetables to supply their CSA and markets. Another part of their land is a reforestation project. See the vendor notebook entry

Contact: Phone: 905-659-2572 | Email: planbof@execulink.com | Website: www.planborganicfarms.ca

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Sosnickis Organic Produce, Waterford, ON (south of Brantford): Ben and Jessie Sosnicki grow certified organic wheat, cabbages, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and more. Jessie's family is Ukrainian and Ben's is Polish, so they also sell sauerkraut, perogies, cabbage rolls, and tomato sauce, made with their certified produce. Visit their blog for regular news from the farm: sosnickiorganicproduce.blogspot.com

See the vendor notebook entry | See the picture gallery from June, 2004>> | See the picture gallery from September, 2004>>

Contact: Phone: 519-443-5903 | Email: jb@sosnickiorganics.com | Website: www.sosnickiorganics.com

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Thorpe's Organic Produce: near Millgrove, ON. Ted Thorpe, a fourth-generation Ontario vegetable-farmer, has a 32 acre-farm, of which 20 acres is a market garden. He grows all kinds of vegetables and herbs.

See the vendor notebook entry

Contact: Phone: 905-689-2114.

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Under Ground Organics: Shane Eby, Julia Hitchcock and Dan Riegler grow many herbs and over 100 varieties of cutflowers, from spectacular spring tulips through lupines, foxgloves, sunflowers and others. Great vegetables, too!

See also the photo gallery from September 2008 >>

Contact: Phone: 905-659-6267 | Email: ugo@gofairtrade.net | Website: www.undergroundorganics.net

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Urban Harvest:(Spring and Summer) Urban Harvest is dedicated to providing its customers with seedlings and garden supplies that promote ecological diversity and preserve the health of our planet. Our plant seeds and garden supplies are specially chosen for their qualities by seasoned urban gardeners. All of our seedlings are grown in or near the greater Toronto area to support our local economy. Contact Colette Murphy.

Contact: Phone: 416-504-1653 | Email: grow@uharvest.ca | Website: www.uharvest.ca

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Ying Ying Soy Food: Ming and Christy make many delicious varieties of tofu, using traditional, artisanal methods, and non-GMO soy organically grown by Ontario farmer Marcus Koenig. If you've only eaten supermarket tofu, come taste the difference. Contact: Phone: 905-847-5592 | Website: www.yingyingsoyfood.ca

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