About Withrow Market
Withrow Park Farmers’ Market has been a neighbourhood staple since 2006, providing access to food, fun, music and community, while supporting local organic farmers, food producers, artisans and musicians. Support the market and make a donation today!
We strive to be a well-run, financially secure, and inclusive farmers’ market, championing both community-led initiatives and environmental stewardship.
The market runs seasonally from June to October, guided by a Manager and an Assistant. Our staff are supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, including a Board of Directors, an Operations committee and a Back Office committee.
Meet our team
Emily Templeman
Market Manager
Emily is so excited to be joining the incredible team at Withrow Park Farmers’ Market this summer! Most recently, Emily has been working in theatre and brings years of management experience to her position as Market Manager. Emily is drawn to community-centred work and cares deeply about accessibility. Outside of work, Emily loves painting, learning musical instruments, and going on adventures with her dog!
Mary Fragedakis
Co-Chair, Board of Directors
Mary is a local economic development professional with extensive experience in both the private and public sector. A former Toronto City Councillor, she championed the food justice movement at City Hall and advocated for a sustainable, inclusive, resilient and diverse food system that improves health, nutrition, food security, economic development and environmental sustainability. Mary also served as a member of the Golden Horseshoe Food & Farming Alliance and advanced an urban perspective on the importance of the Greenbelt in providing environmental benefits to the living city.
Mary is also a member of the Back Office committee.
Mary Vallis Cowan
Co-Chair, Board of Directors
Mary is a journalist, educator and entrepreneur. For her, the market represents a place to bring people together, build social capital and showcase creativity. She is particularly fond of watermelon radishes.
Mary is also a member of the Operations committee.
Kathryn Ellis
Member, Board of Directors
Almost 20 years ago, Kathryn Ellis saw the signs “Coming soon” and ran home to tell her husband, “We’re getting a Farmers’ Market!” And she’s been at the market most Saturdays ever since! A former publicist and retired high school teacher, Kathryn now turns her energies to many Market projects: she was an editor of Market Days: A Withrow Park Farmers’ Market Cookbook and contributes to and edits the Market newsletter among other projects. If you’re looking for her, just come by Withrow Park any Saturday in Market season.
Kathryn is also Chair of the Operations committee.
Lucy Eveleigh
Member, Board of Directors
Lucy Eveleigh is the Executive Producer at the Luminato Festival. Previously she was at the Toronto Fringe for over a decade, joining as the Managing Director and then becoming the Executive Director in 2017. Lucy has also worked at SummerWorks Performance Festival, Necessary Angel and as the Director and Founder of Zoofest, an alternate festival under the umbrella of Just for Laughs/Juste pour rire. Originally from Somerset, England Lucy worked at the Pleasance in both London and Edinburgh, one of the largest venues at the Edinburgh Fringe. Lucy is also a certified life coach and was a long-time volunteer at the Distress Centre. She serves on the Balancing Act Board and is an advisory member of the PAC Centennial College Theatre. Lucy has two children, and two cats.
Lucy is a also a member of the Back Office committee.
Lauren Harvey
Member, Board of Directors
Lauren is seasoned marketing and operations executive with over 20 years of experience. She is passionate about using her skills to solve complex operational issues. Her love of her community shines through with her work at the market and her burgeoning green thumb, as she works to create a beautiful garden that all can enjoy. In her free time she likes to travel, scuba dive and spend time with her husband and her cat.
Lauren is also a member of the Operations committee.
Clemence Leveau-Vallier
Member, Board of Directors
Clem is a seasoned marketer, a cyclist, a mother of 3, a sometimes crafter, and a budding gardener. She’s passionate about good food, sustainability, and community, which are all cornerstones of Withrow Farmer’s Market. On market days you can find her loading up on fresh fruits and veggies, catching up with friends, enjoying some of the delicious market food, and occasionally selling some of her crafts.
Clemence is also a member of the Back Office committee.
Kadence Bunke
Member, Operations committee
Kadence is an urban planner, runner, cyclist, and avid baker. She first volunteered at the Market in 2021, and it quickly became her favourite place to spend Saturday mornings! She joined the Operations Committee in 2024 and enjoys working behind the scenes to help the Market run smoothly. She’s passionate about local food systems and the local community. Every month brings amazing produce to Withrow Park Farmers’ Market, but Kadence thinks concord grape season is the best season.
Janet Robins
Member, Operations committee
Janet is a consultant specializing in the design of waste diversion programs and policies for First Nations and municipal clients. She joined Withrow Market over a decade ago, championing their commitment to local sustainable agriculture and zero waste. Known locally as ‘Ms. Doolittle, Janet rescues dogs, cats, hedgehogs, turtles, and more. An enthusiastic gardener, she has little success growing veggies and relies on the market to supply her with raspberries, peaches, salad ingredients and prepared treats from the vendors.
Janet was a member of the Board of Directors for 10 years and Chair of the Operations committee.
Esther Sissons
Member, Operations committee
Esther is a digital and content marketing specialist, with a seasoned background in retail, sales and merchandising. 2024 was her first season at Withrow Farmer’s Market, where she was the Social Media Ambassador and is now helping with the newsletter. Esther has always been an avid writer, and is inspired by the passion in the vendors and the people she meets at the market. In her spare time she enjoys exploring the city, doing outreach work some evenings, charm making, thrifting and swapping. She loves all things furry and fluffy.
Stacey Waspe
Member, Operations committee
Stacey is a freelance web and graphic designer, with 20+ years experience shaping language to the web. She is into data visualization, seed-saving, circular economies, and all things zero waste. Stacey is a gardener, an amateur genealogist and a member of the Guild of One Name Studies. A certified plant-nerd, she loves pollinator gardens, blueberries, gluten-free brownies and will fight you for the last eggplant. Stacey is a mom, step-mom and has two cats. At the Market, you can usually find her chaos wrangling at the monthly swaps.
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