Market Times - August 1, 2011

Photo:Nathan Payne

WEFC News

Listen to our Financial Coordinator and co-op developer extraordinaire Sally Miller talk about community bonds and co-op financing on online radio this Sunday at 1pm.

The West End Food Co-op is closing in on our fund-raising goals for September; this week we officially launched the Bike-A-Thon, our Ride for Real Food. We are also delighted to welcome new bondholders and members to our co-op—see the side barometer for our progress to date on the whole fund-raising campaign.

This week at the Market

Come on out to the long weekend market! The tomatoes have arrived and we’ve been eating juicy peaches all week! Join us for dinner in the park and then take home all the juicy, fresh fruit and veggies you can carry. Great grass fed, natural, meats for the grill too - venison, beef, pork, chicken, and more... come and get it.

You’ll also be happy to know that thanks to the generosity of our farmers, we are now able to provide weekly donations to Sketch, an amazing local group that focuses on working arts for homeless and street involved youth. They are using the fresh, organic veggies and other goodies to help provide meals to the youth coming to their programs.  Have you thanked a farmer today! If not - come and do it on Monday :-)

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

At the Community table:

• All One- Come and finish off your long weekend with some relaxation and care. All One are a great group of practitioners using a variety of modalities to help people with healthy mind, body, and spirit. They are taking donations for WEFC at the market!
• Bike Pirates- Bring your bike down and get a safety check, plus Bike Pirates community mechanics will look it over, make small adjustments, and let you know what needs to be fixed or replaced.  Bike Pirates is a volunteer-run, non-profit, do-it-yourself workspace.

Under the Market Music Canopy this week

• From 3 to 5:00 – Moyo Rainos Mutamba - Enjoy Mutamba’s sweet Mbira music in the park! To hear some of his music check it out on myspace or sonicbids.

We may have a special guest after 5pm too...

If you want to play music at the market or know someone you’d like to see play contact Corry and let her know!

At the Cannery

This week we had an amazing time making jam with the Green Squad from Greenest City
Remember you can support us through the Small Change Fund to increase our ability to do and teach preserving with our community partners for those who wouldn’t otherwise afford to do so.

Look for our next canning workshop coming up in 2 weeks . Stay tuned to the WEFC Cannery Page for updates and recipes.  Feel free to email Katie as well.

Community Events and News

• FoodShare Toronto asks Mayor and City of Toronto to Reconsider Cuts:  “Do Not Destroy the Social Safety Net – You will make Toronto Unliveable for All”  - Along with many other community members and representatives from organizations around the city FoodShare Executive Director Debbie Field made a deputation early this morning to ask Mayor Ford and the Executive Committee to reconsider cuts to community programs and ensure that Toronto’s social safety net is not destroyed, creating profound human cost more deep than any financial one, which would make Toronto unliveable for all.  See their press release
• News from a neighbouring park and community hub - Dufferin Grove Park. Read here about their struggle to keep up the great programming, community building,  services and staff that they are well known for. The outcome there could impact the use of many of our parks and recreational facilities.

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.

 

Baba Link - Herbs, berries, veggies, and preserves

Klucha Farm - Tree fruit, vegetables, and preserves

Bizjak Farms - Tree fruit & berries

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

The Fresh Veggies - Vegetables, asian greens, etc.

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

The Bus Kitchen -  Sweet & savoury treats made on a bus on site! Full of local and organic goodness

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 - Grass fed venison, poultry, & fresh mushrooms

Greengate Farm - Naturally raised beef & pork + frozen prepared  meals

Monforte Dairy - sheep, goat, & cows milk cheeses, ice cream, summer sausage