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Off to the market!

Photo: meera Rajagopal

Bursting with flavour Fresh produce at the farmers’ markets

Ah! The weekly farmers’ markets. An array of farm fresh vegetables, fruits, cheese, freshly-baked whole grain breads, honey and flowers are up for sale in these makeshift markets, spread across the U.S. and Canada. And, at easily accessible pla ces in down town at that.

Urbanites, bitten by the country bug, descend in large numbers to buy whatever catches their fancy.

The farmers’ market is a place for community gathering — meet up with friends or just get a taste of small town life!

According to ‘My Market’, a certified local farmers’ market in Ontario, Canada, the benefits of shopping at a farmer’s market are varied. The fruits and vegetables are seasonal, natural, fresh and tasty. Ripened fruits are brought directly to the consumers — so, no pesticides, genetic modification, artificial ripening, shipping, or sitting for weeks in storage! Most food at farmers’ markets is minimally processed using organic methods to build soil fertility, giving the crops the nutrients they require.

What’s more, the farmers themselves sell their produce. Consumers support small-time farmers who have a tough time competing with the big ones.

In Toronto, Chicago, Dallas and other metros, farmers’ markets are a big draw. These cities also have their fresh food marts that stock fresh organic foods.

Foodland Ontario has been Ontario’s fresh choice for 30 years, marketing the produce of the farmers of the place. The availability guide lists a wide variety of vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, Asian vegetables, onion, peas and pepper, and fruits such as apples, apricots, raspberries, watermelons and peaches.

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