Farmers Market Oct 9th – Thanksgiving

 Thanksgiving in is a time of reflection on the many blessings we have received. Working with so many talented people during the operation of the Kerr Village Farmers Market has given all of us many reasons to be thankful. We’re thankful for the farmers and producers who have been part of our market, for our loyal market visitors who have come each week to listen to the music, enjoy breakfast or lunch, and shopped for farm fresh, locally grown Ontario produce.

 Our mandate this season, through a program with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food was to raise awareness for locally grown, fresh fruit and vegetables. We were asked to improve on the ways we could bring fresh, local produce to communities like Kerr Village. 

The Kerr Village Farmer’s Market and the Kerr Village BIA, worked as a team, and have had measurable success. Bringing together incredible opportunities to provide the venue and the audience for Ontario and locally grown products.  By forming a partnership with The Kerr Village BIA, the Town of Oakville and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, a repeatable model has been developed. This model shows how local farmers markets can operate profitably; while raising awareness for the farmers themselves, through a proven co-op methodology. The Kerr Village Farmers Market has brought education, community and fresh, seasonal local produce to Kerr Village, forming alliances and joint ventures with truly measurable results. 

The Kerr Village Farmers Market team has increased consumer awareness for locally grown Ontario foods, Marketing Boards, Farmers, Growers and Manufacturers. This initiative has increased consumers purchasing, not only directly from the Farmer’s Market, but also through the visitors who are visit local community restaurants that are serving products grown in Ontario.

The final Kerr Village Farmer’s Market day was held on Thanksgiving weekend and was an impromptu homecoming for our summer students and volunteers.  Not only were we blessed with excellent weather, we also got a surprise visit from John Prada and Sean Robins, two of our University Students who were interns with us for the summer. They provided both the brains and the brawn required to operate a successful Farmers Market.  It was using the skills of young people like these two; that gave us the unique opportunity we had to develop a strategy that could be measured, monitored and duplicated. It was invigorating to recall all the exciting moments from this past summer, when the entire team contributed to building a successful venture here in Kerr Village.  

Considering this was our final Farmers Market for the season, there was no lack of organized events, professional performers and abundance of seasonal produce. Through the relationships we built this summer we were able to provide Strawberries (Dayberries) right up until the end of September and we were one of a handful of markets that had freshly picked local Ontario Corn thanks to Andrews Scenic Acres.  We even had a special treat for the kids with a visit from Cathy Nesbitt of www.cathyscomposters.com.    

Cathy Nesbitt, Canada’s “Worm Woman” is on a mission to show kids how her worms can save the environment. She had kids build their own worm bins, creating a friendly environment for the worms to do what they do best – Eat garbage!  The Region of Halton also supplied composters for some of the lucky kids to collect food for their new worm farm.

It has been a fantastic year for the promotion of eating local farm produce.  We have seen our attendance grow each week and we have developed a loyal following of consumers who have come to rely on the Kerr Village Farmers Market to bring them a variety of locally produced, farm fresh, fruits and vegetables. 

The 2010 Kerr Village Farmers Market has been a tremendous success and we look forward to continuing to build on the strength and experience we have achieved this year.    

The Kerr Village Farmer’s Market has done something incredibly unique; they have built a repeatable team model that includes all levels of the food chain.  

A copy of the report detailing our Survey results, a Co-operative Farmers Market System, and the Social Media Strategy used to build awareness and to drive consumers, producers and community partners to the Kerr Village Farmers Market is available upon request. Please contact the Kerr Village BIA at info@kerrvillage.ca or call 905-849-8865 for your copy.

Kerr Village Farmers Market Oct 2nd – Fall is in the air! Leaves are Swirling and Worms are Squirmin.

It is definitely fall at the Kerr Village Farmers Market. How can you tell?

Just look at the squash, pumpkins, gourds, apples and new vendors selling Halloween Cookies and Thanksgiving table decorations. 

We welcomed Dee McCauley to the market this week. Dee has been baking up a storm and the smells of fresh baking has permeated her home as she prepared her creative Gingerbread cookies for our market.

Dee was delighted with the response by market visitors last Saturday for her hand decorated cookies. By mid morning when I turned to look at Dee’s table, she had only 3 cookies left in a box and I was ecstatic to learn that she had sold out before 11am.

Make an effort to get to the Market early this Saturday; you don’t want to miss out on Dee’s Cookies. 

We would also like to welcome Marty Bateman from Orchid Bridal and Gifts to the Market.  She has a growing business selling silk floral arrangements for weddings and special events. They have many seasonal gift ideas for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Make sure you drop by Orchid Bridal and Gifts and speak to Marty about her beautiful creations.

We have a special treat for kids this week at the Kerr Village Farmer’s Market. It’s Cathy Nesbitt from “Cathy’s Crawly Composters”  she is going to teach local Kerr Village kids all about worms! 

They will discover worm poo, worm bins, worm paraphernalia and books on worms. This “Squirmin” event will help young kids become farmers……with a different kind of crop – their crop would be – oh no! Poo!

The Red Wigglers will be on hand to show and tell.  Each of the children and their parents can watch a film called “Squirm” – but instead of popcorn being served everyone will be treated to “dirt cupcakes complete with worm topping”. 

This may be the last weekend of the farmers market but it’s not the end of the fun in Kerr Village. Make plans to attend these upcoming events on Kerr St.

Halloween Happenings – Oct 23rd

Christmas Tree Lighting – Nov 19th

Santa Clause Parade – Nov 20^th

Farmers Market Sept 11th – Kevin Flynn MPP Oakville Vists the Market

Kevin FlynnThe Kerr Village BIA and the Farmers Market had a special guest on September 11th.  Kevin Flynn the Member of Provincial Parliament for Oakville paid us a visit at the market.  The purpose of his visit was to present the Kerr Village BIA and The Farmers Market with a Grant from Agriculture Canada and the Ontario Market Fund OMAFRA.  The purpose of the grant is to promote the use of locally produce fruits, vegetables, and Meats from growers and producers from within 100 miles of Kerr Village.  Kevin Flynn pointed out that restaurants like Cora’s Breakfast are a great example of a company that supports buying locally.  Much of their fruit is purchased from local growers and producers and we know they use a lot of fruit in the breakfast dishes they prepare.  You can watch the full video of Kevin’s presentation by visiting our Facebook Page.

Sept 11th was a very busy day.  The market was well represented by farmers from both our Co-Op tents to lcoal vendors and producers.   We had special guests as well such as Oakville United Taxi

b10th Anniversary Celebration

who were celebrating their 10th anniversary in Oakville,  The Town of Oakville talking about sustainability ideas for residents and Goodlife fitness sharing ideas on staying fit and eating healthy.  Overall it was a very exciting day at the market with Kevin Flynn’s presentation, the vendors and the farmers.  We are looking forward to the remaining Saturday’s of the market including our next  big event which is taking place on Saturday September 25th and will include a visit to the Market by the Wine Laddies , Tag Vodka , and Liaison College.  We also invite you to check out this Letter to the Editor about Kerr Village, Treasure Island Books and how the community cares about its members.  Treasure Island Books Will Be Missed

Farmers Market Aug 28th

Saturday August 28th marked the last Saturday in August. What a change we are seeing in the locally grown fruits and vegetables.  This weekend was the last of the local Ontario Blueberries.  As disappointing as this was to our market visitors, they were encouraged with the arrival of fresh Ontario Apples  including , Jersey Mac, Pollard and Ginger Gold.  We also welcomed a new vendor this week “Cody’s Cows”.  Owners Jeff and Shawna bring their local farm fresh meats and eggs Pre-Packaged for Delivery or Pick-Up.  For more information call 519-853-5320.  Omar Al-Hafidh is a caricature artist who is a regular at our market.  Omar will do children’s portraits for $5.00 and Adults for $10.00.  Check out more of his work on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/kerrfm .  The Kerr Village Farmers Market has come to the assistance of Bruce Ferrier of Treasure Island Books.  Bruce was given notice to vacate his location by  the end of August.  Bruce will be selling his books at the Kerr Village Farmers Market from now until Oct 9th

Come Visit Bruce Ferrier at the Kerr Village Farmers Market

 when the market waps up for the season.   Please plan on dropping by the Market to support Bruce’s initiative to sell his remaining books.  We have some exciting events comming up that we would like to tell you about.  On September 11th Kevin Flynn our MPP will be visiting the market  to present the Kerr Village BIA with a Grant from the Ontario Market Fund OMAFRA.  This grant is to assist the Kerr Village Farmers Market in promoting the benefits of eating locally produced fruits and vegetables.  The second and equally as exciting event is a  Vodka Cooking and Sampling event on September 25th hosted by the Wine Ladies www.thewineladies.com, Tag Vodka www.tagvodka.com and Chef Paul of Liaison College www.liaisoncollageoakville.com .  September is going to be an exciting time at the Farmers Market and we look forwad to seeing you their this Saturday.

Farmers Market Aug 14th

What a great week it was for the Kerr Village Farmers Market.  The Peaches and Blackberries were in ripe for the picking and we continue to have an excellent supply of Day Berry’s from the Tigchelaar Berry Farm in Vineland.   We also had the opportunity to interview a few of our farmers this week.   We have made arrangements to appear on the Donna Messer’s Blog Talk Radio program which airs on Thursdays at 10:30.  This week Donna interviewed David Leask the musical performer, Douglas Eiche from Doug’s Honey and some out of town guests who were in Oakville for the Jazz Festival and happened by the Kerr Street Farmers Market on Saturday.  You can listen to a re-broadcast of this Blog Talk Radio show by click here  SWEET MUSIC .  On August 21st we have several special guests at the market including Chef Paul Hoag from Liaison College along with Camerons Brewery who will team up to prepare several recipies using Camerson’s Beer.  We will also have GoodLife Fitness at the market and they will have free giveaways plus draws for some fabulous prizes.  We look forward to seeing you at the Market.

Fresh Blackberries