Another Junction Night Market Success!
In 2018, together we raised over $21,000 for local food security initiatives in and around The Junction!
On behalf of the 2018 Junction Night Market team, we would like to extend massive heaps of gratitude for all of the amazing work leading up to and including the evening of our Junction Night Market!
Over many emails, meetings, phone calls and cups of coffee, we were able to come together to support folks in and around The Junction. We did it!
With your support and dedication we were able to raise over a record-smashing $21,000 !!!! for programs that help people access fresh, local food, including our own voucher program administered in partnership with The Four Villages Community Health Centre. The funds also support programs at other food organizations such as Everdale, Food Secure Canada, FoodShare, Roots to Harvest, Slow Food Toronto, and The Stop Community Food Centre. It takes a village to make this happen!
Special Thanks
We wish to express thanks to each of those who made up our Junction Night Market village:
- To the vendors: Your skill in crafting beautifully creative and delicious food and drink brings smiles to so many faces, much beyond the Night Market. For it is through your hard work and generousity that those who come to support the Night Market enjoy themselves and also provides the funds through which we can support the programs mentioned above. Our gratitude is infinite and we look forward to continuing to continuing this great work together.
- To the volunteers: Your time and effort is appreciated beyond words. Without you, JFM would not be able to pull off an event that greeted thousands of people this past weekend. You all collectively met your roles with kindness and a genuine team spirit, and helped cultivate an experience for folks to remember. Never underestimate your power as a volunteer, for it is many hands that make light work though we know full well you worked your butts off, and with smiles to boot. Bravo! We would like to make special mention of a few who took on particular roles: our dedicated photographer Olivia Kozela, our valiant First Aider Julia Lee, our two crew assistants Megan Scarth and Jen Chang, and our sound/stage person David Poulin who put in immense work for 10 straight hours. Amazing work!
- To the musicians: What an absolutely fantastic job! For Keeps, Benjamin Doerksen, and Kil0gram just wow. This past weekend was by far the most packed and engaged audience we have yet to entertain, and my goodness did you entertain! Music is an integral part of any good party, and you created such a warm, inviting and fun place to be. Your art is valued and JFM is entirely grateful.
- To The Four Villages Community Health Centre: Working with you is what this event is in large part about. Through you we are able to bring meaning to such fun, by providing access to healthy food with dignity for local residents. You also helped us bring on two amazing crew assistants, and have provided countless other forms of support throughout the seasons. You're simply wonderful.
- To Oldstonehenge and Clifton Blake: You provide and carefully manage a unique urban space to hold our weekly market and Night Market, both of which bring so much joy to our community. Thank you for your kindness and generousity we sincerely appreciate it!
- To The Beet: Your support over these past several years has been paramount to running a smooth operation, and we could not do it without you. From the bottom of our hearts, we extend a universe of gratitude and thanks.
- To Sparrow Tree Productions: The success of our live music this year is a testament to the thoughtful and detailed curation provided in kind by you. Your work is wondrous, Sarah, and JFM looks forward to working with you again.
- To Indie88: You kept the music and fun going on Pacific. Your continued support helps us create a livelier space every year. Thank you!
- To Take My Junk: Events can leave large amounts of waste behind and it requires careful consideration to ensure that it is handled properly. Through your support and generousity, Andres, we were able to create a smoother process for our volunteers in handling the waste this year, and we were able to leave the event site just as clean as we found it. Many many thanks!
- To Dream Zero: Your reusable mugs were a hit! While we may have run out of cups, lessons were in no short supply. We can't wait to take them all and move forward in creating a greener event. For the attendees and vendors absolutely loved our new initiative and we look forward to growing with you from this experience!
- To the Junction BIA: As always, your support is welcomed and appreciated more than we can say. It is truly a gift to work with such amazing community members, and we look forward to growing that relationship.
- To the Sorauren Farmers Market: Giant games made for giant fun folks loved it. Working with another farmers market represents, for us, the true nature of cooperation within our city. Thank you for helping us bring further joy to our event!
- To the West Toronto Paint & Wallpaper: For always helping us step up literally. We could not have strung those lights without you!
- To all the other countless event vendors and contributors, elected representatives and collaborators, we value your service and support to our event and community more than we could possibly express.
- Finally to our families, friends, neighbours and communities who supported each of us in endeavouring to make such an event happen, and to all of you that came out!
Final Note
To everyone, thank you again for helping us and joining us to bring our community together through food, drink, and song. We are overwhelmed by such displays of community, dedication and kindness. This event makes a huge difference for Junction residents and families who now have increased access to healthy food.
Although the event has just finished, we are already thinking about next year; how to achieve the same
success and beyond. For this, we would love to get your feedback – for the entire journey to get to Saturday including all the peaks and valleys. We’re always striving to do better, so please tell us how. We sincerely appreciate your input.
Thank you again, and we hope to see you next year!