A perfect summer day greeted shoppers last Sunday at our third market of the season. People were clearly enjoying themselves, wandering the stalls, sampling some of the local products and picking up fresh produce. While the late arrival of warmer, dryer weather delayed strawberry season for many local growers, we were lucky to have one vendor from just south of Millbrook who came prepared. At last count, shoppers had made off with 96 litres of fresh, just picked strawberries.
I was curious to see several people walking around clutching gigantic garlic stalks in June. When I tracked down the source, I learned that they had been grown locally in a greenhouse. We are seeing more and more growers incorporating greenhouses into their farming practices to extend the traditional growing season. For us eaters, this means greater access to fresh, locally grown food.
Our next market takes place on Sunday, July 28, 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Old Millbrook School. By this time, harvest season will have begun. A wide assortment of produce will be available, including corn on the cob. If you come for brunch or lunch, you will find a large selection, including smoker prepared breakfast sandwiches made from local products (think peameal bacon, pork brisket, vegetarian), perogies, burgers, fries and more.
For our July market, we welcome back another old Millbrook favourite, Cellar Door, to entertain us with some folk roots music. As usual, the Millbrook Public Library’s used book sale will be running and the Millbrook EarlyOn Child and Family Centre will host StoryTree for Kids starting at 11:00am.
For more information about our market dates and vendors, please visit our website at millbrookfarmersmarket.weebly.com. Thank you for supporting our local growers, makers and bakers.
by Leni Rautiainen
Photo Karen Graham.
Market vendor on the farm.
