One of our favourite things about spring is all the wonderful farmer’s markets that bring fresh Ontario products from farm to table. Here are a few reasons why you should support your local farmer’s market:
- Support local farms and connect with the farmers who prepare your food
- Know where your food comes from! Ask the farmers questions about the food, and how best to integrate it into your cooking. Farmers have the best recipes!
- Most small farms are family owned and community oriented.
- Support your community by visiting a market and interacting with all the activities and people and by strengthening the local economy
- Support farmers who are committed to the humane treatment of their animals
- Preserve the farmland and green spaces by supporting these farms
- Learn which fruits and vegetables are in season and get advice regarding how to get the most out of them.
- These markets usually have other local artisans, which makes for a great day of exploring and finding new things!
- Do your part to help reduce large-scale industrial farming by limiting the distance your food must go before it reaches your table.
The following foods are from the Dirty Dozen list (foods recommended you buy organic to avoid over exposure to pesticides) and the months in which they are in season:
JUNE: Cherries, strawberries, spinach
JULY: Peaches, celery, tomatoes, bell peppers
AUGUST: Apples, nectarines, pears, grapes
Our own local market is the Markham Farmer’s Market:
Every Saturday – 8 AM until 1 PM
132 Robinson Street
Come and enjoy fresh fruit, vegetables, honey,organic breads and baked goods, meat and enjoy lunch at the Market Grill! New musicians performing this year to make every Saturday a full day of fun and activities!
Other Farmer’s Markets in the area include:
Reesor’s – 10825 Ninth Line, Monday to Saturday 9 AM – 6:30 PM
Unionville – 9 Station Lane, every Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM
Uxbridge: 291 Brock Street West, every Sunday 9 AM – 1 PM
