It’s going to be another fun afternoon in East Lynn Park! Check out the poster below for the lineup.

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If you haven’t had your fill of berries yet this summer (and let’s face it, can you ever really get enough of just-picked, fresh berries?) you still have time to head over to the East Lynn Farmers’ Market for some seasonal goodies. Freezing berries is a great way to preserve them at their peak freshness for later use. There’s no better way to get the taste of summer in the midst of winter. And there’s a lot of other local produce at the market right now, including the first tomatoes, fresh onions and garlic! You’re sure to find some great inspirations for your summer meals.

The lineup…

Dwayne Gamree is a rock/folk/pop singer-songwriter and recording artist who recently migrated from Mumbai to Toronto. He says: “I have spent the last 15 years immersed in the music industry, working across advertising, OTT platforms, Bollywood, touring with my band Bombay Buzzar, and performing solo live for corporate and private events. My independent work has been recognized—I was awarded Rising Male Artist at the Indian Independent Music Awards (2022) for my single “Sprinkle That” and won the 94.3 Radio One International Icon (India) in December 2024, followed by the release of an acoustic album,  Based.”

It’s about gardens and bugs in the Kids’ Zone this week with Pegasus Dance Studios. Kids will be able to play with puppets and instruments, and enjoy some song and dance. They’ll also be able to make a caterpillar or bumblebee craft. Pegasus Dance Studios is a warm, welcoming space where children grow through dance, creativity, and connection. Since 1986, Pegasus has nurtured confidence, joy, and self-expression in every child, both in and beyond the studio

Also in the Kids’ Zone is Meaningful Spanish Lessons: Maria is a Spanish teacher based on the Danforth, currently teaching at the Teaching Space. She runs Spanish workshops for kids and is excited about the opportunity to contribute to the market’s activities.

In the Kidpreneur tent, Alicia’s Figurines features handmade clay figurines. A portion of the profits will go to Sick Kids for cancer research. This is Alicia’s third summer in the Kidpreneur program. She says: “I really appreciate that this program exists, because it helps kids share their creations, and teaches us how to run a business.” Colourful Keychains will also be in the Kidpreneur tent. Proceeds from Colourful Keychains will go to support Earth Rangers.

Popup vendors this week are The Spice Drawer, with artisanal, handcrafted spice blends, and Charby’s Craft Sauces with their small-batch, award-winning hot sauces and pepper jellies. Muddy York provides the beer.

Club Sandwich is in the Community Booth. Club Sandwich makes sandwiches for 9 east end missions that serve the food insecure population. As always, DECA will be in the tent to stamp Market Passports, provide cloth produce bags and answer any market or neighbourhood questions.

Finally, in anticipation of our annual Bike Day on August 28, Pedalheads is giving away a gift certificate for a one-week half-day camp ($410 value, expires Aug 28/25). Email green@deca.to to enter the draw!

Hot enough for ya? The weather has been steamy but don’t let that stop you from getting to the East Lynn Farmers’ Market for some fresh, seasonal produce, a cold beer and some great live music.

Bring back your pots!

If you received any native plants last week from Project Swallowtail, we are collecting the pots this week to return them. Last week was truly inspiring to see how many people are planting pollinators. In the words of the organizers, “It is something that may seem to have a small impact but does bring a positive and very tangible benefit to our community.” About 300 plants were shared with community members, and all those plants were produced from the seeds of one garden!

 

The lineup…

Mortimer Bakeshop and Keystone Preserves are the popup vendors this week so you can load up on cake, cookies, macaroons, s’mores, chutneys and jams, while Hamilton-based Fairweather Brewery makes a return visit with their silky stouts and bright IPAs.

 

On the hill, we have musician Alex Southey. He is a Toronto-based singer/songwriter, podcaster, writer who performs regularly around the city. He describes his music as emotionally forward folk rock music reminiscent of Wilco, Adrienne Lenker, Jeff Buckley, and Aimee Mann.

 

Kidpreneurs at work this week are Claire’s Creative Corner and Cocoa & Co. Claire is an aspiring artist who will draw caricatures of popular personalities – from the likes of Disney and Marvel – on demand, while Cocoa & Co. will help you fill that craving for homemade chocolate!

South Riverdale Community Health is at the Community Booth. South Riverdale Community Health Centre is a non-profit, multi-service organization that provides primary healthcare, social and community outreach services with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention primarily to people of East Toronto.

 

Food donations needed!

Volunteers from Community Fridges will also be at the Community Booth to take your donations. Community Fridges TO is a Toronto-based mutual aid initiative created to nourish our communities and our neighbours. They would love to share your market purchases in their fridges and will happily take donations of other food and personal care items.

Welcome back, Silly Goose Kids!

In the Kids’ Zone this week, young marketgoers will get a chance to try out a few different toys: a soft archery game, a bubble toy, and a board game, thanks to Silly Goose Kids. We’re so happy to have them back!

See you at the market!

As summer is heating up, so is the East Lynn Farmers’ Market! Shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables may be your main reason for stopping in this week, but local Ontario produce, straight from the farm, isn’t the only star at the market.

 

The Lineup…

 

Veteran singer-songwriterr Pete Eastmure is the musical guest this week. Eastmure has been described as  “a genuine vintage Americana voice.” Influenced by the likes of Gordon Lightfoot and Hank Williams, his latest songs take the listener on a journey into Canada. 

 

TheSPACE, the School of Performing Arts for the Community of East York, is showcasing some of its talent with a performance  between 4-6pm. TheSPACE is a full performing arts centre with a focus on building self esteem through the performance arts. 

 

Project Swallowtail will be at the Community Booth this week. Project Swallowtail is a collaborative effort to connect communities street by street and empower residents to restore nature in Toronto. Its aim is to increase the urban habitat by helping gardeners plant native plants in private and community gardens, sidewalk medians and balconies. Find out how you can participate. 

 

This week, we welcome back 32 Spokes to the market. The volunteer-led group will be on hand to talk bikes, do minor repairs and safety checks. 

 

Also back this week is Lex’s Pantry with delicious spice blends, One Last Thing with a selection of fine meats and lots of Ontario and Quebec cheese, and Great Lakes Brewery, craft beer on tap since 1987.

 

Finally, be sure to stop by the DECA tent for some clever ideas on how to use kitchen scraps in your cooking and in your garden! Don’t throw out those onion tops or that wilted lettuce. We’ll show you how to make a start to a zero-waste kitchen. And we’ll throw in a cloth produce bag to boot!

 

First, can we talk about the Warner’s Orchards cherries this year? They are a taste SENSATION.  Okay, back to all the news you need for this week:

Don’t forget to pick up your passport to Toronto’s Farmers’ Markets! 

Twelve farmers’ markets across the city are participating in the Market Passports  initiative from June 21st to September 26th. Explore a new market, meet new vendors and celebrate our vibrant local economies!

Pick up your passport at the DECA tent this week ($5 or pwyc to DECA market activities). Collect stamps as you visit markets, and if you complete the passport, you’ll be entered to win a grand prize market gift basket! Even visiting just six markets gets you entered for a prize.

(brought to you by Canadian Centre for Food and Ecology, Flavour Harvest, MarketcityTO, and the City of Toronto’s Economic Development and Culture Division)

Think Green!

This week we want to give nature a helping hand. Stop by and learn about the importance of pollinators, courtesy of Beaches East York MPP, Mary-Margaret McMahon. And then pick up a free tree that Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, MP for Beaches East York, will be giving away. For all your gardening questions, Master Gardeners will be on hand at the Community Booth again this month. 

Stay a while and relax!

Don’t forget to grab a bite at one of the popup vendors: Yappi’s is back with their home cooked Japanese food and so is Link Haus, with their selection of unique sausages.  Accompany your meal with a fresh beer from Red Tape Brewery. Opened in 2020, the family run, east end microbrewery is known for its own craft beer as well as for designing and brewing bespoke beers for clients.  And don’t forget those cherries for dessert!

We’re so lucky to welcome Sarah Tomlinson to the market this week. Sarah’s thought-provoking songs have been featured on a number of playlists and she has performed in a number of prominent Toronto venues. In her lilting mezzo-soprano voice and signature yodel, Sarah sings about love and self discovery, never shying away from controversial issues. When she’s not working on her music, she is a full-time multi-platform reporter for Radio-Canada.

Kids, come on over to the DECA tent and help us do some redecorating! Join community artist Kseniya Tsoy  in creative, colourful and eco-conscious play to design our very own Kids’ Zone banner! We will use paper scraps, and reuse plastic sheets to explore and discover the shape of … a circle. Please feel free to bring your own funky paper (books, note pages, leftover wrapping paper, etc) that you think should be a part of the Kids’ Zone banner! All ages and abilities welcome! Children under 5 years old should be participating with a caregiver.

And of course, don’t forget to shop from our farmers!

 

Pride at the Market Returns!

We’re celebrating Pride Month at the East Lynn Farmers’ Market on June 26! Queer Toronto artist, Holly Clausius, is back with her hypnotizing blend of pop, soul, folk, and rock, as she gears up for the release of her new album this summer. You can listen to her on Spotify  or follow her on Instagram or TikTok @hollyclausius

In the Kids’ Zone, Mischief Makers is also back at the market with a fun Pride-themed Lego printing activity. DECA volunteers will also be on hand with glitter tattoos for all!

And why not grab a bite at one of the three popup vendors this week? Borrel offers traditional Dutch-Indonesian snacks and comfort food, Yappi’s has Japanese home-style cooking while the Link Haus makes sausages like nothing you’ve had before. Wash it all down with a refreshing beer from award-winning Muddy York Brewing Co.

Friends of Ruby will be in the Community Booth this week so please bring donations, if you can. Friends of Ruby supports 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, from counselling and community to housing and healthcare. Check the poster to see a list of items that are most needed.

Explore Toronto’s Markets: Passport Adventure!

Get ready for an exciting summer!We’re thrilled to introduce our new Market Passports, making it fun to discover everything Toronto’s Farmers’ Markets have to offer!

From June 21st to September 26th, 12 amazing farmers’ markets across the city are participating. Why not shake up your routine, grab dinner at a weekday market, or explore a new weekend spot? It’s a fantastic way to meet new vendors, try local foods, and celebrate our vibrant local economies!

Pick up your passport at the DECA tent this week! Collect stamps as you visit markets, and if you complete the passport, you’ll be entered to win a grand prize market gift basket! Even visiting just six markets gets you entered for a prize. A $5 donation at any participating market gets you your passport.

 

 

Huge thanks to our partners: Canadian Centre for Food and Ecology, Flavour Harvest, MarketcityTO, and the City of Toronto’s Economic Development and Culture Division for making this possible! Get ready to explore!