There is perhaps no greater satisfaction than talking to the people who take pride in growing your food. These days, more folks are making the healthy decision to buy produce, meats, baked goods and yes, crafts, from people they know at a Farmers' Market.
Not only does it give Fresh a new meaning, but you are taking part in a buying-selling tradition that dates back many thousands of years to ancient Sumeria and prior. Once you visit our market, you will find out why Farmers' Markets are fast becoming a popular combination shopping and social experience.
There is mention of regular outdoor markets on clay tablets from the ancient city of Ur in Mesopotamia, now considered to be part of Iraq.
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This image is a Sumerian clay tablet, dating back 3,000 years. Similar tablets recorded the activities of Farmer Market trading sessions. |
But the best peek at Markets past comes from Rome and Greece. The Barrie Farmers' Market follows in the tradition of the Agoras of Greece. The ancient Grecian Agora best known and documented is in Athens, at the foot of the Acropolis. It was called the Athenian. This ancient site borders streets where outdoor markets flourish today.
The ancient Athenian Agora was not only the commercial centre of the city, it was its political, cultural and religious one as well. The administrative buildings and the temples were built in this area, where the public services and the courts of law were also based. This was where Athenians gathered on a daily basis, not only to buy and sell their goods, but also to learn the news, to criticize the government and to exchange views.
The similarities to our Barrie Farmers' Market today are striking. Located on the grounds of Barrie City Hall, the Market is almost in the very chambers of municipal government, and the administrative offices that run the City. From the Market, you can see the MacLaren Art Centre, site of the old Library. That's the cultural link. Again, you can see Collier Street United Church from the grounds of the Market. There's the temple/religion link. And to the south, again from the Market, you can see the old Armory, where soldiers trained and stored their weapons. There's the military link. And if you want to hear a diversity of views, and criticism of government, you will find that as well. How goes the saying? "Everything old is new again."
In a study conducted by Farmers' Markets Ontario and the University of Guelph School of Rural Planning Development, the 100 plus Farmers' Markets in Ontario added over a Billion dollars to the Ontario economy in 1998. They create jobs, encourage additional farm gate sales, and have spun off many new businesses. Attendance is on the rise. More and more Markets are opening to offer a very old, and and the same time, very new alternative to buying produce, meats and baked goods.
Aside from a good ol' meeting place to stock the larder, talk to friends, catch up on the news, voice your opinion, play a friendly game of cards while enjoying coffee, juice and baked goods, we offer the following, depending on season and general availability:
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Asparagus Broccoli Carrots Cauliflower Corn Lettuce Mushrooms Onions Parsnips Peppers Potatoes Tomatoes Zucchini And More... |
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Apples Apricots Blueberries Cantaloupe Cherries Gooseberries Grapes Muskmelon Peaches Pears Plums Raspberries Rhubarb Strawberries And much more.. |
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Beef Chicken Cured meats Emu European meats Lamb Pork Smoked meats Baked goods Bird feeders Candles Chocolate & candy Eggs Garden decorations Gluten-free desserts Greeting cards Home-made soaps Honey Hot & cold meals Jams & jellies Knitting/sewing Maple syrup Organic breads Organic grains Paintings & prints Plants & flowers Preserves Soups & chowders Sugar-reduced desserts Walking sticks Wood work Wooden toys |
Coming north on Highway 400, take the Dunlop Street turnoff into Barrie. Then follow Dunlop Street to Mulcaster then turn left. The Market, and Barrie City Hall are at the top of the hill.
By air, this is what you will see,
courtesy of Google Earth. Unfortunately this image was snapped
by the
European Space Agency about an hour after the market ends on
Saturday.
Parking is free near the Market in downtown Barrie during the hours of the Market on Saturday morning. You may park on Collier Street or in the Municipal Parking lot on Mulcaster across the street from the Market free of charge.
The Barrie Farmers' Market is open every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00, year round (with time off between Christmas and New Year's Day). Smart customers arrive early to get the best pick of the freshest produce and baked goods.
As cute as they
are, pets are not permitted during our
indoor sessions or inside Barrie City
Hall for health
reasons.
