How it all started...
In April 2001, an enthusiastic and energetic group who called themselves, the Friends of Riverdale Farm, recognized the need to enhance the ambiance of the City-operated Riverdale Farm. FRF was incorporated in November 2001 and in a short time of its establishment, working in partnership with Toronto Parks and Recreation, and alongside the Farm Advisory Committee, has significantly enhanced the experience visiting Riverdale Farm, as well as contributed to the programs and services to visitors.
FRF volunteers run the Farm Kitchen, a snack bar which serves delicious home baked cookies and treats. The Shop at the Farm is a delightful gift shop carrying the works of local artists and artisans. Friends' first permanent project in partnership with the Farm Advisory Committee and Toronto Parks and Recreation, was the construction of the wood fired oven. Friends' volunteers fire the oven every Tuesday in the winter and summer to bake bread. In the growing season, Friends run the Farmers' Market in Riverdale Park on Tuesdays 3 to 7 pm.
The projects undertaken by this grassroots fundraising volunteer committee, have yielded some very favorable results. They have enabled the reinvesting of funds into existing facilities to improve and update them. These in turn have benefited the Farm's visitors.
Anyone can be a Friend! New members and volunteers are welcome and are essential. Now, in its second year, FRF has some 200 + members, many of whom are from the Cabbagetown neighborhood and from the greater Toronto area. Some are even from out-of-province!. New members often become involved as their way of giving back to Riverdale Farm. Incredible as it is, admission to Riverdale Farm is free and it is open 365 days of the year. Becoming a member reaffirms one's belief in the Farm and what it means to him/her.
Much has been accomplished in the little time that the Friends have been together. More members, funds and ideas will enable the momentum to continue. Please join us.
June 2002
January 31, 2008
Director’s Report 2007
Farmers’ Market Annual Report 2007
On the surface The Friends of Riverdale Farm has had another successful and satisfying year but our non profit status has proved all too true. We are running a deficit and will have to make some changes in 2008 in order to stay afloat.
We have welcomed some interesting and energetic volunteers into the group of old faithful helpers and said goodbye to some who became our fast friends. Our wonderful Sawako from Japan left a great void when she went back to take up her job engineering car parts but in September we were lucky enough to find Aki one of the most engaging and enthusiastic volunteers of all times. We also welcomed Michael and Ethan who were earning volunteer credits for high school.
FRF again participated in workshops and conferences dedicated to the promotion of healthy lifestyle and eating. We attended the Guelph Organic Conference in February, the Growing up Organic Conference in February at 89 Chestnut Street in Toronto. March saw us at The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Saint Catherines and in October we attended the World Wildlife Green Carpet event at The North St Lawrence Market. This event brought together well known chefs, vintners and food providers who sampled their wares to raise money to protect the environment. The Friends of Riverdale Farm had a booth ably handled by Kevin and Linda and took samples from our market vendors and our own delicious baking. We were one of the most popular booths at the event. As if having a booth was not enough, the organizers held an Iron Chef competition and Andrew Eade, a young chef who shops the market sourced the ingredients at the market just before the event with environmentalist Gill Deacon. The competition was between Joshna Maharaj of the Stop and master chef David Wolfman of the Cooking with the Wolfman show. Sarah Harmer and Trish Magwood .were among the judges.
The market was in its seventh Year in 2007. We were blessed with good weather on market days right through October. As members of Farmers’ Markets Ontario we were able to qualify for grant money which helped pay for market canopies. This year we thought we would hold another winter market on Parliament Street but the Farmers were too exhausted from going to some of the new markets in Trinity Bellwoods and Withrow Park. It was just as well as the weather was very cold in November and December.
The Rite of Spring Festival which signals the start of the market at the beginning of May was a big success and our pamphleting at the Cabbagetown Forsythia Festival drew a lot of favorable comments and joy that the market was about to begin.
With fine weather in June the lettuce, salad greens, wild leeks and strawberries came in on time but the strawberries season was disappointingly short. We held the Market dinner on the 21st of June with the Help of Trish Magwood of the Dish Cooking School with her wonderful chef Elena. They made a tasty gaspacho and delicious hors d’oeuvres. The featured wood fired oven roasted leg of lamb from Seldom Seen Seldom Heard Farm who generously put an easement on their farm to protect it from development in the future. Micha and Jackson Kennedy brought the J.K. french fry maker and fixed the famous fries right at the table. We were again blessed with new vegetables from Quinte and Sosnicki and salad of organic field lettuce from Dianne Kretschmar, Ramembert cheese from Best Baa, and a wonderful Strawberry dessert prepared by Daniel et Daniel was a delicious end to the meal. The weather was perfect this year and a good time was had by all. Duncan Fremlin and Whiskey Jack provided the entertainment and wines were donated by Henry of Pelham and Beer by Mill Street Brewery. Austin Delaney served as auctioneer again and there was some lively bidding for items presented by Erin Sasabuchi and Julie Longhurst.
The Market welcomed new young strawberry and corn growers Geoff and Graham Taylor from Stouffville who supplied the strawberries for the Midsummer Dinner and corn for the Tasting Fair. We also increased the breadth of the Market with the presence of Round Plains Sweet potatoes and Avalon Organic Orchards.
We had terrific weather on Tuesdays during August and there was a good supply of sweet corn and tomatoes throughout the month as well as a good supply of soft fruit. The highlight of the month was the second annual Tasting Fair and Tomato and Corn Fest on August 28th We ground and canned tomatoes for sauce which is on display in the front room in Simpson House. Kevin and Kate make soup for the Snack Bar with it. We roasted corn in the oven. Chefs, Ezra Title, Andrew Milne- Allen and Tobey Nameth chef at Jamie Kennedy’s Wine Bar all donated dishes to our tasting table. . After the Market we held the Vendors meeting and pot luck supper at the tables in the park. The prepared food vendors brought delicious dishes and the farmers gave meat and produce which were prepared by Elizabeth and the FRF staff in the oven.
September was another month of fine Tuesdays. The Farm Fall Fair and Cabbagetown Festival were a great success. FRF again sponsored the Square Dance at the fall festival which went off without a hitch this year. To attract participants the fiddler did a quick step around the Craft Fair like the pied piper and led people in.
We had a last market party at Elizabeth’s house after the 30th market. It was a nippy day so all were glad to sit in front of the fire and eat. The consensus was that 2007 was a good year for the market.
At the market The Friends of the Farm table was again managed by volunteers Kathy and Elsie and Linda throughout the entire market season along with Aki and Carol, Ethan and Michael. The market was favorably mentioned on the radio and in all the newspapers this season.
The Shop continues to be well stocked with interesting and imaginative gifts, books and cards wrapped attractively for all occasions from hostess gifts to birthdays and weddings thanks to Lorna and volunteers Linda, Kate, Bev, Janet, Michelle and Myron. Many of our products are the works of local artists and artisans but we feel that our merchandise needs to include more local work so a shop committee has been formed to revamp the room and merchandise. At the same time a Kitchen committee has been formed to update the menu and get new ideas. Starting in March FRF will welcome volunteer Steven Hanson of Saint John’s Bread who will be baking artisanal bread in the oven on weekends.
The Shop preview this year featured flute player Jamie Thompson who went to the poultry barn and serenaded the turkey and the pigs. The Gift Shop is open from 10 to 4, Tuesday through Sunday and can take phone orders and arrange for pick up outside of business hours.
Looking to the future The Friends of Riverdale Farm in partnership with the Recreation Department has developed the front north west room as a culinary demonstration room where we are displaying preserved and bottled fruits and vegetables which were processed as they came into season as well as cooking and baking with groups. Dan Gallagher, a master cabinet maker donated his workmanship and time to build a beautiful 19th century wall unit which was designed with input from food historians Dorothy Duncan and Liz Driver. Dan is measuring up the room to add more storage cabinets
We have plans to develop a map showing the location of all the farms which participate in our market, with Amy Low who designed and maintains our website www.friendsofriverdalefarm.com
The Friends of Riverdale Farm hopes that they are making a difference to the Cabbagetown community. We depend on our members and volunteers to keep things going. We need you to renew your membership or sign up a friend or neighbour and if you would like to help out in The Shop or The Farm Kitchen please call Lorna at 416 961 8787 or email Elizabeth at elizharr@rogers.com.. We will give letters of credit for volunteer hours in the kitchen and ask only a minimum of a weekly three hour commitment.
Elizabeth Harris
Managing Director
The Friends of Riverdale Farm: Director’s Report 2004
The Friends of Riverdale Farm began 2004 with a long hard winter. The snack bar was closed for a time because the pipes froze and the ceiling in the foyer came down. The snack bar however re-opened and Toronto was supplied once again with delicious cookies and hot beverages. Veronica kept things cheerful with the able assistance of volunteers Arlene and Jeannie. Thanks to volunteers Marnie Price and Dan O’Leary the rebuilt oven resumed baking delicious organic bread.
The organic Market opened in May at the Rites of Spring Festival and had the best season ever. Our regular growers were joined by Peter Bzikot of Best Baa Farm with lamb and wonderful sheep milk cheese and yogurt, Everdale Organic Farm which is active in education and Kate Ross of Hosswood Farm who grows a variety of heritage vegetables and delectable miniature veggies . The Friends of the Farm table was manned or should I say womaned ably by volunteers Kathy and Elsie throughout the entire market season. New last season were the Strawberry and Tomato Festivals. The Strawberry Hulling competition was a lot of fun and the Shortcake served on glass plates was out of this world! Thanks to Home Hardware and Bernardin for contributing the supplies for canning the tomato sauce and to Nancy for running the canning booth.
FRF’s annual midsummer dinner was set up perfectly in the patio by the oven on June. Guest chefs Jamie Kennedy and Daniel Clairet were setting up their batterie de cuisine, fifty-five pounds of Organic beef from Beretta’s was roasting in the oven and the bar had just opened with organic wine from Malivoire Winery and our devoted volunteer Dan O’Leary was roasting in the oven when the heavens opened. Our guests deftly removed the table settings and repaired to the Meeting House where the feast proceeded without missing a beat.
Our first Shop with the Chef course with author food historian Dorothy Duncan was a resounding success. Dorothy prepared delicious roasted vegetables and summer pudding from her cook book No Small Comfort in the wood-fired oven.
On Tuesday July 20th FRF presented a Literary Cabaret staring Rick Davey and Marilyn Bolivant . This talented pair performed all winter in San Miguel de Allende. Their revue included songs and readings about markets and farms and turned out to be delightful midsummer entertainment despite the deluge which drove the audience into the drive shed during intermission. Organic beer was supplied by our own local brewery, Mill Street Brewery which is located in the Distillery District. We hope to repeat this event during the 2005 season.
FRF has been working with Merchants of Green Coffee a Fair Trade, organic coffee distributer which has developed a blend of coffee especially for The Friends of Riverdale Farm. We now serve this blend at The Farm Kitchen and it is available in half pound packages at The Shop on the Farm. The coffee is delivered fresh roasted twice a week.
The Shop continues to be well stocked with interesting and imaginative gifts, books and cards wrapped attractively for all occasions from hostess gifts to birthdays and weddings thanks to Lorna and volunteers Linda, Sharon, Kathy, Nancy and Anne. Many of our products are the works of local artists and artisans. We take phone orders.
The Friends of Riverdale Farm hopes that is making a difference to the Cabbagetown community. We depend on our wonderful volunteers. If you would like to help out in The Shop or The Farm Kitchen please call Lorna at 416 961 8787. We will give letters of credit for volunteer hours and ask only a minimum of a weekly three hour commitment.
Elizabeth Harris,
Managing Director
Posted October 6, 2005
The Friends of Riverdale Farm Annual Report 2003
The Friends of Riverdale Farm kept the home fires burning during the winter of 2003 despite the severe winter weather. There was always a welcome cup of hot cider or hot chocolate and home baked cookies and sandwiches on bread from the wood fired oven for those brave enough to venture forth. Volunteer bakers kept the oven fired practically every Tuesday. There were special treats for St. Valentine’s day and for St. Patrick’s day and the oven was fired up to bake pizza over the March Break.
In April the temperature soared to double digits, the snow melted and the crocus and snowdrops appeared and activity increased at the farm. The Friends of the Farm in making preparations for the return of the Organic Farmers Market held a mini market which was a welcome opportunity for people to get outdoors. We are planning another for Monday April 12th, Easter Monday this year. The Farmers’ Market opened the first week in May with many producers participating in the rites of Spring Festival which took place on a perfect spring day.
In 2003, we joined Farmers’ Markets Ontario which gave us access to new educational and promotional resources.
A special Members Dinner was held in June featuring fresh produce from the Market and organic meats roasted in the wood fired oven. The meal was prepared by chef Yasser Qahawish of the Law Society of Upper Canada and served beautifully by his kitchen and wait staff and our dedicated volunteers. The tables were set by a committee of volunteers and the exquisite flower arrangements were provided by Curtis Evoy. The weather cooperated and we dined to the music of neighbourhood band Whiskey Jack.
The Friends of Riverdale Farm Market has had a third successful season, although there were some humps to overcome. The SARS crisis and the power outage cut revenues at the Market and at the shop and kitchen. Despite these setbacks FRF was able to donate $1000.to help improve the gardens around the duck pond. The Farmers’ Market was well attended by loyal supporters and extended for 3 weeks to November 11th despite terrible weather on Tuesdays.
FRF teamed up with Barnyard Arts to sponsor the Barn Dance at the Fall Festival with local celebrity band Whiskey Jack. It was a magical evening, with the full moon rising over the barn and young and old enjoying the music and dancing. FRF was also active during the Festival with guest baker Omar from Ace Bakery baking mini baguettes on Saturday and wood-fired oven baker Lenny Kormiol of Vinehaven Bakery making his signature long pizzas with organic toppings.
The Shop at the Farm kicked off it’s Christmas season with an open house on November 16th. Once Again there was a stunning array of reasonably priced gifts and decorations. The shop was open during the Home for the Holidays celebration on December 13th .
In a zealous fit of baking enthusiasm and an unfortunate set of circumstances the oven roof burned last spring. It was rebuilt with the assistance of Bruce Allen of Stray Light Construction and funded jointly by the City and FRF.
This year we are planning a series of events on Market days which we hope will increase participation and enjoyment. We hope to have busking groups and theatre presentations at the market this year as well as special shop with the chef days featuring famous local chefs. Please see the attached list of proposed events.
There are still openings for many volunteers with the oven baking group, in The Shop and in the Kitchen. If you can help out for a three hour period, please contact Elizabeth at 416 960 0370 or send an e-mail to elizharr@rogers.com . We are also accepting young volunteers 16 years and older who need to complete community service for High School graduation. Volunteers will receive training from the Recreation Director.
The Friends of Riverdale Farm honours Outstanding Volunteers for 2003. Shop volunteers Sharon Cunningham and Kathy Zayack, Baker Dan O'leary, kitchen manager, Veronica Goddard and webmaster Amy Low.
Elizabeth Harris, Managing Director
Treasurer's Report 2003
Friends of Riverdale Farm was founded in April 2001 in response to Community concern about the future of the Farm and particularly the animals, by Elizabeth Harris, Dale Fechner and Anita Whyte in March. Since that time staff funding problems have disappeared and the City is doing it’s upmost to see that Riverdale Farm retains its vibrancy. This is very largely due to efforts by Councillor Pam McConnell and pressure from the neigbourhood. The Friends started a membership drive in April 2001, the snack bar was opened in July, the Farmers’ Market in June and the Shop in December. We opened an account with CIBC on March 19,2001. In November the Friends was Incorporated in the Province of Ontario as a not for profit corporation. In January book keeping procedures were set up. In April, 2002, the Friends opened a VISA account with a very low interest rate for non profit organizations. Our revenues increased monthly. We covered the expenses of outfitting and stocking the Kitchen and the Shop as well as contributing to many projects at the farm. In August 2002 we opened an ING Business savings account whith an interest rate of 2.75% and had a balance of $10,009.04at the end of the 2002 fiscal year.
In January 2003 we changed our fiscal year end to match the calendar year, which is why the AGM was scheduled for January 2004. It was postponed until now because of inclement weather. The activities of Friends has increased. The large volume of visitors in spring and summer meant we had to take on more paid staff. SARS and the power outage of last summer took their toll. We have all the accounting systems in order and are in good standing with PST, GST, and unemployment insurance. We posted receipts of $67,646.89 but the expenses incurred were $77, 015.77. This left us at the break even point at the end of the fiscal year, eating up the funds in the ING account. We are still in the process of applying for charity status but the bottom line is that we need more volunteers to help out in the Shop and Kitchen. We need to find people who can solicit donations of ingredients in the kitchen and things to sell in the shop. The 2003 audit is being prepared by CA Gordon Cunningham and will be available on demand.
The accounting procedures have been worked on this year by board member Jan Goulding and Elizabeth Harris.
Posted April 6, 2004
