Two weeks ago, this sign appeared at the corner of Erb + King streets:
it's baaaaack!
Yea!, said I.
Last summer, they implemented a very (teeny-tiny) farmer’s market in the Uptown Square. About 5-10 vendors set up booths. Last year, Aunti Day was Thursday, so I think I only made it over once or twice. I remember I did purchase fresh-from-the-farm zucchini and cucumber.
I was excited to go back this Thursday to see what would be on offer!
an official banner is good!
I descended the stairs from the mall, and was greeted with this sight:
three tents
Oh, dear. Not a very auspicious start to market season. On display:
rings...
herbs...
african-flavoured goods...
are those peppers?
Eesh.
I really hope that more vendors/farmers join in as the summer growing season progresses…the Uptown Square is a wonderfully open venue, and you’d think a lot of foot traffic would pass through as people make their way home from work, or meander about on a warm afternoon. Will more vendors bring more people, or will more people draw more vendors?
I’ll keep you posted!
Two positive features noted at this week’s *market* –
They’ve got entertainment:
down-home style music...
and…
COFFEE for sale!!!
I’ll be back!
◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊
A New-to-Me Cereal Find!
Look what appeared on the shelves of Valumart, recently!
last time i saw these was in aruba!
American friends, you are probably, like, “So? Big deal! Chex have been around forever!” Yes, for you lucky people, they have! But to the best of my knowledge, Chex is just now making an appearance north of the border.
I’ve already tried both flavours (here was my winning mix: Original Puffins, then the two types of Chex, GF Honey’d Corn Flakes over the top, with a pour of almond milk – – > great idea).
What I find interesting: “gluten-free” is given special mention on the box. AND these Chex are shelved in with the regular cereals at Valumart, not in with the health food cereal section (where all other GF cereals are located).
Any new-to-you products that you’ve discovered recently at your grocery store? Valumart is carrying Greek yogurt now, too; a few months ago, I could only get that at the local health food stores or Vincenzo’s.
Farmer’s Markets: do you go for the crafts or for farm-fresh goods? If I’m in a poking mood, I’ll look at the Fleamarket section at the market, but I usually focus on the produce.
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Comments
I go to the farmer’s market as often as I can. I look first for the veggies/fruits which are currently in season. I then look for locally made products like honey, jams/jellies and baked goods (there is at least one guy who sells gluten-free bread and it’s a beautiful loaf). After that I look at the crafts areas. I don’t usually buy in that area because everything is so expensive but I appreciate the work that went into the products. Last week was kinda lean due to the holiday and impending storms.
i like your methodical method of going thru the market, johanna! i do the opposite to you: craft-looking first, produce last, so that if my arms are full of veggies/fruit, i don’t have to carry them as far!
You’re just now getting chex?! Ok you have to make this, puppy chow, aka choco pb chex mix
http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2009/10/vegan-chocolate-pb-chex-mix-broccoli.html
your life will never be the same 🙂
i know!!! we are severely deprived sometimes in terms of what we can get vs what you guys in the US can get. we would all go NUTS for that puppy chow, i know! thanks, averie!
Wowsers! That’s a pretty pathetic looking market! I’m quite surprised at the lack of vendors as well. I hope it picks up.
the opening was delayed a few weeks, too. the reason given was the wet may weather, but i am wondering if lack of participating vendors is the more major cause!
I think Gluten Free has become a big thing in the way people eat (some people who have no problem with think it’s better for health reasons) so I’m guessing it’s a little marketing for the chex people.
I was excited to see Cabot greek yogurt at my local supermarket (I’d had it down in Florida once). A 32 ounce tub of it wasn’t much more than a 16 oz. tub of Chobani.
I agree that GF is “in” right now and some companies are jumping on that bandwagon.
We can’t get chobani up here but I’ve read the rave reviews!
Wahooo! I love farmer’s markets…around here there is one big “public market” that is really awesome on the weekends, and then smaller satellite ones in church parking lots, etc., on every day of the week. So, I’m really excited to start going to all of them. Our grocery store also carries tons of local produce and has it all labeled, so I don’t feel too bad about choosing that either.
So interesting about the gluten free chex! Joe has been talking about gluten free non-stop since he’s read a few articles about athletes (mostly runners) going gluten free even when they don’t have “issues”…and finding big performance gains.
Hmmmm….I don’t have any new products, but I did find the cheapest best coffee place around. It rivals starbucks and is cheaper!
Have a wonderful day in our fabulous northern weather 🙂
cheap coffee?! i’m all ears! oh, i bet joe and i could have a great discussion re GF + running/athletes! i really find the GF issue interesting as there are conflicting opinions, esp on some blogs, lately. our grocery store labels local produce, too – isn’t that great when they make it easy for us to source those items. and july + august will be prime local season! enjoy your weekend!