Burlington Farmers Market

The Burlington Mall Farmers Market is a foodie’s dream... it’s all about food. This is a relatively small market, but it’s full of wonderful local produce and other good things to eat. Everything is priced reasonably and there is a wide variety to choose from.

Depending on the week, there is always at least three or four local farmers selling their farm fresh product. I love that I can pick up a dozen fresh eggs from Lauray Farms, a pot of fresh herbs from Hutchinson Farm, and a fantastic loaf of marble rye bread for about 10 dollars and make it back home in time to make a leisurely weekend breakfast.

While you’re picking up the makings of a leisurely weekend breakfast, you can’t help but think about dinner. J&G Meats offers a good selection of meats including weekly specials such as cranberry and sage stuffed boneless skinless chicken breasts. Along with some veggies and a fresh home baked pie, you can pick up dinner for two for about 20 dollars.

Throughout the farmers market season, the produce changes with the weather. On Canada Day, the market was awash with strawberries from all the local farms. It smelled heavenly. While the asparagus season is almost finished, it’s now time for lettuce and sugar peas to start appearing. I saw the first sugar snap peas of the season at the Lauray Farms booth. Soon raspberries will make their appearance at the market, Hutchinson Farm is predicting that their raspberries will be ready for picking around July 10.

But what happens if you get peckish while you shop the market? Well, the snack shack offers a selection of grilled items (sausages, hot dogs, back bacon on a bun) for under four dollars. If that doesn’t do it for you, the bakers always have a vast selection of squares and muffins and other baked goods that are perfect to nosh on that cost less than five dollars (I recommend the date squares or butter tarts for early morning shopping). Or who knows, you could get lucky and find yourself walking the market with treat like a cup of vanilla ice cream and strawberries for the best price of all... free. The Lion’s Club were dishing these cups out along with a snazzy reusable tote bag as their celebration for Canada Day.

There are a few tables and chairs near the snack shack if you need to take a snack break during your trip to the market but if you’re at the market looking for a picnic, Central Park is about two blocks away on Guelph Line.

Started in 1959, The Burlington Farmer’s Market is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The Burlington Lions Club run the market, using the proceeds to fund charitable projects in the Burlington area. The market is located on the south side Burlington Mall parking lot (Prospect Street). It operates rain or shine, Wednesdays and Friday from 8 am to 4 pm and Saturdays from 8 am until noon.

Our guest market blogger this week is Michelle Gatien.  Michelle’s love of local, seasonal, reasonably priced food comes from her culinary training, which she gave up to pursue television production, writing and photography. This summer, Michelle is embarking on a new adventure, as she discovers the art and science of preserving Ontario fruit and vegetables. You can follow Michelle on Twitter (@michellegate).

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