During the summer months, the Innisfil Farmers’ Market is held outdoors in the south parking lot at the Innisfil Recreational Complex.
But summer is over. The winds have shaken most of the last leaves from the trees, and Innisfil has seen its first snowfall.
“We’ve moved indoors,” said market manager Jaime Grant, “and it’s been very well-received.”
The Innisfil Farmers’ Market still takes place from 2-6 p.m. on Thursdays, but the vendors are now located inside the recreation complex, in the main hall — vendors like Lakeside Gardens, Innisfil Creek Honey, Pilliteri Wines, Thor Farm Natural Meats, Stone Horse Farm, and Grant’s own Summer Oven bakery.
Moving inside isn’t the only adjustment to the colder weather.
“We have a lot more hot food. We have soups and chilis,” said Grant, as well as food trucks setting up just outside the south doors of the complex.
Planning has already begun for the holiday season, with special artisan events scheduled for Dec. 5, Dec. 12, and Dec. 19.
The Innisfil Farmers' Market is partnering with the Innisfil Arts, Culture & Heritage Council to welcome “actual artists and unique one-of-a-kind” works, Grant said, and there will be free activities for children.
“We’ve got school choirs coming out, we have music schools bringing their best students,” Grant added. “We’re going to fill the halls with holiday music and cheer the whole month.”
Grant herself is getting ready to begin her holiday baking, with mincemeat tarts, fern tarts, Christmas boxes of cookies “for teachers and friends – lots of specialty things we don’t make the rest of the year,” she said.
The market will also be thinking of others during the holiday season – and will be accepting donations of non-perishable food for the Innisfil Food Bank, starting on Dec. 5.
The first indoor session of the Bradford Farmers’ Market will take place this Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., inside the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library at 425 Holland St. W. Vendors will be back with fresh, locally grown produce, preserves, local honey, fresh baked goods and more, plus crafts and seasonal items.
Additional indoor markets are planned in Bradford on Nov. 30, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21.
