Eat Local: Farmers Markets in Muskoka

It's summer and there is no easier time to eat locally in Ontario!

Here in Muskoka we're lucky to have some amazing food producers.

I wrote last year about the benefits of eating locally. There are usually less pesticides, less packaging, and less distance to travel to deliver (= less burned fossil fuels). David Suzuki recently published an article called: Small farms may be better for food security and biodiversity. In it he concludes that "we need to grow food in ways that make feeding people a bigger priority than generating profits for large agribusiness." Below are some folks you can support in order to get involved in our local food scene right here in Muskoka.

Our favourite producers continue to produce healthy, fresh, delicious, and nutricious food that we can get nearby:

Muskoka Meats & 100 Mile Store

Brooklands Farm (fruit & veggies)
Lavender Hills Farm (honey products, candles, & cosmetics)
Ivanita Farm and Meats
Muskoka Brewery
Lake of Bays Brewing Co.
Any many, many more. Too many to list here...but Savour Muskoka has a very comprehensive list.

Of course, the local markets play an important role in the distribution of the wonderful food and locally produced wares. Be sure to check them out!


Bracebridge Farmers Market
When? Saturdays, 8:30 am – 1 pm, Victoria Day Weekend to Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend
Where? Memorial Park, Manitoba Street, Bracebridge (beside Norwood Theatre)
More Info: http://www.thebracebridgefarmersmarket.com/


Rosseau Farmers Market
When? Fridays, 9 am – 2 pm, July 1 – Sept 2
Where? Waterfront on Lake Rosseau at the end of Short Street
More Info: http://www.rosseaumarket.com/



Huntsville Farmers Market
When? Thursdays, 9 am – 2 pm, Victoria Day Weekend to Halloween
Where? Canadian Tire Parking Lot, 77 King William St
More Info: http://buyfromthefarm.ca/farmers-market/huntsville-farmers-market


Rivermill Park Farmers Market (Huntsville)
When? Saturday's 9am-1pm starting July 2nd
Where? Rivermill Park
More Info: http://www.rivermillmarket.com/#SlideFrame_2


Port Carling Farmers Market (new this year!)

When? Thursdays, 9 am – 2 pm, June 30 to September 1, 2011

Where? Hanna Park, Port Carling

More Info: http://www.portcarlingfarmersmarket.com/

Gravenhurst Farmers Market
When? Every Wednesday 9am - 2pm, 18th May 2011 - 5th October 2011
Where? In the special events field at Muskoka Wharf (across the road from Boston Pizza)
More Info: http://www.gravenhurstfarmersmarket.com/
Carling Farmers Market (District of Parry Sound)
When? Saturdays, 8 am – 1 pm, last Saturday in June – Labour Day Weekend
Where? Carling Recreation Hall, Carling, Ontario

Enjoy the succulent strawberries that are now ripe for picking at Brooklands Farm and Taylor Farms!!

Local Food Movement

Fall is a time for harvest!

But with the frost and cold weather setting in- and even *gulp*- snow, the harvest is winding down. Fortunately, there are ways to continue enjoying the delicious fresh foods from the summer and fall.

Like this Canning & Preserving workshop:

Offered by Savour Muskoka

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Mark O'Mara Clubhouse @ Delta Grandview

1-4pm

For details go here

Savour Muskoka promotes local food. Like I wrote about it a past post, eating locally is important because:

• fresher food
• better quality food
• food travels less distance
• less chemicals in our food and on the land on which it was grown
• supports the local economy

My favourite:

• connects us with our food source and the land

Are these things important to you too?

There is another workshop you should know about:

Local Food Development: brainstorming session

Saturday November 20, 2010

Muskoka Delta Grandview Resort

7-9pm

For more information, go here

Interested in learning more about the local food movement?

If you are in Muskoka and this topic peaks your interest (after all, we all have to eat!), I encourage you to attend the brainstorming session.

You can also read more in books like these:

And checking out websites like these:

100milediet.org

Food and Farming Canada

Slow Food Canada

Locavore

The locavore

Brooklands Farm

Community Supported Agriculture

Garden Plots in Huntsville

See you at the workshops!

Muskoka Farmers Markets

Summer weather is here and that has got me thinking about fresh produce! There are some fabulous farmers markets in Muskoka where you can buy locally grown produce and other goodies.

{strawberries are now in season- yipee!}

Monday: Bala (municipal parking lot by the train bridge)
Wednesday: Gravenhurst (wharf)
Thursday: Huntsville (Canadian Tire parking lot)
Friday: Baysville, Rosseau, Hunstville (Commerce Park)
Saturday: Bracebridge (Memorial Park)

{the gravenhurst Farmers Market}

Brooklands Farm offers produce baskets you can pick up for have delivered as part of their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.

Savour Muskoka has a list of farms that range from veggies to fungi!

The benefits of farmers markets:

• reduces food miles, thus vehicle use, noise and fossil fuel production
• reduces packaging
• encourages environmental production practices such as organic and pesticide free
• encourages farm diversification and thus biodiversity

Farmers markets also benefit the community and the local economy as well as the producers and consumers. Read more here.

Farmers markets and CSA are all part of the Local Food Movement.

Where does your food come from?