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Eat local at Nicholyn Farms country market in Springwater

Want to eat local?

If so, Nicholyn Farms should be on your radar. “We’re a one-stop shopping experience for locally-produced food, certified organic and traditionally-raised products,” said Lynda Van Casteren, whose family owns and operates the 3,000-square foot farm market and bakery just north of Barrie.

The country market sells edibles from its own farm, and showcases products from more than 90 other local farms and producers.

Along with meats, dairy products, maple syrup, garden-fresh produce, eggs, honey, preserves and prepared foods, grocery items and scooped ice cream, a bakery and café is also on-site.

Nicholyn Farms is a marketplace for local producers to sell their goods — whether it’s a farmer selling maple syrup or a local baker looking for a venue to showcase vegan cheesecakes.

“Our goal is to create a fair-trade system so that local farmers and producers have a hub to get their products to the consumers, because not every producer is on a well-travelled road, or is able to have staff to sell their products full time,” she said.

“It’s a win-win situation for both consumers and producers.”

In terms of food philosophy, Van Casteren believes in eating local and in season.

“Everything we serve in the café is as local as it gets. Our lasagna is made with the beef we raise and the vegetables we grow.”

The menu features soups, hot and cold sandwiches, salads, baked goods, fair-trade coffee and tea and more. During the warmer months, a weekly special is offered.

Top sellers include soups (either hot at the café or frozen for take-home), peameal bacon on a bun, made-from-scratch pies, salads, gourmet greens and homemade hummus.

Just for the record, this reporter’s Nicholyn Farms must haves are Milford Bay Smoked Trout Paté, Gianetto’s Dip and the organic greens.

Keeping it fresh, the local farm grows veggies and greens year-round. The ability to harvest 365 days a year is courtesy of its geodesic dome greenhouse.

“We grow onions, peppers, patty pan, zucchini, tomatoes, peas, potatoes, edible flowers, spinach, kale, various herbs and mixed greens in the dome,” she said. “It’s fantastic!”

The farm also grows fresh fruits and vegetables in a traditional greenhouse, and outside in a two-acre garden and orchard. All gardens are spray-free.

On a final note, since Nicholyn Farms is all about partnerships, its latest one will make you smile.

“We were running out of pasture for our 400 sheep, so we sent them to a cherry orchard in Norfolk County,” she said.

“The sheep get a new pasture and the orchard gets free grass-cutting services. It works for everyone.”


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