Posted by Sheryl Kirby in market basket on June 16, 2008 at 7:36 am
BirchCliff Village Farmers Market
St. Nicholas Church garden, 1512 Kingston Road
Fridays, 3pm - 7pm
June 13th - October 10th
Handmade, homemade, earthmade. A good philosophy for life and an even better philosophy for a farmers market. Now in its 5th year, the BirchCliff Village Farmer’s Market does just that.
“We have a number of certified organic farms,” says market organizer Gail Ross. “Those vendors who are not yet certified are using earth friendly processes which are respectful to the land, and the workers. We ask all our vendors to commit to learning the importance of the organic process and work towards certification where available. We currently are at about 75%. As a collective we are working to educate our market vendors and community to make our food safe.”
Started as an initiative to re-animate the business strip along Kingston Road, market organizers chose the land east of St. Nicholas’ Church for their location as it was the centre of the village. Now this Friday afternoon market is the highlight event of the week for many in the neighbourhood, with weekly and seasonal events as well as great shopping.
“[Our] festivals are being planned week to week,” Ross explains. “Opening day we have free seeds, vermi-composting education, a speaker on farming off-grid, pony rides, and face painting. Later in the month we’ll have seniors day and more.” The market also offers weekly entertainment and activities for the kids such as environmental education.
In keeping with the handmade, homemade, earthmade philosophy, vendors at BirchCliff Village Market are more varied that at some other city markets. In addition to market favourites like Monforte Dairy, Quinte Organics and St. John’s Bakery, visitors can also snack on goodies from Wholi Granoli, vegetarian spring rolls from Meals4You, or scones from Nuala’s, or buy handmade soap, candles, jewellery or artwork. All art is handmade and is jurored.
As well, vendors are all complimentary, allowing customers to fill many of their shopping needs from eggs and chicken (Ambleside Organics), jams and jellies (Joy of Harvest), meat (Windcreek Meats), and even tea (Tea Retreat) or cosmetics (Shea Moi Organics).
Besides being a fun place to shop, BirchCliff Village Farmers Market also seems to have become an important part of the community. “Regular customers often tell us that they couldn’t imagine a Friday without the BirchCliff Village Farmers’ Market experience,” says Ross. “They have built it into their lives. They come to shop, experience, share, learn and teach. They come to have a visit.”
And after all, isn’t that what the market is really all about?
For more info about BirchCliff Village Farmers Market, as well as their vendors and events, please check their website.
