Photo Karen Graham. Nancy Hurley reads at last week’s market.
If you haven’t yet been to the Millbrook Farmers’ Market, here are a few reasons to whet your appetite.
The produce at the market is fresh – often picked that very morning. It is at or very near its peak of ripeness. If you haven’t eaten farm fresh produce before, you will be amazed at the difference in flavour. Locally grown foods simply taste better. Eating produce when it is ripe also provides the best nutrition. It’s hard to beat delicious and nutritious.
When you shop at the market, you know where your food is coming from. You can talk directly to the local growers and producers, learn about their growing methods and make an informed choice. You will come away with new knowledge and information to take back to your own kitchen.
The market offers a wide selection of local foods. Some are certified organic, some are grown without pesticides and herbicides, and others are grown more conventionally. There are many products and options to choose from.
While there are some higher ticket items, much of the local food at the market is generally very affordable. Organic produce is often less expensive than that offered at some of the large grocery stores.
Buying locally at the market is a more environmentally friendly alternative to mass produced foods. Produce sold at the market doesn’t have far to travel to get from the farm to your table, significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels.
By spending some of your food dollars at the market, you will be supporting local family farms and new entrepreneurs just starting out in their businesses.
Last, but by no means least, the market is a great place to gather and feel connected to your community. By bringing people and food together, the market feeds both body and soul.
We hope to see you at our next market on Sunday, July 22, 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Old Millbrook School, 1 Dufferin Street. Local guitarist Douglas MacKenzie will entertain with the best of folk, courtesy of this month’s music sponsor Alex Penello & Associates. StoryTree for Kids begins at 11:00am and the Millbrook Public Library will once again host their popular used book sale.
By Leni Rautiainen
