Instead of us going to the market, on June 19, the market came to us. With Sarah Elton, blogger and author of Locavore on hand, it seemed that inviting a few vendors from Toronto many farmers locavore eating is all about. Watch her interview with Jennifer Grange.
Of course, your food supply cannot get more local than growing in your own backyard, or even on a tiny balcony, as our second author, Gayla Trail clearly shows in her book, Grow Great Grub. Watch her interview with Jennifer Grange.
Using ingredients from the vendors, we served up a rhubarb tart, honey and lavender cake, and a beet and carrot salad to give customers a little hint of what to expect when cooking with local produce. We just regret that we did not have a petition for people to sign -- there seemed to be great enthusiasm for a regular market in the area.
The Farmers
Sarah Bakker Sarah and her husband Henry raise Angus cattle on Field Sparrow Farm in the Kawartha Lakes area. Though not certified organic , they practice sustainable farming with an emphasis on protecting songbirds. Their cattle are pastured and they use no GMO products or hormones. Their regular markets are Sorauren, Appletree, Withrow Park, and on the second Saturday of the month at Green Barn.
Bay Woodyard Bay and partner Gavin North started beekeeping in Prince Edward County a decade ago. Along with delicate meadow flower and lavender honeys, she sells whimsical beeswax candles and herbal products. She is at the Green Barn market on Saturdays throughout the year.
Caroll Collins The beet and carrot queen of the markets at Sick Kids and Bloor/Borden, Caroll Collins of Collins Farm Produce is part of four generations of farming. Although this is not an organic farm, the family practices sustainable farming methods with limited pesticide use. This is the only stand we have seen selling home grown artichokes. They also have a wide range of herbs and greens. (For more, see mypick.ca.)
Marvellous Edibles
For the past few years, Jens Eller and Ayse Akoner have sold produce from their Grey County farm while running a Leaside restaurant. This winter they closed the restaurant and at the end of June moved to the farm. Later in the summer they will have an excellent selection of heirloom potatoes. With his German background, Jens is a master of all things pork-related. Certification as an organic farm is underway. Marvellous Edibles is at Bloor/Borden on Wednesdays and at Green Barn on the second Saturday of each month. (For more, see mypick.ca.)
The Cutting Veg
Regulars at the Sorauren market know what great onions and garlic the Cutting Veg produces. They have now instituted a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program -- one of the drop-off spots is near us on Park Road. They also offer volunteer opportunities on their Brampton area farm for those who would like to try the agrarian life.
Urban Harvest
Anyone who wants to be an urban gardener should meet Colette Murphy of Urban Harvest. She offers an amazing selection of organic seeds and plants -- the range of heirloom tomatoes is particularly spectacular--along with green garden supplies. Urban Harvest now has a storefront at 193 Sorauren but is also at Dufferin Grove market on Thursdays and at Green Barn on Saturday. We have seen her at Riverdale on Tuesdays too.
The
Cookbook Store 850 Yonge Street at Yorkville
Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4W 2H1
Two short blocks north of Bloor on the southwest corner
Open 7 days a week
416.920.2665 or
1.800.268.6018
fax 416.920.3271 cooking@ican.net
Please note that
all prices are in Canadian dollars, and are subject to change without
notice.
Instead of us going to the market, on June 19, the market came to us. With Sarah Elton, 
Of course, your food supply cannot get more local than growing in your own backyard, or even on a tiny balcony, as our second author, 
