Creemore Farmers' Market News
By Jean Brownfield
While I was worrying that a
hint of winter might creep
back to haunt us, it seems
that spring arrived. The pre-market
meeting for the 2007
season was held with much
excitement, befitting a 10-
year history. The village has many new
faces and several of them are quite
eager to offer their wares at market this
year. This weekly article is an attempt
to introduce newcomers and long-time
residents to the fun and enriching
experience of shopping at farmers'
markets.
One thing many people in Ontario, and
no doubt other parts of Canada, may not
realize is that our farmers' markets are
two totally different breeds. There are
those highly acclaimed markets like St.
Jacobs, St. Lawrence, and Kitchener-
Waterloo which offer a year-long variety
of fruits, vegetables and everything but
the kitchen sink. (Do you ever wonder
where they get those fresh blueberries
in January?)
Then there are the other, grassroots
markets that sell only locally grown
produce. Sure, it limits us a bit, but if
you want bananas and pineapples,
Foodland carries those. We can't
promise you tomatoes in June, we can't
even promise you vegetables for the first
few markets! Our farmers are still busy
planting.
What we can and do promise
is that when you pick up that
head of lettuce or those
tomatoes, you can ask your
questions to the person behind
the table, because he or she is
the one who grew them! And
by the way, you won't find
kitchen sinks, either.
What you will find this year, our tenth
anniversary, is over 30 vendors, ranging
from organic vegetable farmers and
honeymakers to bakers and jewellery
designers. As the weeks go by, they'll
be showcased in this article so that you
can feel that you know the vendors at
your market.
Saturday, May 19 marks our season
opener and as is our tradition, we have
giveaways and draws for our visitors,
no cost and no purchase necessary.
There will be Gardening Life magazines
and plants for the first 100 at the Market
booth, near the coffee booth. As a
special treat, the free plants will be
heritage tomatoes complete with
information about the criteria that makes
a heritage tomato and growing
instructions, compliments of Cut & Dried
Flower Farm and Bill Mann.
We're also proud to welcome Cathy
Nesbitt, an authority on vermiculture.
Vermicomposting reduces the amount of
garbage going to the landfill. The
average Canadian produces a metric
tonne of waste each year, about 1/3 of it
being organic matter. Worm composting
is odourless when operating effectively
and produces beautiful black castings,
a nitrogen-rich natural fertilizer, totally
organic and one of the best soil
additives on the planet. Cathy will join
us at our season opener to educate
visitors on the benefits of vermiculture
in composting. Don't miss it.
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