The Innisfil Farmers’ Market will open for the season at the Stroud Innisfil Community Centre (7883 Yonge St.) on Thursday, June 6 from 1 to 6 p.m.
Local farmers and vendors will offer a variety of goods, including fresh produce, beef, plants and honey in the parking lot of the community centre every Thursday until Oct. 10.
“The market is proud to be in its 14th summer and back with new exciting vendors with all kinds of food along with your favourite long-time vendors from Innisfil and the surrounding area,” market manager Jaime Grant said. “I can't think of anything better than showing up to market and helping my neighbours and friends succeed at keeping their farms going to something other than development while keeping food grown close to home.”
Members of the community and local dignitaries will join Mayor Lynn Dollin for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m.
“The award-winning Innisfil Farmers’ Market is a tremendous place to get fresh food, support local artisans, enjoy live music and connect with the community,” Dollin said. “It is something I personally look forward to and make it a priority to stop by on Thursdays, not just to fill my fridge and pantry, but also to shop for unique gifts and of course, chat with residents and the amazing vendors. I encourage everyone to check out this gem of a market and support these local businesses.”
“We have a huge lineup of new and exciting vendors this year,” Grant said. “Artisan pizza, gluten-free options, new handmade crafts and a mushroom farm for those that love their fungi! Watch for our new permanent signage to be installed.”
New vendors include Obviously Plant Based Foods, Rusty Q Artisan Wood Fired Pizza, and Wild Arrow Co.
Husband and wife team Cole and Megan McKnight run Obviously Plant. The couple recently relocated from Muskoka Region to Springwater Township and is excited to be a part of the market this year to their products with new clientele.
“Some of the products we will have will be our most popular S’more cookie, our gluten-free-friendly salted toffee cookie, gluten-free-friendly haystacks, gluten-free-friendly and sugar-free date bars, birthday cake Oreo cookies, cranberry orange scones and lemon poppyseed scone,” Cole said.
After indulging in a tasty, plant-based treat, community members are welcome to enjoy wood-fired pizza.
“Rusty Q ... was founded on a passion for creating exceptional flavours and experiences,” said Celena Singh, who owns and operates the business with her husband, Jeff. “We take pride in sourcing high-quality, locally sourced ingredients to elevate our wood-fired pizzas to gourmet standards.”
They named the business in honour of their late Pug/Jack Russell mix, Rusty, who was named after former Toronto Maple Leafs player Russ Courtnall.
“We applied to participate as a food vendor at (the market) to connect with another community close to where we live and to offer our made-to-order wood-fired pizzas,” Celena said.
In addition to purchasing locally grown produce, as well as art and jewellery from participating local artisans, shoppers are invited to pick up bath and body products from Wild Arrow.
“We handcraft herbal and botanical infused bath and body products including tallow balms, magnesium butters, healing salves and nourishing salt soaks. We are proud to offer products that are free from harmful chemicals and additives, which can disrupt hormones and negatively impact overall health. Our carefully curated ingredients are chosen for their natural abilities to heal, nourish and protect,” Wild Arrow owner Suzy O’Donnell said.
“Joining the market is an exciting opportunity to connect directly with our community and share our passion for natural wellness. We want to empower individuals to make informed choices about the products they use daily.”
The market was founded as a town initiative in 2011.
“We are all hoping for good weather, but come rain or shine we will be at the Stroud arena to serve our community as a true farmers’ market,” Grant said.
For more information, or to apply to become a vendor, visit the market's website.
