'It’s a community atmosphere': Farmers' market season set to start in Georgina

Yorkreigon.com
May 17, 2023

Farm fresh is in season.

And that means more fresh produce, more local vendors and more children’s activities -- a whole new way to explore and support local.

Saturdays at ClearWater Farm and the Georgina Farmers Market are in full swing, both with a full roster of summer sweetness.

Along with the farm stand and vendors markets, Saturdays at ClearWater also feature arts and crafts sessions, live music, various yoga sessions and outdoor story time in partnership with Georgina Public Library.

“It’s a community atmosphere,” said community co-ordinator Jennifer Gidge.

Saturdays at ClearWater is a natural extension of the farm’s mandate to ‘help kids grow’, offering opportunities for children to explore, learn and love farming.

And having kids and families learn where and how their food is grown is paramount, Gidge said.

“We don’t want kids thinking their food comes from a grocery store. It doesn’t. There’s so much that goes into growing food,” she said.

“Without farms like this and other local farms, food doesn’t get grown.”

There’s always something different to see on the 22-acre property -- some 30 to 40 different kinds of produce.

Market-goers are encouraged to take a self-guided tour around the farm, peak in the greenhouse and gaze at the new showcase garden.

“There’s always something different growing in the greenhouse, vegetables are in a new phase and sometimes it's a completely new crop,” Gidge said.

And farm-fresh tomatoes are always popular, said Alex Smyth, project lead for the Saturdays program.

ClearWater grows about half a dozen different tomato varieties, including black cherry tomatoes and various heirloom tomatoes, along as well as several different lettuce head varieties and lettuce mixes.

“You can really taste the difference between store-bought stuff versus stuff grown right here, harvested the day you eat it,” he said.

“The taste is night and day.”

At the farm stand, you’ll find jams, fresh eggs, local honey and specialty spice mixes from local restaurants with freshly-grown produce often harvested from the fields or the greenhouse the night before -- and sometimes the morning of -- market day.

The Georgina Farmers Market is back again for its eighth year with a collection of new and returning farms, vendors and crafters.

This year’s market features a collection of special market days throughout the summer, live music and family-friendly activities, said market president and founder Natalia Zammitti.

“It’s a great outing for the whole family," she said.

The market partnered with local non-profit organizations such as Jericho Youth Services and the Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture to provide more children’s programming.

Patrons can also expect to see more seating and picnic tables decorated with fresh flower bouquets throughout the market -- a challenge during the pandemic.

“(The market) is a whole experience,” Zammitti said, “People can come, listen to live music from local bands, grab something to eat and hang out. It’s a great gathering.”

Each week, one lucky farmers market patron will be awarded Market Bucks to spend at any market vendor of their choice.

The Georgina Chamber of Commerce tourism information centre at The Link will also be open during the market season. Market patrons can pick up brochures and information about local businesses, attractions and events, as well as town information such as the Discover Georgina Guide, local maps and the town’s waste and recycling calendar.

“The farmers market is a great way to discover and support local farms, growers and makers in our community all in one location,” said Chamber executive director Jennifer Anderson said.

“A farmers market is so important in our community. Supporting local farmers markets also supports your local economy and creates access to fresh, nutritious, locally grown food.”