New and old vendors at Tillsonburg Farmers’ Market

Keirsten & Avah from Bre’s Fresh Market  take care of Kelly and Beverly Wilson. (Stuart Blower Photo)

Stuart Blower, Post Contributor

Tillsonburg Farmers Market, across from the Station Arts Centre on Bridge street, is open every Saturday at 8 am until noon.

“We have so many loyal customers it doesn’t matter if it is raining, or even snowing, the customers always come out to support us,” said Tim Norris owner of Orange Door Acres and organizer for the market.

He pointed to the quality of the products as one of the big draws. Products for sale range from home-grown proteins such as beef and chicken to home-grown and milled flours, baked goods and even micro-greens. New this year, the Hounds of Erie Winery brings their selection of wines, ciders and beer to the market.

Some farmers have experienced a week’s delay in their growing season due to weather. As the growing seasons ripples through the region, you will find strawberries one week and sweet corn the next. Unlike grocery stores, the farmer’s market products are showcased when they are ready.

Tim makes it clear that farmers markets do not have to be expensive. In many cases cutting out the delivery man, and buying direct from the producer, Is not as expensive.as some people believe. Buying direct from the farmer has other advantages such as being able to buy grass-fed beef, organic local produce, and pasture-raised chickens.

“For example, Arbour View Acres grows their produce without spraying. I grow my own strawberries without spray,” Norris said. “People ask me is it organic. I can’t say that, but what I can tell you is it is naturally raised. The most important element is being able to talk directly to the person standing in front of you about their farming practices.

“The food is absolutely fresh and for a lot of our customers they want to understand not just what goes into their food, they also want to understand what is not in their food.

Many of our members use very little pesticides and supplements. Sellers are not only friendly but eager to explain how they handle their produce.”

Throughout the summer, the market will feature pop-up vendors that will bring specialty items, such as the previous Tupperware booth.

Originally from Cambridge, Tim and his wife Donna moved here 13 years ago. They needed a change, so they bought a place in the country, a small farm that now produces 3,000 pasture-raised chickens a year along with a big strawberry crop.

“We feel like we are part of the Oxford County and Tillsonburg community,” he said. “It is so refreshing how nice the people are. This town is just incredible, we are so blessed.”

Refer to the farmer’s market Facebook page for vendor announcements and be patient if the pages gets behind, after all Norris does have a farm to run. (https://www.facebook.com/tillsonburgfarmersmarket/)