A sure sign of summer is the sweet smell, taste and sight of Ontario Strawberries, and Barrie Hill Farms is prepared.
The pick your own farm and Market is hosting their annual Strawberry Festival on June 24th and June 25th.
Owner Morris Gervais says with Covid 19 restrictions behind them, this year's festival will feel much more normal.
"It's an exciting time because school is almost over, and when strawberries are here, it means Summer's here too." he says.
The farm is a hidden gem in Springwater and a favourite for people in Simcoe County, focusing on fresh and local produce.
"The unique thing about our farm is that we offer something to pick from May until October. It starts with asparagus and leads through to berries in the summer to beans, apples and pumpkins in the fall." Gervias explains.
If you don't want to pick your own, you can enjoy the convenience of the market, which is freshly stocked with local products.
Gervais adds that "It's all Ontario all the time here. "
"If we can't grow it here, we source from nearby farms," he explains.
" All our carrots, onions, and root vegetables come from the Holland Marsh. In late summer we bring in cherries, peaches and other tender fruit from Niagara. So you can be assured if it's not grown here on the farm, it's not grown far away."
That local philosophy continues beyond produce as the market is filled with meats and treats to satisfy the most serious snacker.
"One of our great partners is Barries Asparagus, just outside of Cambridge. They make specialty asparagus products like salsa, kettle, and tortilla chips." Gervais says.
"We count on our customers to support us and support local food , and we do the same all across the province for other great local companies."
Throughout the two-day strawberry festival, the farm will step up the summertime vibes with live music, magicians for the kids, and great food from their cafe, including strawberry paninis.
You can get more information on Facebook and Barrie Hill Farms
Happy picking!
all images from Barrie Hill Farms via Facebook
