The farmers’ market on Canal Road in Bradford West Gwillimbury is once again open for business.
Local resident Liz Gorzo — a self-proclaimed “born-and-raised marsh mucker” — is reviving the market after the previous owners sold the building in 2016.
She said the new owners, flooring company Pearl Knstructions, asked her if she knew anyone who wanted to sell produce there, and she decided to take on the job.
“A lot of people think the market closed down because it has new owners,” she said. “I’m stocking up with as much local produce as I can. (This is) sort of the kick-off weekend.”
The building at 1153 Canal Rd., just off Highway 400, was a farmers’ market for more than 30 years. Gorzo is rebranding it the Holland Marsh Food Market.
Her goal is to get as much product as possible directly from the Holland Marsh — radishes, cabbage, kale, broccoli, spinach, onions, tomatoes, and more.
Some of the produce is even pulled from Springh Farms, which is a stone’s throw away from the building, and sold at the market.
The market has homemade pies, flowers, Sheldon Creek Dairy milk, Homestead Farms eggs, and Fresh Acre Farms meat.
“I try to split it between the farmers,” she said, adding she brings in produce from elsewhere in Ontario that is either not grown locally or comes later in the season, such as corn and strawberries.
Pearl Knstructions also has a showroom in the building and will sell firewood.
Gorzo said she is accepting new weekend vendors and would especially love to see more baked goods, including bread and buns, and food trucks for Friday nights.
Jim Brinkos, a former Holland Marsh farmer-turned entrepreneur, will be regularly selling brisket, fries, hotdogs and hamburgers out of his It’s About Time food truck.
Running a farmers’ market is not a new gig for Gorzo — she managed the East Gwillimbury Farmers’ Market for four years and set up the Richmond Hill Farmers’ Market three years ago.
The Holland Marsh Food Market will be open until Nov. 1, and Gorzo said she hopes BWG residents will love checking out the local produce grown in their own community.
“I will be here the rest of the season,” she said.
Holland Marsh Food Market hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
