Volunteering at market | Trinity Bellwoods Farmers Market

Market is once a week during the growing season: Tues 3pm -7pm operates rain/shine.

Depending on volume of applications we may not be able to accommodate everyone, but we’ll do our best. Under 18? It is required to have the consent of your guardian and/or parent. Yes highschool students can get their community hours!

Orientation document is a must read if you’re interested 2024 TBFM Volunteer orientation

SHIFTS in brief:

Openers 12noon-3:30 crucial set up of curbside pylons to reserve vendor parking and monitor, set up the organizers tent(s), location clean up, misc tasks, help transport vendors’ product from vehicle to their stall location as they arrive. This is physical.

Market 3-7pm tending info tent, customer service, misc tasks (x2 two people at most)

Closers 6:45pm to 7:45 help wrap out vendors & organizers set up. This is physical.

Operating shift 12noon to 7:45pm Onsite/on the day logistics coordinator working under/along side manager. Basic tasks: ensure proper physical set up (vendor parking/stall locations/info tent etc.) for 3pm ready. Ideal candidate: season commitment, be organized, conscientious and comfortable communicating with people, enjoy the urban outdoors in all weather and bring their a good sense of humour and leave the ego at home. There are some physical aspects – some lifting, pulling wagons, can be lots of walking to and fro. This position has potential to evolve. This may suit a semi-retired person looking to keep active or if you work out of your home and set your own hours – perfect break away from the desk!. It’s recommended to volunteer for at least 4 shifts first to see if it’s a fit, get to know each other and we can go from there! Days off can be coordinated once up to speed.

2024 Volunteer application link HERE

Thanks for your patience.

Volunteering for the market is a fulfilling experience and you become a part of an eclectic team of like minded community members that have an interest in sustaining market operations. You get to learn about where and how food grows in Ontario and spend some quality time outdoors in the park. It’s good old fashioned team work, we have fun and enjoy learning from each other.

Masks are not required but everyone involved with the market are expected to respect individuals that want to continue to mask up. We aim for a positive and accessible experience for all that come. Volunteers must be able to take direction/instruction by manager/volunteer coordinator when required. If you are unable to do this, please do not apply to be a volunteer.

Volunteer expectations in brief, but not limited to…essentially if you are polite and considerate, that’s half the battle! 😉

able to take instruction from the volunteer coordinators/manager to successfully do the task at hand.
show up to your shift on time, let us know in due time if any changes.
bring your friendly disposition and humour – leave your ego at home 😉
help transport vendors product from their vehicle to stall location & reverse at wrap under vendors direction.
we go rain or shine – dress appropriately for the weather.
able to comfortably communicate with patrons if required.

Thank you in perpetuity to these generous community volunteers for their significant and/or continuing contributions to the farmers’ market:

2007 Scott Cinello – for partnering with me as co-founder to get this baby off the ground. He was instrumental in designing the market, it’s mandate and curated the original vendor line up. All of which continue to guide the market principles to this day.
Kent Price – shelves/coat rack for the market shed and other ongoing handy stuff.
Martha Malloy and Connor – x4 promotional sandwich boards (they are so solid!).
2015 Veronica Park – Illustrator/designer of our 10th year postcard and our 2018 buttons illustrations.
Nadege Patisserie & The County General for letting us store our sandwich boards at their establishments between market days (pre-covid)
David Ginsberg of the White Squirrel Cafe – who on his own initiative, rallied a handful of businesses to donate funds towards replacement our wagons/dolly that were stolen from the old shed when it was busted into.
David Johnston – our website master (who responds to my every self-induced backend panic)
2010 Nativity of the Mother of God, Father Marek for their continued support.
Claire Midgley & Ed DeSousa for painting our ‘Vendor Parking Only’ sign.
2016 Bob Pritchard – painting our ‘walk your bike’ sign.
Dawn Rzepka our reliable and always pleasant off site musician coordinator.
2020 Amanda Pickup – our COVID volunteer coordinator extraordinaire.
2021 Tory Healy – full season COVID volunteer coordinator extraordinaire.
2022 Elio Weiss for the artwork that adorns our new little sandwich board sign.
2022 Jodi Lastman as our first post-COVID volunteer coordinator.
2023 & 2024 Sara Khalid as volunteer coordinator
2024 Bob Whalen for revamping the Walk Your Bike and Vendor Parking signage.
And to the many returning volunteers who are truly the gifts that keep on giving!

Thank you to the City of Toronto, Parks, Forestry and Recreation former Councillors Joe Pantalone, Mike Layton, Joe Cressy and current Ward 10 Councillor Ausma Malik and the Friends of Trinity Bellwoods Park for their unwavering support.