Happy 2010!

Well, a new season has started and half finished -- apologies for not updating this site. My teaching Year went very well. I loved it and was able to fill two short contracts at one of my favourite schools. However, I have also been very happy to get back into market gardening. I have been concentrating on a few crops this year: SUNFLOWERS, SWISS CHARD, BEETS, BEANS, and of course, the products which our family grows on the farm, CABBAGE, CAULIFLOWER, BROCCOLI, BOK CHOY, SWEETCORN (first harvest is today!), and SQUASH.

So, I went to my first market day in Grand Bend yesterday and I love this little market. The atmosphere was lovely and the people (both vendors and buyers) were very friendly. Also, the produce, crafts, flowers, canning and other edible goods looked (and tasted) great. The only danger is that I am tempted to eat my own profit away!!

After being at the Grand Bend Farmers' Market, I must say, it is so nice at official Ontario Farmers' Markets to know that what you are seeing is all the vendor's product. This is not always, or even often the case at some "farmers' markets" and I think it is important to ask these questions as a buyer because the term "farmers' market" is being abused in some cases.

Why do we go to the farmers' market if not to enjoy our local produce and support our local farmers? If we are buying from vendors who are reselling product from over 100 or 200 miles away (or whatever your margin may be), why not just go back to the supermarket, because it is really the same thing dressed differently.

Well, that is my little note for today. I will be at Masonville Market every Friday and Grand Bend every Wednesday. I look forward to seeing you there!!