Shopping Ontario's Farms: An All-Season Directory

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

What could be more enticing than freshly picked vegetables, redolent of
soil and sun? If you agree that produce from the supermarket is a poor
substitute for the rich harvest to be had at farms across Ontario, this
book’s for you.

The directory divides the province into seven areas, and for each
provides a map and a list of farms open to the public, farmers’
markets, and farm festivals. The farm-gate sales are the most
interesting because they offer the consumer direct contact with the
farm. Even at a farmers’ market, the produce is one step removed from
its source; when you shop at a farm—especially on a pick-your-own
basis—you experience the land as well as its products. Each farm and
farm-market listing includes directions, types of products available,
owners’ names, phone numbers for those who want to call ahead, and
other information useful to anyone planning an excursion down rural
routes.

As well as the obvious fruits and vegetables in season and
pick-your-own opportunities, the directory includes sources for eggs,
maple syrup, homemade breads, pies, jams and jellies, berries, cider,
honey, cheese, bedding plants, flowers, herbs, grains, meat, and other
farm produce.

For the festivals, the listings are rather too brief: location, dates,
contact person, and a very scanty list of activities (horse pulls,
midway, arts and crafts, 4H activities, and so on).

The directory is strictly data, with no attempt made to add motivation
through text or illustrations: all steak, no sizzle. This makes it easy
to use (no surplus material to slow down the flow of listings) and keeps
the printing costs low.