Nothing says summer like farm-fresh food! In fact, if you live in Bolton, you are blessed an option that’s literally minutes from your doorstep.
It’s quaint, it’s authentic, and it’s set against an open backdrop of farmland, lush and serene enough to make you sigh and relax the moment you step from your car (or off your bike).
The sole proprietor of Larry’s Local Market is not Larry. It is Arian. Arian Maddock is a woman who learned her love of gardening from her father. He made sure she helped tend the vegetable gardens while she was growing up.
Arian’s partner, Justin Piercey, is a dairy farmer. His family also does some cash cropping, meaning that some of the crops they grow are not for the purpose of feeding their cows. His knowledge and related skills make soil preparation easier.
Arian has a background as a veterinary technician and that helps with caring for the hens.
“Gardening skills are just something that continually improve over time, and with constant learning” she says. “My spare time is spent watching YouTube videos by decades-long vegetable growers, or doing research on certain plants, and so on.”
The pair live in the farmhouse next door to the market. While growing their own vegetables during the pandemic Arian says she felt inspired to open the market. She firmly believes that food security means being able to source it locally. “There is a big need for local growers, and a need to support them.”
The market opened on April 17th this year, featuring local produce and goods. Eggs, beef and chicken are available consistently. Everything else is seasonal – tomatoes, peppers, lettuces, beets, cucumbers, green onions, winter squashes, zucchini, herbs, sweet corn, pumpkins, and watermelons.
“Our first strawberry harvest should be available early fall, our strawberry plants are fairly young” Arian explained when I stopped in to the market in early June. “And there are some specialty items like honey and farm bouquet flowers! That’s a fairly exhaustive list for this year. Next year we will have seedlings for sale, and hope to have a small number of gardening supplies available such as compost manure and soil.”
Justin has an acquaintance in the Niagara area and they believe they will be able to source peaches from there. As well they will be sourcing apples from their Caledon farm neighbours.
It’s easy to see that Arian is passionate about what she is doing. “I love feeling connected to nature. I believe that a craving to work with the earth is in all of us, like an innate need or an instinct of sorts, that we must grow something to sustain ourselves. I’ve also been loving meeting so many neighbours since opening the market, especially during this time when it’s been harder than ever to feel a sense of community!”
Arian’s current goal is to produce the most delicious tomatoes possible. “That’s what I am personally most excited for this year. However, next year I will be growing more varieties of tomatoes, with specialty heirloom varieties in different colours and flavours.”
Sounds pretty tasty to me!
Oh yes! And just who is Larry? Larry is a valuable and key member of the Piercroft farm family and your local produce stand mascot.
Visit Larry’s Local Market: one driveway south of 12561 Centreville Creek Road, Caledon
Website: larryslocalmarket.ca
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 416-471-9856
Facebook and Instagram @larryslocalmarket
Open: Monday, Tuesday, Friday 10-5, and Saturday 10-4. As well as long weekend Sundays and Mondays, 10-4. Open on July 1st 10-4 as well!
The post Local Veggies and More! Farm-fresh and Minutes From Your Doorstep appeared first on Just Sayin’ Caledon.