Junction Farmer Market- Fiddlehead Farm
Fiddlehead Farm
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It was such a great day for approaching local, sustainably produced fresh foods enjoying organic food, and especially having some fun with farmers from Function Famer's Market at 2960 Dundas St West, every Saturday, 9 am – 1 pm.
There are always something new to see and learn. We can able to have a chance to explore issues and the growing interest in the story of how and where the food on our tables is produced, processed and marketed.
Fortunately, I had a closely warm conversation with Steph, a producer comes from Fiddlehead Farm. It can commonly be seen as an ecological farming, it's quite different from organic food. Due to fact that these farmers are inspired by not only feeding people tasty foods, but also ensurely promoting biodiversity, rebuilding soils, and contribute to develop the sustainable agriculture.
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Steph and other farmers have been growing plants in Prince Edward County for 6 years until now . Providing ingredients over 150 farms, sharing families with summer and winter vegetable baskets. In fact, the amount of agricultural products that they can make are not that much. It basically depends on external factors such as weather condition, vitamin, minerals of soil, human resources, financial as well; Especially, Steph shared that this is how they can live, no outside funding or any supporters. Therefore, they just focus on the quality of products outweigh quantity. It's also the reason why they could not be a main source to provide ingredients for restaurant. Actually, they have abilities, but all these restaurants need supplying with a cheaper price and a huge number.
Indeed, through this time, I have a sense of the advantages and disadvantages that these farmers have to be endured. Firstly, from the way they grew vegetables taking so long time to get final products. Secondly, Canada's weather does not truly support them when they can only concentrate on 6 months - one season; Or even they must find some vegetables can fix with that season so theat they can maintain their life. Later on, storaged ingredients was required temperature, moisture, space, or dry room. That's not easy at all. Steph said that this farm is as their life source. They produced, consumed and sold. Mainly varieties of potatoes, Beans (green fillet and edamame), Beets (red and yellow), Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbages (Green, Red, Napa), Carrots, Celeriac, Cucumbers, Edible Flowers, Eggplant, and Greens, etc.
I brought one bag of sweet potatoes, approximately 8-9. They are thicker and longer comparing with my thumb with a price at $5/bag. I think it's totally fine, not too expensive. I made sweet potatoes soup after that. Actually, these potatoes are residual from last harvest. They stored it very well, and waiting for summer's coming to sale.
From my point of view, this experience was bring me to come closer with the origin of what feed me every day. I learned a lots; especially, understand how inportant of ingredients, health lifestyle, environmental protect as well as motivation getting into farming.
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​Fiddlehead Farm Website: https://www.fiddlehead-farm.ca/#farmers
