Saturday October 27^th

-12C this morning and this was the last market Saturday before winter really sets in. I had to admire those who attended with their wares for sale but there were no lack of shoppers demonstrating the value we place on home grown produce. Steamy breath created a thin floating haze around the market as people were jumping and swinging their arms, while trying to keep warm.  As it was also Hallowe’en weekend, there were plenty of good spirits floating around to help create a fun atmosphere.

Among the vendors were several local growers. We are so lucky to have access to these locally produced foods. They are all small nursery growers and one farms in residents’ back gardens, which is not only a wonderful service to those who have a large space and cannot grow anymore but to us, as buyers. There is no comparison between these locally grown vegetables to those on supermarket shelves.  The carrots taste like a different vegetable; they are so much sweeter, fresh and crisp than those that sitting in a plastic back for weeks. Our locally grown garlic is fabulous and keeps until the following summer. I don’t understand why so many supermarkets import their garlic. Because we have an abundance of local suppliers, I do not grow much in my vegetable garden anymore. The raised beds have been given over to flowers a few potatoes, tomatoes and a few short rows of other favourites.

Local growers such as Christian of Three Crows Farm, Marie-Eve of Apple Quill Farm and Eric of We be Farmin’ along with vendors from Creston all braved the cold for the last outside market of the season.

The rise in popularity of Farmer’s Markets and small holding farmers has been huge over the last ten years and more. The awareness it has brought to city dwellers of what can be grown in their own back gardens is immense. Some of these farmers also supply local restaurants which is another benefit to our knowledge and taste buds. More than one now also relies on this type of farming for a living. The market boosts our town’s economy as out of towners come in to buy local produce. We all benefit from a more stable local food supply.

Our next market will be a Christmas one where there will be a lot more crafts than produce and then unfortunately we will have to wait until May before we see these vendors again. I know some of these growers are now working on extending their growing season in greenhouses, which is exciting. As they perfect their skills and achieve financial viability I look forward to the future when we may be able to purchase more local produce year round. It is no small task to heat greenhouses when the temperature outside is -30C but I have confidence they will get there. With the growing popularity in geothermal energy and heat sources such as our sewage lagoons to tap into, I hope it will not be too long.

The Heater Huddle