All aboard! Rural Routes helps city folks discover their roots
Thanks to all who made our first Rural Routes tour a success! Despite rainy skies and the threat of thunderstorms, 55 people filled an articulated HSR bus on June 12th, selling-out our trip to ManoRun Organic Farm. Between bread-baking in the woodfire oven, visiting the barn animals and picking up some fresh produce to take home, participants got the chance to meet farmer Chris Krucker and learn about how their food is grown. 
The Dundas Farmers Market kicks off the 2010 season
The reopening of the Dundas Farmer’s Market on June 17 was a great success! Vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, baked goods, herbs, jam and honey gathered at the corner of Miller’s Lane and Hatt Street, behind the Dundas public library, where crowds flowed in to enjoy foods grown, raised and prepared locally.
Under clear and sunny skies, shoppers could buy products from gluten-free baking to wild boar, as well as plenty of organic produce. At the Hamilton Eat Local table, market-goers picked up their Hamilton Farm Map and Directory, in which they could learn about close to 70 farms and vendors in and around the city. Some of the directory’s locations had booths at the market, including ManoRun Organic Farm, Plan ‘B’ Organic Farm and La Primavera Farms.
The Dundas Farmers market will operate every Thursday from 3-7pm until October 28. As the weeks roll by, offers will change with the season, so be sure to stop by and see what’s fresh!
Farm Fresh!
Last Thursday, for the second year in a row, Hamilton Eat Local joined Judy Musitano from Farm Fresh Country Market at the annual ecomarket at the Canadian Centre for Inland Waters in Burlington. Judy came packed with a van full of freshly picked local foods and we served up our 2010 Farm Map and Directory next to her beautiful display. Hundreds of Environment Canada employees passed by our tables and, wowed by the colourful arrangement, took the opportunity to pick up some fresh vegetables and farm maps!
Thanks to Cheryl Tinson and the Burling Green Team for inviting us back to the ecomarket this year, and to Judy Musitano for her tireless promotion of Ontario grown food. Check out her year 'round retail location at 390 Barton Street (at Millen Road) in Stoney Creek, or look for her at the Hamilton Moutain and Ancaster Farmers Markets.
Coming to a farm near you...
Hamilton Eat Local, in partnership with Tourism Hamilton, Smart Commute and the HSR, is happy to present Rural Routes: a monthly bus excursion to a Hamilton area farm. We'll visit 4 farms throughout the summer, each with their own on-site activity and market stand:June 12th: ManoRun Organic Farm
July 10th: Morden's Organic Farm Store
August 21st: Puddicombe Estate Farm and Winery
September 11th: Carluke Orchards
Each trip departs at 1:00 pm from the Bread and Roses Cafe in downtown Hamilton, and returns at 3:30. And it's just $5 for adults and $2 for children and seniors! Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Bread and Roses Cafe.
We'll keep you posted as the wheel's start rolling, but for more information in the meantime, check out Smart Commute Hamilton for more details!