Strawberry season is short but sweet — and, while the supply of Ontario-grown berries is at its peak flavour and availability, it is no wonder there is a rush to capitalize on a bountiful harvest.
Churches host strawberry suppers and teas, bakeries display strawberry-rhubarb pies and strawberry shortcake, and farmers’ markets host strawberry festivals.
The Innisfil Farmers’ Market held its Strawberry Festival on July 5, a celebration of everything berry.
The Summer Oven Bakery sold strawberry pies, strawberry tarts, strawberry shortcake, strawberry jam, and it sold out of strawberry muffins within minutes of the market opening.
There were fresh berries available, strawberry candies, and strawberry crafts at the children’s table.
The market also hosted an artisans’ fair, with crafters selling everything from Sock Softiez stuffed animals, to WP Creations.com’s plaster casts of baby hands and feet.
Food trucks, live music by The Fitzees, face-painting, games, and prizes — with an estimated 45 vendors, the market was a lively place until the thunderclouds rolled in.
Although Mother Nature did not co-operate with this year’s Strawberry Festival, the Innisfil Farmers’ Market will be back every Thursday afternoon from 2-7 p.m., outdoors in the south parking lot of the Innisfil Recreation Complex, until Oct. 4.
The market, now in its eighth season, is managed by the vendors themselves through an Innisfil Farmers’ Market committee, co-ordinated by a market manager.
Fifty-one percent of vendors are primary producers, growing at least 70 per cent of the products they offer for sale — giving shoppers a taste of what’s fresh, local and in-season. Like strawberries.
