• Ontario
• Greater Toronto Area
• Halton Region
• Oakville

Summer Starts with Civitan Farmer's Market

Summer is upon us. The sun is shining, the temperatures are creeping up, and dusty sandals are being pulled out from the backs of our closets. And, in Oakville, three things signify that summer is truly on its way: mobs of young families being to populate Coronation Park; the lineup outside the Lakeshore & Thomas butcher’s street stand starts to clog the sidewalk; and the annual Civitan Farmer’s Market pops up again.

For 36 years, Oakvillians have flocked to the Market to purchase high-quality local goods, including produce, dried meats, flowers, and body products. Civitan, a local volunteer organization, directs its profits from the Market towards local charities.

Welcome to the Civitan Farmer's Market!

On Saturday, May 6th, the Civitan Farmer’s Market opened its 2016 season. As one approached the Market, the air thickened with the smells of fresh pastries and cured meats, and the vendors proudly displayed their wares. I arrived a few hours after the Market had opened. Following an early-morning rush that had nearly emptied some of the vendors’ tables, there was a bit of a lull in the crowd as displays were hurriedly refilled.

Alder brook Farm sweetened things up with their local honey.

I walked from one end of the Market to the other, surveying the stands and enjoying the atmosphere. “Would you like to sample a chocolate chip cookie?”, a young woman standing at Our Mom’s Cookies asked. The cookie was the perfect balance between crunchy and soft, and its chocolate chips were large and gooey. “We’ll be here every week from now on,” the woman informed me. Reasonably-priced delicious homemade cookies? I promised I’d be back.

The Millcreek Flower Farm had the perfect gifts for Mother's Day.

The prices at the Farmer’s Market are only slightly higher than those of the local grocery stores, but the produce and meats are noticeably more attractive. The Ontario tomatoes are ripe and juicy. The breadmakers stand beside their baked goods, ready to answer any questions about ingredients and preparation. There are more flavours of jam than can be counted using just fingers and toes. And the selection of products is almost overwhelming - one could spend a good hour just seeing what what is available.

Quality Bakery offered a wide selection of breads and other baked goods.

The Farmer’s Market will continue to run every Saturday until the end of November, from 8:00am until 2:00pm at Dorval Crossing East (Oakville Town Centre II). It’s a great way to spend a Saturday morning, alone or with family or friends.

For more information on the Civitan Club of Oakville, and about the Farmer’s Market (for customers and for prospective vendors), visit www.oakvillecivitan.ca.