The Low-Down on Farm-to-Table

The definition of Farm to Table or Farm to Fork is “a social movement that promotes eating local food that was acquired directly from the producer”. The movement can be applied anywhere that food is available – restaurants, cafeterias, markets and especially in the home kitchen. At its core, the farm to table movement is about ensuring that just-picked produce is being consumed as soon as possible to get the most nutritional value from the fruit and vegetables. Outside of having better tasting and more nutrient dense foods, farm to table also helps:

• Boost the local economy
• Support local farmers
• Promote sustainable agriculture practices

The idea of eating only locally grown, sustainable produce in Barrie, Ontario, can be intimidating, but it is more affordable and more accessible than you think. We’ve rounded up some of the best ways to shop and eat local in and around Barrie all year long.

Shopping Farm-to-Table

Barrie Hill Farms is a great farm near Barrie for buying local, in-season, Ontario produce during the peak producing months of May through October. The farm market is open 7 days a week and not only carries crops from our working farm, but also meat, dairy and eggs from local producers.

When our farm market isn’t open, we recommend checking out some of these other ‘farm-to-table’ supporters in and around Barrie:

Barrie Farmers Market
The Barrie Farmers Market is open year-round on Saturdays from 8AM-12PM at Barrie City Hall. While local produce is available seasonally, the market features meat, dairy and eggs, baked goods, pantry products like honey, pickles and preserves as well as pre-made fine foods.

Nicholyn Farms
Nicholyn Farms is open year-round and is committed to providing their customers with products that not only contribute to a healthy lifestyle but are also environmentally sustainable. Outside of produce, Nicholyn Farms sells a wide variety of meat, dairy and eggs along with baked good and pantry staples.

Innisfil Farmers Market
The Innisfil Farmers Market is seasonal, but a great option for picking up Barrie Hill Farm’s produce in the South end of Barrie. Our farm fresh produce can be found alongside greenhouse and honey products from Lakeview Gardens.

Farm-to-Table Restaurants

One of the simplest ways to engage with the farm-to-table movement is to choose the restaurants you support carefully. There are some great options in and around Barrie that focus on creating food from seasonal, farm fresh ingredients.

The Farmhouse
The Farmhouse Restaurant serves rustic style comfort food made from scratch with farm fresh ingredients. Open year round, The Farmhouse has an amazing view of Kempenfelt Bay from both dining room and patio.

The North RestaurantChef and owner Marco Ormonde focuses his signature dishes and nightly specials on fresh, seasonal ingredients. This fine dining experience is perfect for a celebration or a romantic evening and will be a meal you can feel good about.

Michael and Marion’s
Focusing on the finest and freshest ingredients that Simcoe County has to offer, Michael and Marion’s is some of the best dining that Barrie has to offer. Throughout the year, don’t be surprised if some of the produce you enjoy here is from Barrie Hill Farms!