Locally Grown Food in Durham
Durham’s Best Sources for Buying Local Fruit and Veggies
Many farms, orchards and farmer's markets call Durham Region, Ontario, home. Vegetable gardeners can buy locally those crops they don't grow at home.
Growing one’s own fruit and vegetables is an extremely satisfying endeavour. The harsh reality of the gardening situation, for some vegetable gardeners, however, is that not all crops are worth the effort or energy required to grow them in a back yard vegetable garden. Supplementing small homegrown crops with locally grown foods is a handy solution to this dilemma, and Durham Region is filled with family-owned operations that sell locally-grown produce, nearly year-round.
- Farmhouse Garden, located in Uxbridge, sells organic vegetables, as well as certified organic beef, chicken, pork, and eggs. Farmhouse Garden is owned and operated by Mike Lanigan, who sells his produce year round at Thornhill Village Market. Mike’s early crops include baby greens and spinach grown in solar-heated cold frames! The Market is held on Saturdays, year round from 8:30 am until 1:30 pm in the Toronto Waldorf School, located at 9100 Bathurst Street in Thornhill, Ontario. Those interested in more information can call 416-875-4205.
- Gallery on the Farm, situated in picturesque Enniskillen, Ontario, is owned and operated by the Bowman family, residents at Bowmanview Farm since 1929. The family sells many heirloom varieties of potatoes, including Chieftain, Yukon Gold and Papa Negres, alongside heirloom tomatoes, onions and sweet corn. In addition to selling edibles, the Bowmans also sell agricultural themed watercolours and palette knife oil paintings at Gallery on the Farm, giving the location its charming name. Some paintings feature landscapes as well as heritage buildings. Call 905-263-8245 to arrange a visit, or stop by the property to visit.
- Link Greenhouse is located in Bowmanville, Ontario. There is a large-scale hydroponic tomato growing operation on site, and bags of these delicious tomatoes are sold for five dollars. Lisa and Henk Mulders, who own the operation, also sell grape tomatoes and cucumbers for very reasonable prices. There is also a greenhouse filled with annual flowers and some perennials, as well, for purchase. Beautiful hanging baskets are available in season, approaching Mother’s Day and the Victoria Day weekend. A visit to this greenhouse is well worth the drive into Bowmanville. The greenhouse is open from March through to December, but closed on Sundays. Call 905-983-9003 for more information.
- The Oshawa Centre Farmer’s Market is the best farmer’s market to visit in the region, and its history speaks for itself; the market has been running since 1959! The market runs from May 2 until October 31, 2008, in the parking lot of the Oshawa Shopping Centre, opposite Zeller’s. The market features vendors from all over Southern Ontario, who offer fruits, vegetables, vegetable plants and baked goods. The market runs from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm on Fridays. For more information, contact Lynn McLaughlin at 905-686-6408, extension 224.
- Durham Region is home to Algoma Orchards, growers of over fifteen varieties of apples. Orchards are located in Newcastle and Whitby, Ontario, with a country store and bakery located in Whitby. In September and October, visitors can pick their own crisp, juicy apples right off the branches! The shop is open all week long from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm. Call 905-655-4961 for general information.
It is evident that Durham Region is home to a wonderful variety of farms and orchards, providing its residents with a terrific array of locally grown food!
