Fresh Goods & New Ideas At Winter Farmers Market

Jeff Green | Jan 23, 2013

Seven vendors offered up a wide variety of goods and services at the second Sharbot Lake Winter Farmers’ Market, which took place at the Oso Hall on January 19.

Regular vendors had for sale their usual wide variety of local produce, baked goods and other locally produced goods, including fresh herbs and body products from Dragon Fly Herbs, fresh meats and produce from Maple-Lim Farm, Elphin Gold Farm and Johnston Lake Organic’s. Peigi Wilson was selling her gluten free and regular four berry pies, corn muffins and unique bacon/maple biscuits. Those looking for a bit of body relaxation and rejuvenation could choose from shiatsu massage courtesy of Catherine Smith of Healing Energetics or foot treatments courtesy of Melanie Fyfe of Healing Feats. While Lynn Shwadchuck was busy selling coffee and Queen Elizabeth cakes at the market’s main table, children had a wealth of board games and craft tables to keep themselves entertained while their caregivers perused the plentiful goods and services offered. The market organizers are offering up a number of workshops at the winter market and the day I visited, 11 participants were gathered in the hall’s kitchen for a one-hour workshop on how to make your own farmers cheese, presented by Pat Furlong-Brownlee of Elphin Gold Farm.

Market manager Mary de Bassecourt said she is pleased with the support for the winter markets so far and hopes to see more shoppers “Come in out of the Cold”. The market offers the perfect opportunity for members of the community to meet for a hot drink and fresh baked snack and to visit and relax at one of the many tables. The next market day will take place on Saturday February 2, and the workshop, led by Peggy Green, will be on Home Gardening in Drought Conditions. The cost for the workshop is $10.

The market will run regularly on the first and third Saturdays of the month from 9:30am-12:30pm until the end of April. Topics covered in the workshops will include techniques for water conservation; ways to prevent soil erosion; understanding your gardening zone; and how best to choose drought-resistant varieties of plants. For more information about the market visit slfm.handsonharvest.ca