Early-season produce ready at Tillsonburg farmer’s market

Candace Steiner, whose mother bakes breads, tarts, muffins, loaves, and cinnamon rolls for Juanita’s Wonders, restocks the organic bread in the booth. (Jeff Helsdon photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

The Tillsonburg Farmer’s Market offers locals their best opportunity to get fresh from the field produce, as early-season fruits and vegetables are now ready.

Held on Saturday mornings in front of the Station Arts Centre, the market typically draws 15 to 20 vendors. Some are constants; they're there every week, while others come and go.

“There are a lot of pop-up vendors, people who sell natural care products, said Myles Falconer, who grows vegetables south of Courtland and helps with organizing. Girl Guide cookies and minor hockey fundraisers are examples of the pop-ups.

Asparagus has just finished for the season. June-bearing strawberries are winding down, but ever-bearing berries are still available. Hothouse tomatoes are available, plus some early vegetables.

“Basically, a lot of root crops and beans, those things, are starting,” Falconer said.

Nathan Stubbe of Arbour View Acres in Brant County said fresh lettuce and leafy greens just started.

“It has much more flavour,” he said of the lettuce. “All of our stuff is grown in dirt, so that’s a big flavour thing.”

Outside of produce, the farmer’s market also includes baked goods, jams, relishes, and salsa – products that are usually made from scratch. Maple syrup and mushrooms are also for sale.