By Shelly Khushal
One of my absolute favourite things to do in the summer is visit York Region’s Farmers’ Markets. In addition to produce fresh from the farm, there are a ton of other food items and products, as well as activities for the kids.
We’ll be visiting Farmers’ Markets across York Region this summer but here are four to start the adventure and some tips on what to buy when and why you might want to go the Farmers’ Market route.
Optimum freshness – Get to know your when your produce is available.
In my conversation with Shannon from Forsthye Family Farms at Newmarket Farmers’ Market, she explained the best times to buy produce.
Early season (May-June) – strawberries, peas, beans, lettuce, kale, chard, green onion, bok choi, gooseberries, kohlrabi, asparagus, rhubarb, arugula, radishes.
Mid-season (July-August) – the farm produces all the cole crops (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower), pick-your-own flowers, cucumbers, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, radicchio, corn, celery and fruit.
Late season (September) – squash, apples, pears, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, broad beans and even sunflowers.
Why buy at a Farmers’ Market?
Shopping at your local Farmers’ Market is always the best option as produce is typically picked few days before it reaches the market, so you’ll have the longest lasting produce.
This year at the Newmarket location, Forsythe Family Farms is offering a B.Y.O.C (bring your own container) program for the many salad mixes they offer. This is to encourage the market community to bring tupperware from home to fill up and skip the bag. Tupperware also happens to be the best way to store your greens!
Newmarket Farmers’ Market
Located at The Riverwalk Commons, Doug Duncan Drive, Newmarket (corner of Doug Duncan and Timothy St.)
Open Saturdays 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
May-October
The splash pad is open at Newmarket Farmer’s Market.
Aurora Farmers’ Market
Located at 49 Wells Street, Aurora, Ontario
Open Saturdays 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
May-October
Weekly crafts for kids + Aurora Mayor does a weekly drop in visit.
Georgina Farmers’ Market
Located at 20849 Dalton Road, Sutton, Ontario, L4P 3E9
Open Sundays 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
May-Sept
The Georgina Farmer’s Market features more than 30 local vendors offering a wide variety of local products including: produce, meats, baked goods, and handmade products.
East Gwillimbury Farmers’ Market
Located at 19000 Leslie St, Sharon, ON L0G 1V0
Open Thursdays 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Check out Farmers Friends Club – a children’s club for ages 4 to 12 at the East Gwillimbury Farmers’ Market. The club provides activitiers and learning experiences to those who join.
Shelly Khushal is a busy mother of two and an active member of the York Region community, always keeping abreast of the social scene, latest trends and products; highlighting fun events in and around York Region.
