Top 10 Reasons to Visit Your Local Farmers' Market

Summer marks the beginning of farmers' markets throughout Northwest Ontario. Over the years, they have become popular in Northwest Ontario and all over North America. Farmers' Markets have become mainstream as more and more people want fresh, organic, local meats and produce. During the winter, the fruit and veggies that are available in Northwest Ontario have come from far away and, therefore, are not very fresh by the time they get here. Going to a local market, we can have fresh vegetables just as if we had grown them ourselves (without all the back-breaking work!). People want healthy options, and it is also great for the local economy.

The Farmers' Markets in Sunset Country include much more than just fresh produce. With all the baking and craft vendors at farmers' markets, you're sure to find a quick, yummy snack, lunch items, a unique gift for someone's birthday, cottage decor, or a souvenir to bring home. There are aboriginal arts and crafts, preserves, honey, baked goods, paintings, garden decorations, jewellery, clothing, dips, and spices, to name a few. 

Farmers' Markets in Northwest Ontario, Canada

Cloverbelt Country Farmers' Market strives to have many types of local produce, giving you a taste and experience unique to Dryden and its surrounding area. There is farm fresh produce and meats, homemade preserves and baking, and handmade arts and crafts. The Oxdrift Market begins in early June and is located in the Oxdrift Hall. It is open Saturdays 9am-12pm and runs into early October. They also start a second location at the end of June. You can find the Dryden Market in the Dryden Arena parking lot every second Thursday from 3-6pm. Follow Cloverbelt Country Farmers' Market on Facebook or on Instagram for updates.

Northwest Farmers' Market in Sioux Lookout first opened up in 2006. The market is held on Fridays from 10:00am-2:00pm at Town Beach. Vendors offer a variety of items from fresh produce, honey, fresh local meat, elk, plants, knitting, wood crafts, and aboriginal crafts.

The Red Lake Market is held Saturdays during the summer from 10am-2pm in the Legion parking lot. Anyone can set up a table: crafters, personal belongings you want to get rid of, home businesses and community groups. Look for products from local farms once a month from July to September.

Rainy River Farmer's Market is held Wednesdays from 4pm-6:00pm at the Heritage Square on Atwood Avenue.

One of the biggest farmers' markets in Sunset Country is the Matiowski Farmers' Market in Kenora, Ontario and is located under the Whitecap Pavilion every Wednesday from 8:30am to 2:00pm and runs from the middle of June until early October. Just like any farmers' market, you will find fresh meats and produce. There are also tons of baking items such as breads, cinnamon buns, perogies, pies, cupcakes and even gluten-free products. The craft items are endless with handmade cards, jewelry, garden decorations, candles, paintings and art, and homemade soap! Follow Tourism Kenora on Facebook for updates on the market.

The sole year-round Farmers' Market in Northwest Ontario is the Thunder Bay Country Market. It is held every Saturday between 8:00am and 1:00pm. During the harvest season, they open up on Wednesdays from 3:30-6:30pm, bringing you the freshest produce twice a week! Visit their website for a complete up-to-date schedule of the times that the market is held. During summer into the fall harvest, you'll find local, fresh produce and food products. Don't miss a visit to the second floor where you'll find handmade clothing, pottery, beadwork, Ojibwe art, vintage items and lots more. It is held at the CLE Dove Building. Follow the Thunder Bay Country Market on Facebook for updates during the year. 

Why should you visit these Farmers Market? Here are the top 10 reasons.

1. Taste the real flavours of fruits and vegetables. There is no doubt that locally-grown foods just simply taste better.
2. Meet the farmers who grow your food. You can ask for advice when it was picked, how it was grown or ways to prepare it.
3. Protect the environment. The proximity of the farms does not require us to waste energy and gas shipping the food halfway around the world.
4. Support the local economy by supporting the farmers, artists, bakers and other vendors.
5. Eat seasonally. By shopping at local farmer's markets you are eating produce at its peak. They are fresh and ripe and loaded with nutrients.
6. Home-made baking. Do I need to say more?
7. Pick up something such as perogies and tasty vegetables, and you have a quick supper tonight!
8. Find that unique gift you have been looking for!
9. Connect with the community, meet up with friends old and new, and chat with locals and seasonal visitors.
10. The atmosphere is great and it's just plain fun!

Make sure to stop at one Sunset Country's local farmers' markets this summer. We promise it will make you want to go back for more. 

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