The Bradford Farmers’ Market has been ramping up as summer arrives and a wider range of locally-grown produce becomes available.
Top of the list is Ontario’s strawberry crop, now reaching its luscious peak.
On June 30, the market hosts a combination Canada Day and Strawberry Festival, with mini strawberry shortcakes being served up at the info booth, plus live entertainment.
The market, held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot beside the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library, offers shoppers a great opportunity to purchase fresh, locally-grown produce, jams and preserves, homestead farm-fresh eggs, fresh baking, maple syrup and maple-based sauces, local honey, and more.
This past Saturday at the Bradford Farmers’ Market, shoppers could enjoy the mellow jazz stylings of clarinetist Sean Derraugh, as they purchased giant radishes and fresh onions, lettuce, beets and chard from Springh Farms; herbs, vegetables and strawberries from Lakeview Gardens; and old school salted pretzels, rye breads, strudels and bagels at The Polish Bakery, where baker Ryzsard Surdyk also offered innovative Chocolate Chip Pretzels and hot bell pepper bagels.
Coldcreek Stock Co. sold its all-beef products, from beef bacon to steaks.
“All our beef is grass-fed,” said Al Burns. “Fed an 80-per-cent grass-fed (diet), with a grain finish. We use only heritage beef — the marbling is better.”
And at Sweet Annabella’s, Tammy Jackson once again sold a range of butter tarts and pies that included salted caramel apple, peach crumble and bacon butter tarts.
Jackson’s innovative combinations and experimental butter tarts have become a byword.
“I don’t use corn syrup,” she said. “I use pure maple syrup.”
Jackson placed sixth and seventh with a banana cream butter tart at the recent Ontario's Best Butter Tart Festival and Contest in Midland, which saw approximately 200 vendors participate. She is planning something special for Canada Day at the Bradford Farmers’ Market.
And there were a number of new vendors at the market, including the Lake Simcoe Coffee Co., serving up both hot and iced coffee.
Every market day is special. Watch for upcoming festivals, including the July 21 Caribbean Carnival, the Aug. 25 Peach Fest — when Elvis will be in the building, and the Sept. 15 Butter Tart Festival.
