The harvest season is providing a significant bounty of fresh food near Newmarket, where local farmers are offering a wide variety of seasonal produce. This abundance is being highlighted by local market operators who aim to showcase the year-round availability of Ontario-grown food.

What is available during the harvest?

Local markets are currently stocked with a diverse range of vegetables and herbs. The Holland Marsh Food Market, run by Liz Gorzo, offers products sourced from the nearby "salad bowl" region. Available items include:

  • Root vegetables such as carrots, onions, potatoes, beets, and parsnips
  • Leafy greens including spinach and various lettuces
  • Seasonal staples like celery, cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage
  • Fresh herbs and Ontario garlic

Gorzo noted that many items, such as certain root vegetables, are still sourced with dirt on them to ensure ideal storage through the winter months.

Supporting local food systems

Beyond large-scale farming, the harvest season is reflected in smaller, community-driven efforts. In the Alberton area of Newmarket, Lesiba Seaba has developed an urban tree nursery in his backyard. Starting from discarded fruit seeds, his nursery now includes several varieties of trees:

  • Mango and avocado
  • Peach and guava
  • Lemon, orange, and litchi

Seaba uses recycled grocery bags as creative, space-saving planters to grow these trees in a residential setting. This method allows for food production even in areas with limited garden space.

A history of local agriculture

The connection to the land runs deep for many in the area. For the Holland Marsh Food Market, the business is situated on property owned by the family since the 1980s. Gorzo's father originally moved to the area in the early 1960s, working for other farmers before eventually purchasing his own land. He grew more than a dozen different crops and sold them at the Toronto food terminal. This long-standing agricultural history provides the foundation for the current market, which continues to use crops grown on the family's three parcels of farmland.

FAQ

Is the produce available year-round?

While the harvest season offers a specific peak of abundance, many growers source from greenhouses to provide food throughout the winter.

How is the local produce stored?

Some root vegetables are kept with their soil intact to help them stay fresh for longer storage periods.