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Weekly Market Notes Library

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Weekly Market Notes for January 28, 2010

Hello Market Friends:

We've nearly made it to the end of January, and in the local organic 'scene', that means it's time for the Guelph Organic Conference. With problems in conventional agriculture becoming ever more apparent, this annual gathering represents an important opportunity for people interested in planet-friendly ways of doing things.

Lorenz Eppinger of Greenfields, who will be facilitating one of the workshops for growers, sent along the results of a recent study: genetically engineered (GE) corn, soybeans and cotton have increased use of weed-killing herbicides by 383 million pounds in the U.S. from 1996 to 2008, with 46 percent of the total increase occurring in 2007 and 2008. Now another study reports record low counts of monarch butterflies. Extreme weather may be one reason, but how about all those herbicides wiping out milkweed and everything else that isn't genetically modified to be 'Roundup Ready'? This isn't sounding like progress....
While we're setting up for market, there will be farmers talking about turkeys and the freedom to farm progressively, and over the weekend, there will be workshops, meetings and displays on a wide range of topics, some organized by people you know: Shane Eby of Underground Organics will teach others about eco-grown cut flower production, Jenny Cook and I will be getting together with a gang of market organizers for a forum and weekend-long conversation about how we can strengthen farmers' markets, and as I write this, Bruno Pretto of Fun Guy Farms (who's so busy he has to miss the market) is making 300 tamales with ChocoSol organic corn 'masa' + mushroom filling to bring. Wish us luck, or come on out and have a look around!

Here's the news:

From Colette at Urban Harvest: "Our catalogue is now up on the website at www.uharvest.ca. We have several new varieties of old heirlooms and we are able to offer some larger amounts of many of them for our farmer friends. We are excited to be back at the market on Feb 4th. Can't wait."

Sosnickis report: "New this week is all organic whole wheat perogies! Had some requests for these.Very wholesome and comforting on cold winter days! Both kinds of regular perogies, too. We are happy to be heading into February with 6 of our own crops! Potatoes are plentiful to the point where we will even be able to offer seed potatoes this spring for urban gardens! We have bins of superior whites, reds and yukons left. Beets and especially carrots are plentiful--well, not as plentiful as cabbage! And we've got lots of cooking onions and a bin of celeriac left too. I will definitely get rolling on some blogs in Febuary with lots of pictures of how these veggies are being stored around here. Stay tuned for sauerkraut, which will be available at Dufferin next week!" Jessie and Ben

The Akiwenzies are having truck problems so can't attend this week.

"Hello ChocoSolistas! This week at Dufferin Grove we have a new trial batch of a collaborative effort with a company called Sol Fruit who work directly with growers on a fair trade organic basis. They make beautiful dehydrated fruits, so we will be bringing the first trial batch of our ChocoSol Fruit line! We have made a Spicy Mango bar that will be sold for $5. Also just in, a fresh shipment of Local Hempseed. And if you're in serious need of ChocoSol goodness and are on a tight budget this week, we are bringing our Cacao Goulash (assorted and unique weekly flavour) 1 puck for $3, 5Pucks for $10. Thank you kindly for your ongoing support and smiles throughout the colder season!" Mathieu McFadden

Greenfields news: "It looks like winter is back! Lots of great fruits and veggies available this week. This may be the last week for our Purple Carrots, make sure to come and get some of these beauties before they are gone for the season! All sorts of great Certified Organic produce to be enjoyed as well. See ya there." Mark

Linda at Country Meadows writes: "It's getting colder again but warm & toasty in the greenhouse, lots of tomatoes and other seedlings sprouting."

Sounds promising, doesn't it?

See you at the market!

Anne Freeman

P.S. While you're thinking about where your food comes from, this looks interesting:

Thursday, January 28, 6:30-8:30 pm
DIRT! THE MOVIE
Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor St W. (east of Bathurst subway station)
Dirt! The Movie tells the amazing story of the earth we stand on everyday and how we depend on it for life.
Hosted by FoodCycles
Tickets available online (check the website) and at the door on a sliding scale of $10-20. There will be a reception at 6:30 pm and the movie will start at 7 pm.

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