Established: 2005
Days and Times of Operations: Tuesdays, 4:00 - 7:00 pm, from June 23 to October 6, 2009
Market Manager: Julia Graham
Aministered by: Stonegate Community Health Centre
Website: www.stonegatechc.org
Upcoming Events:
August 25: Corn Roast
September 15: Healthy Cooking Demo and Taste Testing
September 29: Harvest Celebration
The Stonegate Farmers' Market was initially a market pilot project implemented by Community Food Animators at FoodShare, the Stonegate Community Health Centre, and the Stonegate Community Ecumenical Ministry. The market was set up to tackle food insecurity issues in the Stonegate neighbourhood. With the success of the pilot and farmers on board, the market became a full fledged farmers' market in its second year, with the Stonegate Community Health Centre taking the lead in organizing and running the weekly event. Since then, the market has fallen under food access programming at the health centre, and is still seen as a joint venture supported largely by community organizations, churches and residents including: Stonegate Community Ecumenical Ministry, Community Food Animators Project, and the local food bank at St. James' Humber Bay Anglican Church as well as funding from the Food Security Investment Program.
What makes the Stonegate Farmers' Market unique is that it targets food insecurity and social isolation issues in the Stonegate community, located in south-eastern Etobicoke. Focusing on alleviating hunger and improving access to food, the Stonegate Farmers' Market offers fresh produce to area residents who otherwise must depend on the one large, mainstream supermarket in the area that is accessible by residents without means of transportation. Park Lawn Road, where the market is located, is seen as a dividing line between an affluent neighbourhood and lower income community. The customer base at the market come from both sides of this dividing line, bringing the community together and helping to provide local residents quality, locally-grown produce in the neighbourhood, with a venue where the Stonegate community can come together and connect to each other as well as the farmers that attend the market.
The market runs every Tuesday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. (rain or shine) and features: organic and local produce, honey, flowers, baked goods, breads, sweets and more!
Number of Vendors: 10 - 12
Bees Universe: John Alecu sells honey, honey comb, bee pollen, propolis, fresh frozen royal jelly, and beeswax candles.
Casalba Gourmet Pasta Sauce: A traditional family recipe which uses olive oil, fresh basil and beefstock from fresh cuts of meat giving it a rich delicious flavour.
Demkomart: Daniel and Margaret Demkowicz from Holland Marsh area, sell chemical-free fruit and vegetable produce.
Dufferin Grove Park Bread: Made with organic flours, sea salt and other organic ingredients, using artisanal recipes. The loaves are baked in outdoor wood-fired bake ovens in Dufferin Grove Park and brought fresh to market.
Fisher's Farm: Fisher's Farm has been attending farmers' markets for the past 18 years, selling a wide range of products including sweet corn, melons, tomatoes, strawberries, squash, cutflowers (glads, and sunflower bouquets) and ornamental gourds and corn stalks.
From These Roots: Krista Harrington, owner and culinary artist, is committed to making quality versatile jams and salsas that will delight your senses!
Magaza Food: Verica Krasavac and family offer a wide variety of prepared delights including: lasagna, hand made pastas, sausages, cheese and spinach pies and much, much more!
Natures Way Organics: Ed Dirse offers fresh seasonal organic vegetables as a healthy choice for healthy people.
The Joy of Harvest: Jams, jellies, sauces, chutneys and more. Created by Zonia, and family from locally grown, and imported fresh produce.
Twin Creeks Farm and Garden: A small diverse family farm, located on the rolling hills of the Niagara escarpment, committed to providing customers with the highest quality 'naturally grown' produce. Livestock, hay, grains and vegetables grown at Twin Creeks are primarily heritage breeds, with absolutely NO pesticides, chemical fertilizers, hormones, or GMO technology.
Warner's Farm: has grown fruit since 1920. Soil, climate, along with the utmost care, produce bountiful yields of quality fruits.
Bread baked at Dufferin Grove and sold at Stonegate Farmers' Market by Stonegate Food Access Committee volunteers.
The Stonegate Farmers' Market holds weekly events at each market as well as providing music. Customers are treated to alternating musicians playing each week at the market as well as scheduled events for every market date. Events for 2009 include: Canada Day Celebrations, Seniors' Day, Stonegate Kids Summer Fun, Salsa Dancing at the Market, Travelling Critters, Market Magic, Healthy Cooking Demonstrations and much more!
