Market Times - July 18, 2011

WEFC News

This week we had an excellent article in the Globe and Mail-check it out here and share it with friends!

West End Food Co-op Goes Digital!

We are proud to announce a bigger online presence—we have launched a secure online payment option, so you can purchase workshop registrations, community bonds  and donate at your convenience. We are also on Facebook  and Twitter  - check it out!

We are well on our way to raising the funds needed for opening our doors. We have a target date of September 1 to raise an additional $40K for the new food hub and store at the Parkdale Community Health Centre; we are halfway to our overall target now. You can buy bonds, donate or support us by riding in our Ride For Real Food. If you have purchased bonds in the past, you can buy more each calendar year, up to $1000 per year.  Go to our site for more information, or come by the Co-op table at the market!

 

Community Partners

We were joined last week at the market by Silver Brush, PARC’s  social enterprise that offers painting services. They have been very busy, but had some time to be at our market to talk about PARC and Silver Brush, and their partnership with the West End Food Co-op. We’ll be partnering with Silver Brush to offer natural plaster training and work opportunities for Silver Brush members and others during our “Building Our Green Co-op” project, the green retrofit this fall preparing the new store for opening at 1229 Queen West.

 

This week at the Market

Although it was a wet spring it is now hot hot hot and there are many amazing things to eat at the market! Come and get em.... and tell your neighbours. Our farmers’ work hard to bring you the best veggies, fruit, and meats. Plus there’s honey, cheese, bread, raw treats, gluten free tarts, granola, and more. Our artisans make every effort to use local, sustainable, and/or fair ingredients (often from the farmers’ at the market!).

As mentioned last week we are working on profiles for our vendors to help you all learn more about where, what, who and how. One of the things listed will be whether the vendor grows, or uses, ingredients that are certified organic, LFP certified, and what methods they use in farming or production. As a preview - last week we heard from Colleen at Enfleurage Organics that her products are Ecocert Canada Verified Organic as of July 6th. This week she will be running a celebration sale - Buy 2 soaps at regular price and get the 3rd one FREE! A great deal for locally made organic soap.

At the Community table:

• Local Food Plus will be at the market this Monday.  LFP is a local non-profit "committed to creating local sustainable food systems that reduce reliance on fossil fuels, create meaningful jobs, and foster the preservation of farmland – and farmers". To learn more about LFPs great work see this article in the Globe and Mail
• Silver Brush, a social enterprise that specializes in painting and renovations. Silver Brush will be working with the WEFC on the new co-op store. So please stop by their table and learn more about what they are doing and how you can become involved!

Under the Market Music Canopy this week:

• 3:00 to 4:30 Lutia' Celtic Harp
• 5:00 to 6:00 Shelley Coopersmith (& friends) - fiddle & mandolin

One-of-kind handbags sale to benefit the WEFC
We still have beautiful handmade bags from WEFC Board member Janna Lüttmann available at the Market’s Co-op table.  Proceeds to support the Co-op — many different sizes and shapes so come check them out!

The Market runs on Monday from 3-7 pm in Sourauren Park. See you there!

 

At the Cannery

We are helping spread the importance, joy, and deliciousness of canning and preserving. This week James Partenen, one of our preserving facilitators, ran a canning workshop at Queen West Community Health Centre. Their community gardening group picked their own strawberries last week, and this week made some great strawberry jam with the help of James' experties and guidance!

We continue to preserve the bounty of the season. Next workshop will be July 26th. Stay tuned to the WEFC Cannery Page for updates and recipes.  Feel free to email Katie as well./p>

 

Get Involved with the Co-op

There are many opportunities for volunteers at the WEFC -- you can sign up to join the volunteer pool, and tell us what you'd like to do.  To support your co-op financially you can donate online now.

 

The Cutting Veg - Vegetables, herbs, flowers, salad greens

Kind Organics - sprouts, micro-greens, gourmet salad blends...

Matchbox Garden - Seeds, seedlings, seasonal veggies

Field Sparrow Farms - grass-fed naturally raised beef, veggies

Wheelbarrow Farm - Berkshire pork, veggies, sausages

City Seed Farm - just picked veggies and greens, brought to market by bicycle!

Oso Leo & Two Century Farm - apples and cider, berries, and other fruit

Defloured - gluten free gallettes, tarts, pot pies, cookies, and treats

Choco Sol - bike powered chocolate, direct trade coffee, local hemp, fresh tortillas

Fish Shak- roti's, fish fritters, and more w/ local, seasonal ingredients

Earth & City - mostly raw, all vegan, sweet and savoury treats with seasonal and local ingredients

Forbes Wild Foods - wild and foraged foods, maple syrup, preserves...

Exact Edge - Knife and other sharpening

Ying Ying Soy Food - organic tofu and soy products

De la Terre - Sourdough breads, baguettes, pastries, ...

Le Tibet - momos and noodles

Ali's Bakery - Breads, loaves, pastries, sweet and savoury  treats

Bees Universe - honey, candles, honey/bee products, eggs

Deer Valley Farm - Venison, chicken, mushrooms

Greengate Farm - Naturally raised beef and pork, frozen prepared  meals

Monforte Dairy - sheep, goat, and cow milk cheeses, ice cream, summer sausage, ...

Enfleurage Organics - soaps and other body care

Baba Link - Herbs, berries, veggies, and preserves

Bizjak Farms - Tree fruit & berries

Fresh City Farms - Greens and veggies grown in the city!

The Fresh Veggies - Vegetables, asian greens, etc.

Pine River Organic Farm - Asparagus, onions, and other veggies and herbs