The Algoma Farmers’ Market is one of several places in the Sault that sells fresh produce.
Each of its vendors are enthusiastic about what they offer.
A wide variety of fresh vegetables is brought to the market from Wilding Acres, a family farm located on Town Line.
“We sell vegetables from A to Z,” said proprietor Christopher Robin Wilding in an interview with SooToday at the market Saturday.
People are familiar with most of their vegetables, but what is kohlrabi?
“It's a German word. Kohlrabi tastes like a turnip or a rutabaga. They’re green or purple and we’ve started growing them this year,” Wilding said.
Kohlrabi are packed with nutrients such as Vitamin C.
Wilding Acres includes a 30-foot-by-100-foot greenhouse and three acres of surrounding garden.
It’s been a mixed year for farmers, Wilding said.
“Because of the heavy snow we had last winter, everything was a bit delayed. For some reason our cucumbers were on time but everything else was probably about two or three weeks behind. But we've been getting adequate rain so everything's been working well.
"As a farmer you have to roll with the punches.”
The advantage of farmers’ markets is that food sold is locally produced and fresh, Wilding said.
“If you want things that are fresh, this was picked yesterday. When you look in the grocery store, and you ask them when something was picked, they have no idea. They really don't know.
"But you can go ahead and ask us. I know my father picked this around three o'clock yesterday afternoon,” said Wilding, pointing to the produce on his table.
Michel Poirier, along with his wife and son, bring produce in from their business known as The Garden Grove on Base Line.
“We sell a variety of produce. My wife does baking and we have preserves. Our peppers are popular. We have the green peppers, shishito peppers, we have jalapenos. Everything is about as fresh as you can find.
"We pick the night before and the morning of the market,” Poirier said.
However, the Algoma Farmers’ Market isn’t all about fruit and vegetables.
Other vendors sell maple syrup, plants, arts and crafts and baked goods for those with a sweet tooth.
Lorraine Matheson of Baking by Lorraine makes the trip from Bruce Mines to set up her booth at the market every Saturday.
“I bake and sell a mixture of items and if anybody wants to request something, I'll certainly make it for them. I just love to bake,” Matheson said.
Baked goods that catch the eye at Baking by Lorraine include large peanut butter cookies.
“My pies and cinnamon buns are my biggest sellers. I bake pies of all kinds. They sell every weekend. And the kids love those large peanut butter cookies.”
More than offering fresh, locally-produced food, farmers’ markets are also places where people can mingle.
“It's a social thing. That's what I like about it because you get to see a lot of people. I see a lot of people I used to work with before I retired and it's a real treat to communicate with them,” Matheson said.
Poirier agreed.
“I like the camaraderie with the other vendors and also just meeting the people. Customers love this open market feeling. They come here and see people they know and socialize,” Poirier said.
The Algoma Farmers’ Market has been in business in the Sault since 1901.
Its current location is adjacent to the Roberta Bondar Pavilion and it's open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays from June until Thanksgiving in October.
