Sharbot Lake Farmers Market Grows Exponentially

May 22, 2013

It was a busy day on May 18 at Oso Beach in Sharbot Lake where organizers of the Sharbot Lake Farmers Market set up shop for the upcoming growing season. The market has grown exponentially since its inception just three years ago and the number of vendors has increased from a mere seven in the market's first season to 21 so far this year. Less than two hours into its first official day at the beach this Saturday, over 300 visitors had already visited the market, and shoppers appeared pleased with the wide variety of goods for sale. Organizers enlisted the help of local musicians, young fiddler Jessica Wedden and the duo Celtic at Heart, to entertain shoppers, and the day included a special opening day plant sale.

Added to the list of long time vendors and brand new to the market this season are: Anne Howes with her home baking and garden produce; grower Jeff Weekes of Threefold Organic Farm selling produce and baking; Peigi Wilson representing the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation with produce and birch bark baskets and who soon will offer hand-made moccasins. Lynette Whan and her daughter Macy were selling produce, plants and Macy's home-made cupcakes. Rob Harrop of Perth Road village, owner of Tod Enterprises, was selling custom ornamental iron works, perennials, horseradish and produce. He and his wife Jane have been creating custom-made CNC cut iron work pieces for decades, which include ornamental pieces but also lawn furniture. Made with powder-coated steel, the Harrods are able to create custom designs either of their own or of the customer’s making. They will also be offering steel and concrete garden benches, as well as more fresh produce from home as their garden continues to grow. Also new to the Sharbot Lake market is Haanover Farms, who sell a wide variety of ecological meat and other products, and Maple Lim-Farm who sell garden produce, meats and preserves.

The market will continue every Saturday at Oso Beach from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. until Thanksgiving. On May 25 shoppers can catch a special appearance by Elvis and on June 1 the Blue Skies Fiddle Orchestra will be playing at the market.

Also not to be missed, on Tuesday June 4, the market will present a FREE Local Food Cooking Workshop with Andrea Dickinson from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Oso Hall in Sharbot Lake. This first session will begin with a lesson at the BBQ – Mastering the BBQ, using a “BBQ as oven” technique that will inspire confidence at your next gathering. Tandoori Chicken with a cooling Cucumber Raita is on the menu, as well as Spring Greens and Strawberry Salad with a Maple Vinaigrette. Dessert in June would be incomplete without a Rhubarb-Strawberry Double Crisp, as well as creating a multi-use delicious Strawberry Butter – great for toast, pancakes or scones. Please pre-register by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Limited to 20 participants.

For more information about this season’s vendors and for a list of upcoming special market day events, visit handsonharvest.ca.