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Saturday At The Elora Farmers' Market
by Karina Flores, The Sassy Tomato
I finally had the chance to visit the Elora Farmers’ Market the other weekend. I’ve been to Elora a couple of times before to explore this charming little town and, of course, to wander around the Elora Quarry. But I’ve never had the chance to visit the market on Saturdays.
You can feel the market’s unique charm and character, from its location right alongside the Grand River to its vendors and market patrons. Let me take you through my day at the Elora Farmers’ Market and tell you what local goodies you can expect to find!
Every Saturday morning Bissell Park transforms with the arrival of vendors, ready to sell their local products. From May to October, you have the chance to explore this small town market and find everything from fruits and vegetables to home-baked goods, wine, meats and cheeses, and eggs to a variety of artisanal products! (After October you can find the market at the paddock building at the Elora Raceway where it continues until Christmas.)
I started my visit by grabbing a cup of coffee from Neil’s Market Kitchen. You can also get a cool snack like sheep milk’s gelato or some savoury dumplings from Ugly Dumpling Elora to either start or end your market shopping! There are also lots of other things to sample, from fruits to baked goods to little cherry tomatoes (which, as you can guess, were my market snack of choice!).
If you are looking for artisanal products, you won’t be disappointed. You can find quite a few vendors selling their unique crafts. A vendor that caught my eye was Ontario Lithophane. The owner, Steven, makes custom birdhouses, beautiful cheese boards, and custom lithophanes. He makes his products out of recycled wood or wood that is destined for the landfill.
The Elora Farmers' Market has such a great vibe to it. You really get the feel of the community and the vendors are all very open and friendly. They will gladly talk about their farm and/or products.
I had a chance to catch up with Salad Days Farm, a small farm based in Belwood, Ontario. I remember when I first met them at the Aberfoyle market a couple of years ago when they first started. They are now in their fourth year of business! They grow vegetables without the use of any pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or herbicides. Salad Days Farm also has a CSA program where you can sign up to receive your share of weekly seasonal organic vegetables.
There are a variety of other vendors selling vegetables from Hoppy Fields Farm, Mackay Farms and Stables, Reroot Organic Farm, Uprooted Farm, and more. Apart from vegetables, you can get local preserves and jams from Oxy Acres, French pastries and flower bouquets from Willowhead Family Farm to Water Buffalo meat from Majestic Water Buffalo and wines from Pillitteri Winery.
There’s so much to fill your market bags at the Elora Farmers' Market. You really can’t choose wrong as all their products have something special and are local. After or before the market, I encourage you to explore the town. I like to grab some bread at Elora Bread Co. and then some lunch at one of the best local spots in town, Elora Brewing Co. If you are looking to do some more walking, you can also take a stroll along the Grand River or go for a hike at the Elora Gorge Conservation Area.
For more information on the Elora Farmers' Market visit: www.elorafarmersmarket.ca
For more information on Taste Real visit: www.tastereal.ca
- Sassy
View The Sassy Tomato's website
Elora Farmers' Market
May - December
Saturdays: 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Bissell Park, Elora (May-October) | Highland Rugby Club Fieldhouse, Fergus (November and December)
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