Now, you may have noticed that I am a fan of the farmers market. If you have not, then congratulations on being a first time reader- welcome!
I generally make it every weekend, but sometimes life gets in the way and I simply cannot make it. Whether it is a kid’s hockey game, a late Friday night, or some other event... It happens. The week following a missed market experience, I am a little “blah.” You really can’t replicate the enthusiasm of getting something at the market. For instance last week, I took advantage of the 3 for 10 dollar selections from Brule Creek. I was a little apprehensive, because I had used the flour before and my recipe was an epic fail, but I thought what the hey! I am SO glad that I did. I realized that I had not given them a fair chance- the pizza dough was awesome, and so were the pancakes.
Where was I? Ah yes, missed market day.
Fret not, there are other options for us out there. In addition to the Superior Season’s online market, there is the new and improved True North Co-op! Located in the Old Folino’s Building, the True North Coop shares the space with the Green House. I had the pleasure of visiting and learning a little more about the place.
The Co-op has over 450 members, of which about 60 are producers. The individual farmers and food producers set their own prices and that is what you pay. There is a hugely diverse collection of items to buy in the store. Meat, eggs and even foraged items like blueberries and the Boreal Forest teas. You can find Loonsong gluten free flour from Manitoulin, as well as rolled oats and black turtle beans. There is a good selection of Thornloe cheeses, Brule Creek flour, Byer's Beef, Bear's Bees and Honey, Chicken Little eggs and a lot more.
I found it really cool that there are even members of the coop in northern, fly-in only communities…and they have access to these same local goods at the same price as in the store. A community owned co-op is a fantastic way for consumers to know where their food comes from and become familiar with prices that are fair to both the farmer and the buyer. It’s all about making good food accessible to everyone!
Are you a gardener? The Green House, the store that shares the space with True- North co-op has heirloom seeds available from Salt Spring Island. I know that is not local like all of the items the co-op carries, but if you plant them in your yard it will definitely be local produce!
The store also has pottery and even furniture. You have to check it out for yourself so you can see all the cool stuff that the store has.
True North Community Co-op is Located at 198 Algoma in the old Folino’s Building. They’re open 10-5:30 Monday - Friday and 10-5 on Saturday. Have a look around, and make sure to check out their beautiful countertop mosaic!
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Kelly Allard