The Innisfil Farmers’ Market continues to get ready for its 2020 reopening, in a COVID-19 world.
The market will return to the south parking lot at the Innisfil Recreation Complex on Thursday, June 25 from 1 to 6 p.m. – and from 1 to 6 p.m. on Friday the 26th at the Tanger Outlet Mall near Cookstown – but with a very different format.
There will be separation between the vendors, directional arrows pointing the way for customers, and shoppers will be asked to use hand sanitizer and practice social distancing.
Instead of picking out their produce themselves, they will be asked to point to what they want, while vendors bag up the items for sale.
At first, only food products – farm produce, fresh baking, prepared foods – were being allowed, but the latest provincial announcement has opened the door for crafters and artisans to also return to the market.
Among those signing up for another season are Innisfil Creek Honey, Lakeview Gardens garden centre, Rosie’s Meat Pies, The Summer Oven Bakery, Fairhope Farm in Coldwater, Miss Ritchie’s Kitchen, Thorganic Farms of Thornton, Oro-Medonte’s Brown’s Farm, Speziale Fine Foods and European Meats of Bradford West Gwillimbury, and R Family Farm of Innisfil.
Jan Rainey of R Family Farm notes that the upcoming season “will be a little different this year, with social distancing and new policies.”
The farm, located just north of Cookstown, already has fresh asparagus that can be ordered online for “porch pick-up” and, says Rainey, “The strawberries are growing!”
She plans to bring asparagus, rhubarb and strawberries, “and possibly peas” to the Innisfil market, along with the farm’s famous preserves and pickles, and stone jewellery.
And the Rainey Farm is still planning to open to “U Pick” once the berries are ripe, but with new rules and protocols in place.
Thorganic Farms specializes in natural meat, including their own Black Angus beef.
“We practice eco-friendly farming that does not use herbicides or pesticides,” Mike Madden notes on his website. “We use only non-GMO seeds and natural fertilizers to provide nutrients for our pasture… Our meat is free from hormones, steroids and antibiotics!”
Thorganic Farms also operates an online market, offering a range of artisanal products produced by other makers – from natural chicken and pork to Cookstown Greens’ organic produce, Wye View Farms’ garlics and breads, Sheldon Creek Dairy, and the artisanal cheeses of Say Cheese!
In the ready-made category, Tom Bouhs will be bringing Rosie’s Meat Pies – based on his mom Rosie’s recipes – back to the market. For the past 11 years, his steak and Guinness Pie, ginger honey chicken pie, turkey with sweet potato and cranberry, and seven other varieties have been winning fans.
“I will be bringing a full selection of my usual pies, hopefully and I will be taking orders for future market pick-up,” Bouhs says, admitting that there have been challenges, during the pandemic.
“Supplies have been a little more difficult to come by, with certain items and the price of meat having gone up substantially,” he explains. As a result, he’s had to raise his prices, but is hoping that customers will understand and appreciate the quality.
“I’m really hoping all markets get going again, as I rely on this time of year financially,” he says. “Customers really enjoy the outdoor markets. It creates a great atmosphere!”
Rob Radcliffe of Lakeview Gardens agrees – which is why he’s not participating in the online market in Bradford this year, but will be at Innisfil's Farmers Market.
He and his family have also set up a farm market at their garden centre on Killarney Beach Road in Lefroy, open six days a week (closed Sundays), and the public response has been tremendous, Radcliffe says.
“This is by far the best year we’ve ever had.”
Lakeview Gardens has sold out of 4-inch pots, hanging baskets and most plants – with just a few vegetables plants and flats of annuals left. Now the focus is all on produce - some from the food terminal and Barrie Hills Farm, “and from our own farm, our Swiss chard, kale, kohlrabi, green onions and lettuce – and radishes.”
He’ll be carrying Innisfil Creek Honey products, “and mom and Rose (Rob’s wife) will have their jams and jellies,” he promises.
Radcliffe is hoping that customers will be as excited to come out and shop as he is to be coming back. “We’re anticipating it will be very good.”
Jaime Grant plans to stock The Summer Oven Bakery with a great selection of gluten-free date squares, Squamish bars, butterscotch confettis and squares, buttertarts, fresh pies, cookies, empires, “and new this year, artisan bread. For years people have asked me; I’ve decided this year is the year.”
Grant, who is the Market Manager, is also looking forward to the reopening.
“I am very hopeful that we find the community comes out to support Innisfil’s farmers for some safe summer fun!” Grant says. “The farmers are ready. I am sure residents are too.”