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Weekly Market Notes Library

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Weekly Market Notes for April 04, 2013

Hello Market Friends:

Well, there was little doubt about the 'headline' news for this edition; it had to be this happy announcement:

“Last Wednesday Ben and I welcomed our daughter Sadie Grace Sophie Sosnicki into the world!!! A happy, healthy sweet little petal that we are completely and utterly in love with! And holy mini Ben!!! Arriving home to the farm she was introduced to Lady Bug the horse and the greenhouses right away and is settling in nicely. Grandma is baby sitting today and both Ben and I are back in the greenhouse going as usual and trimming out cabbage!! We cannot wait to introduce Sadie to the market environment, but for now I'll be enjoying every minute of her being a baby as I hear they grow fast!! Ben will be delivering our cabbage for Ted to sell for us at the market and we'll keep busy growing and lovin' baby.” Jessie & Ben

Congratulations from All Your Friends at Dufferin, Ben and Jessie!!

Here's what's happening this week:

From Country Meadows: “We are still searching for the elusive spring which continues to evade us. Today when I opened the greenhouse, I think I heard the plants shouting, "Close the door!!!". It is snowing here today AGAIN. This week Angelo we will have freshly frozen pork chops, sausages, and ham roasts. Smoked hams take a few weeks to cure so this time we wanted hams that were not smoked.” Linda Kapelaris

“Earth and City is back for the season! We'll be offering the same delicious items as last season, plus some additional early spring-inspired treats. For the savoury, carrot and beet spring roll wraps, onion flatbreads, lentil and walnut burgers and kale sunflower pesto. For the sweets, vanilla and chocolate macaroons, frosted brownies and cowgirl cookies. We'll also be bringing our blender and making fresh green smoothies: apple, pear, ginger and kale, with a dash of cinnamon for $5. We'll have the option of reusable cups if you're staying at the market, or compostable take-a-way cups if you're on the go. Excited to be back!” Cassandra

We have sourced more “Foodsaq' reusable fresh produce bags, which you can pick up from Anne Freeman or at Ted Thorpe's table, $1each, a pack of 3 bags for $3, or two packs for $5. If you'd like a larger quantity, please email market@dufferinpark.ca in advance. Kick the plastic habit!

Due to the cool weather, Anne Van der Heyden from Woolerdale Organic Farm called to say that they'll just come every other week (i.e. not this time) until their greens get growing. Patience is a good spring virtue.

Andrew Akiwenzie will be down with Georgian Bay fish!

Any of you who are 'regulars' will have noticed that our wonderful onsite staff has been up against frustrating challenges for the past while. Visit the homepage on this site or follow this YouTube link: http://youtu.be/EA3PKkY2HHo to watch Jutta Mason's 'prezi' slideshow on The Making and UNmaking of Dufferin Grove. I'd like to express HUGE appreciation for the good folks who work at the park and have put so much into making it a special place.

See you at the market!

Anne

An urgent P.S. Many thousands of people felt sick at heart when Obama signed the Monsanto Protection Act last week (http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/16738-how-the-monsanto-protection-act-snuck-into-law), but we don't have to make similar mistakes here. A decision is looming in Canada on the release of GM alfalfa. Farmers do not need GM alfalfa, but they do need urban supporters like you! Please take some time out of your day next Tuesday to come down to St. Lawrence Market.

Tuesday, April 9, noon to 1 pm

Day of Action to Stop GM Alfalfa

Location: outside St. Lawrence Market, 95 Front St. East, Toronto

Info: info@nomoregmos.ca

Bring your banners, your voices and together we can stop the release of GM alfalfa. Spread the word! Here are the locations of rallies across Ontario: http://www.cban.ca/april9

Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) alfalfa could be registered for use in Eastern Canada this April! GM Roundup Ready alfalfa varieties have just been cleared for the last step before they hit the market - all they need now is a final rubber-stamp by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Alfalfa is used to produce many of the foods we eat! Alfalfa (commonly harvested as hay) is high-protein feed for animals like dairy cows, beef cattle, lambs, poultry and pigs. It's also used to build nutrients in the soil and is important for organic farming.

Because alfalfa is a perennial plant that is pollinated by bees, genetically modified alfalfa will inevitably cross-pollinate with non-GM and organic alfalfa, threatening the livelihoods of family farmers across Canada. Prairie farmers have already rejected GM alfalfa because of the threat of contamination, so now the industry is trying to introduce GM alfalfa in Eastern Canada.

This action is hosted by The Big Carrot Natural Food Market, No More GMOs Toronto, Millions Against Monsanto Toronto, Kids Right To Know GMO Rally, Canadian Organic Growers-Toronto, and the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. This call for a Day of Action to Stop GM Alfalfa was issued by the National Farmers Union-Ontario.

For Toronto Action info and materials: http://www.cban.ca/april9toronto

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