Saturdays At The Aberfoyle Farmers' Market

 
I had the pleasure to go back to my old stomping grounds the other weekend when I visited the Aberfoyle Farmers Market, located in Southern Wellington County, just of the 401 corridor. This market has a special place in my heart as I discovered this market a couple of years back coming back home one day from the Guelph Farmers Market. Ever since then, I visited the market regularly and had even become friends with some of its vendors!
 
The Aberfoyle Farmers’ Market is a hidden gem just off the 401 located at the Optimist Recreation Centre. I like to think of this market as small but mighty because of its vast offerings of products in its space. You can find everything from fruits and vegetables to meats from chicken, pork, lamb all the way to Wagyu beef, baked goods, sweet treats to the best apple fritters you’ll ever have!

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One of the first things you notice at the Aberfoyle market is the chalkboard at the entrance. It highlights some of the new or unique market finds for that day – seasonal fruit or veg, or special offers. The week I visited, highlights included donut peaches, plums as well as some new-to the market vendors.

Once you enter the market you are almost overwhelmed with the bustling circle of vendors that line the fence of the covered outdoor arena space. Then, as your eyes focus, you take notice of the coffee stand “Just a Cup” with their freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked treats.
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​Before I started my market shopping, I stopped by the “Just A Cup” stand and got myself a freshly brewed cup of coffee and a freshly baked pastry. I just couldn’t resist once I saw the lemon custard tarts with fresh berry compote. Not to mention they also had butter tarts, apple pies, turnovers, and scones - a great way to start your shopping if you ask me!

​You have two options: you can either sit and enjoy your breakfast at one of the tables set up in the rink or you can grab your coffee and pastry like I did and do a loop around the market! You can observe some of the art and artisanal products featured at the market that week. Then once your hands are free, you can start shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other products that the market has to offer that day. ​

If you are looking for seasonal fruit, Warner Orchards is the booth for you. I got my fill of peaches, plums, nectarines, and cucamelons; I know, not exactly a fruit, but a special find that I just had to get my hands on!
 
Warner Orchards is a family run Niagara fruit farm started by Jim and Mary Warner. They have been growing fruit and other vegetables for over 40 years! They also sell homemade jam from and they love to chat with their customers about their products, farms, and even recipes! 

For vegetables there are a lot more vendors from Fresh Ayr Farm to Warner Orchards, Garden of Puslinch Farm to Lincoln Mushrooms and VanDenbroek Farm. At these stands you’ll find all types of veggies, all depending on the season of course!

Vanderbroek Farm is a family-run operation near Carlisle, Ontario. For 49 years they have brought the best, freshest produce to local communities. They grow more than thirty-five different types of vegetables and herbs, plus eight types of fruits!

The market also has some excellent and unique meat vendors. Top Market Meats and Wagyu World. At Top Market Meats you’ll find everything from chicken to lamb and goat to pork sausages, eggs, cured meats and other products depending on the time of year. 

​Wagyu World is a little more specialized. Stop by here if you want to get your hands on some Wagyu beef products - but get there early because they tend to sell out quickly! Wagyu World prides themselves with producing the most delicious Waygu beef in the region. Their beef have no growth hormones, no animal-by products, no antibiotics and are source verified!

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​There’s also lots to eat at the Aberfoyle Market from the freshly baked goods at Just A Cup to breakfast sandwiches, Mediterranean treats and Thai food to apple fritters,also known as Aberfritters at this market.
I had the chance to chat with Blair Mooch, co-founder of Aberfritters Inc. behind what inspired them to open such a business. Blair commented, “We really started this as a way to attract more people to the market. I mean who can say no to apple fritters?” 

And after trying one of their fritters, I couldn’t agree more with Blair’s statement -- they were the best apple fritters I have ever had! The freshness and quality of these fritters were something else, you can taste the crispness of the apple as you bite into one freshly fried apple fritters.  The batter was light and did not overpower the apple, and the cinnamon sugar added just the right type of sweetness -- I just want to go back just to have another one! 

The Aberfoyle Farmers’ Market is really a local market at heart. It not only seeks local vendors but notes each vendor’s ‘distance away’ on a sign at each booth. Every week a different musician is busking at the market and many other activities like face painting entertain market goers! If you ever find yourself along the 401 on a Saturday morning and happen to pass by Aberfoyle’s road sign, make an exit and visit the market. You won’t regret the pit stop! 

A side note: ​This market is outdoors in a covered space, completely accessible with lots of parking!

For more information on the Aberfoyle Farmers’ Market see https://aberfoylemarket.ca/ for information on local food in Wellington County, visit www.tastereal.ca . 

-Sassy