Vendors' Column
Email Market Manager
Tel: 416-961-8787
Click to download 2008 Market Application Form (pdf - 278 kB)
Market Rules and Regulation for Vendors
8th Market Season
May 13th to October 28th, 2008
1. Location
The Riverdale Farmers' Market is located in Riverdale Park West flanking the pathway directly west of Simpson House.
2. Hours
In 2008 the Market will be open from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM each Tuesday starting May 13th and concluding October 28th.
Vendors may enter the park for setup at 2:00. Vehicles are not permitted in Riverdale Park.
Vendors must arrive on time to ensure that their stall is open for business promptly at 3:00.
Vendors must not sell before 3:00. Stalls must remain open until 7:00 PM unless sold out.
3. Application and Selection Process
Participation in the Riverdale Farmers’ Market is by invitation of the Farmers' Market Manager.
The Market is producer-based; therefore, only applicants offering goods for sale that they have produced themselves will be considered. Absolutely no resellers or peddlers will be allowed in the Market. However, a producer may sell additional produce grown by a relative, a neighbour farmer or an approved association. The additional produce will be limited to 15% of the vendor's product line. The intent of this exception is to increase the diversity of fresh produce offered to the customers. If wild plants are to be harvested and sold, the GPS position must be included in the application and a letter from the land owner must accompany it.
Absolutely no terminal purchases or imported produce will be allowed. The Market Management will visit the farms and businesses of vendors.
All vendors must have a completed application form on file with the Farmers Market Manager to be considered for space rental.
Seasonal and other long term vendors should have their completed applications and fees (cheques please) Elizabeth Harris Farmers’ Market Manager, 327 Carlton Street, Toronto M5A 2L8 at first market or before (see fee schedule below).
Vendors are to provide their own tables and shelter. Preference will be given to current long term vendors. A spirit of cooperation and community at the market is encouraged.
All products being sold in the Market will comply with applicable Provincial and Federal regulations regarding labelling, measuring, safety etc. Compliance with these regulations is the responsibility of the individual vendor.
If you are a small manufacturer, to avoid complications when the Health Inspector calls, please provide proof of health department inspected premises when your application is submitted.
Producers shall sell only high quality, wholesome products at the market. Live animals cannot be sold at the Market.
In the year 2008 the Market Manager or her designate shall allocate vendor space as follows:
• Renewing seasonal vendors have first choice of the space they would prefer
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New seasonal vendors have second choice of the remaining spaces
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Monthly vendors have third choice of the remaining spaces
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The Market Manager will assign daily vendors on a first come basis.
The final stall allocation will include an appropriate product mix and will be at the discretion of The Market Manager.
Non profit organizations may be allocated one stall space for the purpose of fundraising or publicity. The organization might be limited to one yearly space allocation. The Manager must approve all requests.
4. Fee Schedule
Any fees collected by the Market are for the purpose of promoting and operating the Farmers Market. All cheques are to be made payable to “The Friends of Riverdale Farm.” NSF cheques will be charged an administration fee of $25.00.
1. The yearly membership fee will be $25.00 and must be paid prior to setting up at the market
2. 2008 market fees apply to a space with a 10 foot frontage and are $25 per market or $500 per season. The seasonal market fees may be paid in two instalments on May 13th and August 5th .
5. Vendor Requirements
-A vendor must be familiar with the rules and regulations of the Riverdale Farm Farmers Market and must comply with them fully.
-Prior to the first Market day vendors will supply the Market Manager with a list of items they will sell. (See application form) Vendors may only sell items listed with the manager. If the vendor repeatedly does not carry a listed item when in season, the market manager holds discretion to remove that item from the vendors list of items. The list may be modified during the course of the season with approval of the Market Manager.
-Vendors will post their names, farm location and products prominently on their stalls. Vendors are encouraged to personalize their stalls with stories and pictures and to share their farming background with their customers.
-Vendors must agree to bring an adequate supply of their primary product.
-Vendors agree to make their stall and products as attractive and as pleasing to the eye as they can.
-Vendors will adhere to the highest standards of quality, service and business.
-Subletting stalls is not permitted.
-Vendors shall honour Riverdale Farm Farmers’ Market promotions, e.g. basket raffles, cooking demos and sampling programmes.
-Vendors agree not to practice distress pricing.
-Vendors shall maintain their stalls in a neat, clean and orderly fashion. Vendors must keep their own refuse in a suitable container at their stall and remove the refuse when they leave. Park garbage containers are for the use of the customers only.
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Smoking is not permitted at any vendor’s stall.
-All vendors must comply with the requirements set by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and local Health Units (labelling produce by type, quantity and price, cooling, sanitation, etc.)This means that if you sell prepared food, you must show documentation as to the location of the kitchen the food was prepared in and its Health Department inspection. Meat sellers must have documentation on the abattoir in which the animals were slaughtered.
-Vendors are responsible for obtaining all necessary licenses, permits, inspections and certificates for the sale of their product.
-Compliance with both Provincial and Federal Sales Tax is the responsibility of the vendor.
-The Riverdale Farm Farmers’ Market is a market of local producers who follow sustainable and organic practices.
-Producers grow and sell their own produce.
-Producers may sell additional from a close neighbour or relative, providing the neighbour or relative also adheres to principles of sustainable and organic farming. Produce from neighbours must not exceed 15%
-Wildcrafters must provide a GPS location of the land harvested and present written permission from the owner of those lands.
-Organic certification is encouraged. A written statement of farming practice is required.
-Absolutely no GMO produce or products are allowed.
-The Market Management will visit Vendor Farms.
Riverdale Farm Farmers Market encourages vendors to seek Local Food Plus Certification.
Vendors who repeatedly violate any of these rules and regulations shall be informed in writing that their membership is under review and could be revoked.
These are the rules established for 2008. There may need to be modifications made throughout the year. Any modifications will be documented and shared with vendors.
The market Management reserves the right to reassign stall locations based on the increase in vendors in the 2008 season to achieve the most appropriate product mix. The Farmers’ Market Manager shall deal with any item of business not specifically covered by these rules.
Riverdale Farm Farmers’ Market will be in its eighth season in 2008.
Riverdale Farm Farmers' Market is in it’s eighth season in 2008. The Market operates from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM each Tuesday, May 13th to October 28 th. Market is located in Riverdale Park West, click for MapQuest
May 12, 2008
Riverdale Farm Farmers' Market starts tomorrow, May 13. This year the Farm will be open until 7:00pm so that means the lower gate will be open as well. Good news for Riverdale residents!
More good news Beretta's Organic Meats is back with beef and pork from the home farm. We welcome Dawn Woodward of Dawn's Dinner Party with home made organic crackers and Marina of Surkl Empanadas with exquisite organic empanadas which come in dinner and cocktail size. Debbie Weicha of Niagara will be coming later in the summer with soft fruit but will be with us tomorrow selling her lavendar. Eramosa Elk will be grilling this year and The Friends of the Farm will make Pizza and a weekly salad and keep the oven going to cook your purchases so you can enjoy a family supper at the new picnic tables. Chris and Lesley of Daily Apple will have their delicious vegan treats and will run childrens excercise programmes through the Park. We look forward to seeing and hearing Mad Dog singing and Winnie playing the dulcimer. We will have to wait a couple of weeks to see Peter and Nicole of Best Baa as they are busy giving birth. We will let you know the outcome as soon as we hear! Bruno and Paula of Fun Guy Mushrooms will be bringing Mapleton's Ice Cream this year. Not everone will be at first market but over the coming weeks our old friends will be coming as the crops start to grow. This year we are going to make the market as waste free as you can. Bring your cloth bags and your own dishes if you can. If you don't have a bag buy one from us. See you tomorrow! Bring your appetite!
Oh yes, Elizabeth Harris is this years recipient of the Green Toronto Award for Community Development in the Community Projects Category. http://www.toronto.ca/greentorontoawards/2008/winners.htm
Congratulations, Elizabeth!
Hi All!
The Market Season is getting close and I am looking forward to the opener on May 13th. The good news is that the Farm will be open until 7:00 on Tuesdays so people can visit and the lower gate will remain open. With the new picnic area in place this season, I am encouraging people to come for a market supper. FRF will have big serving trays so people can circulate and buy their supper without having to bag it. The management encourages you to have ready to serve or cooked food where possible. After discussing the issue with the Farm admin and the FRF board and hearing from several farmers, we have decided not to have CSA pick up at the market. Arlene Stein of Hart House and Paul DeCampo of Slow Food Toronto, Edible Toronto and LFP are planning to highlight local food with a city wide strawberry festival called First Fruits. It will feature events and special menus at restaurants, institutions and Farmers' markets. I would appreciate any ideas you have. Could you also let me know when we are going to have strawberries as soon as you know? Here's to good weather Karma in 2008!
Elizabeth Harris
17 April 2008
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Our 2008 Market Vendors
Akiwenzie’s Fish & More, Wiarton ON
Contact: Andrew & Natasha Akiwenzie 519-534-9056 ; akiwenzie@bmts.com
Akiwenzie's Fish & More is a small First Nations family business. They offer fresh and smoked Georgian Bay fish. The species are usually whitefish and lake trout. Their fresh fish is the previous days catch. The smoked fish is smoked with maple chips and takes approximately 5-7 hours in the smoker. They catch their own fish just north of Wiarton, ON which is on the Bruce Peninsula. Their home reserve is called Chippewas of Nawash. It has a beautiful location right on the shores of Georgian Bay.
Bees Universe,Toronto ON
Contact: Ionel AIecu (John) 416 924 3633; office@beesuniverse.com
John and Irina Alecu keep 150 beehives in 5 different yards close to conservation areas . They sell honey (clover, wildflower, buckwheat), honey comb, bee pollen, propolis (raw and tincture), fresh frozen royal jelly, beeswax candles and also live bees.
Best Baa Farm, Conn ON
Contact: Peter Bzikot pbzikot@highspeedfx.net
Peter has sheep milk cheese, yogurt and fresh lamb cuts. He is a member of Ewenity Dairy Co-operative.
Best Friend Organic Pet Food
Contact: Kate Williamson swilly@sprint.ca
Kate prepares dog and cat treats made with Beretta's meat. Certified organic.
Country Meadows, Queensville ON
Contact: Angelos Kapeleris 905 478 1201; certifiedorganicgardener@rogers.com
Angelos grows olives and produces olive oil and presses goat and sheep's cheeses. Produce: tomatoes, peppers, olives, olive oil, feta, goats cheese. Certified organic.
Curtis Evoy Garden Design & Consultancy, Toronto ON
Contact: Curtis Envoy 416 315 8285; curtis@curtisevoy.com
Curtis’s designs are meticulous, full of life and truly captivating. He works expediently, and conscientiously to provide his clients deeply satisfying gardens to live in and enjoy.
Daily Apple, Toronto, ON
Contact: Lesley Stoyan 416 899 1990; lesley@dailyapple.ca
Chris and Lesley have their delicious vegan treats and are signing up participants for children’s exercise programmes through the Park.
Evelyn’s Crackers, Toronto, ON
Contact: Dawn Woodward 647 448 0731; dawnsdinnerparty@rogers.com
Eramosa Elk Country Store, Rockwood, ON
Contact: Bernie & Martha Schatti 519 856 0041
Bernie and Martha have been in farming all of their lives coming from Mennonite and Swiss backgrounds. They have a 100-acre farm in Rockwood where they naturally raise their elk. They use no hormones, steroids or antibiotics. The elk live outside in large pens all year round. They are certified free of any disease and are inspected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency; their meat is all Government Inspected. Elk meat is very high in iron & protein and very low in fat and cholesterol. Products are MSG- and gluten-free.
Feast of Fields, Jordan ON
Contact: Laura Sabourin laura-sabourin@sympatico.ca
Laura grows cherries, grapes, pears, raspberries and blackberries. They also make grape juice and preserves. Demeter-certified since 1996.
Forbes Wild Food, Toronto ON
Contact: Jonathan Forbes 416 927 9106; forbes@wildfoods.ca
Jonathan offers dried wild mushrooms, wild rice, maple sugar, preserved wild foods, jams, mustards and chestnut flour. Natural wild foods from Canadian sources.
Fun Guy Farm, Goodwood ON
Contact: Bruno Pretto & Paula Vosni 416 402 9755; 416 96 5520; office@mycosource.com
Bruno and Paula are mushroom growers. They have many varieties of fresh mushrooms including shiitake and oyster, mushroom pesto, crackers and Kombucha beverage.
Grandpa’s Garden, Mississauga ON
Contact: Peter Wylie 647 233-7734; pjjmw2003@yahoo.ca
Potatoes, artichokes, baskets.
Greenfields Organic Farm, Campbellville ON
Contact: Lorenz Eppinger (905) 854-5458; lorenz@geenfieldsfarm.ca A full range of vegetables.
Grenville Farms, Severn Bridge ON
Contact: Dianne Kretschmar 705 689 6431 phone/fax; dchurch@bconnex.net
Produce: lettuce, arugula, green onions, french beans, patty pan squash, tomatoes .
Hearty Catering, Richmond Hill ON
Contact: Evelyne Gharibian 416 410 2928; info@HeartyCatering.com
Evelyne prepares a delicious assortment of organic vegetarian and raw main dishes, salads, sushi, sandwiches, desserts and drinks, as well as Sprouts for Life sprouts. Evelyne also does catering for special events and accepts orders for meals to go for delivery at the market.
Kakayo Chocolate Company, Toronto, ON
Contact: 416 828 0402; info@kakayo.com
Merchants of Green Coffee, Toronto ON
Contact: Derek Zavislake 416 741 5369 ; 1 888 741-5369; derek.z@merchantsofgreencoffee.com
Pine River Organic Farm, Lisle ON
Contact: Bob Felhazi 705 424 0917
Quinte Organic Farmers' Co-operative, Quinte ON
Contact: Peter Finch 705 924 1933, herbs@rollinghillsorganics.com
Quinte Organic sells produce from 10 small farms, all certified-organic, in Quinte, Prince Edward, Northumberland and Hastings counties east of Toronto. Specialties include asparagus, mushrooms, strawberries, fresh and dried herbs, cut flowers, tea mixes, mesclun, salad mix, lettuce, beets, carrots, potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn, garlic, beef, lamb, pork, duck, goat.
Round Plains Plantation
Contact: Bob and Juli Proracki 519 443 5847, proracki@kwic.com
Sosnicki Organic Produce, Waterford ON
Contact: Ben Sosnicki and Jessie Snively jessie.snively@sympatico.ca
St. John's Bakery, Toronto ON
Contact: Marc van Beusekom 416 850-7413; marcvanb@interlog.com
St. John's Bakery is a local organic artisan bakery specializing in French levain breads based on recepies from a village bakery in Brittany. St. John's Bakery is a social enterprise business which gives work experience and employment to people on social assistance.
Surkul, Maker of Delicious Argentinean Empanadas, ON
Contact: Marina Quierolo 418 937 1013; surkl@rogers.com
Thorpe’s Organic Produce, Millgrove, ON
Contact: Ted Thorpe 905 689 2114
Ted, a fourth-generation Ontario vegetable farmer, has a 32 acre farm, of which 20 acres is a certified organic market garden. He grows all kinds of vegetables, herbs and fruits and has been OCIA-certified organic since 1990. Produce:lettuce, peas, beans, beets, kale, potatoes, onions, squash.
Toronto Sprouts Toronto, ON
Contact: 416 535 3111 info@torontosprouts.com
Urban Harvest, Earthly Paradise, Toronto ON
Contact: Colette Murphy 416 504 1653; grow@uharvest.ca
Produce: certified organic seedlings and soil enhancements, bedding plants and garden products.
