It's been close to half a year since we visited Peterborough's farmers' markets. We were wondering how the two markets were doing. They parted ways pre-Covid, each with their own ideas of how a market should run. We started at the old Peterborough Farmers Market at George & Landsdowne.
Brown's Farm is a 4th generation farm from nearby Pontypool. If you've never tried Huckleberry potatoes, go to this market and buy some. Best potatoes ever. 50 lbs. potatoes, a big basket of carrots and 3 large sweet potatoes for $40. That's a lot of good eating for not too much money.
The Salvation Army band was serenading shoppers with Christmas carols this morning.
A blast from the past, Rheally Emu-zing Ranch from Havelock. Russet took classes from me for quite a few years. It was lovely to see that she is still selling prints of pictures she did in my class. Don't you love that fox's eyes? Russet's fall wildflower honey has a complex taste of wonderfulness. A pail went home with us.
The two markets cannot be more different. The Peterborough Regional Farmers' Market has moved within the Peterborough Square Mall. It is now downstairs. Isn't this a welcoming entrance?
Fall produce was in abundance.
This market embraces the arts. And, young folks seem to like to come here.
It was interesting to see that the same vendors were in basically the same spot as they were in their old space. Circle Organics is still at the far end to the left. When Lindsey and I had a market stall eons ago, we learned that rule quickly. Shoppers, once they've started coming to your stall, can't find you if you move. Human nature is funny that way.
What I like about this market is that it feels like an adventure. You can never see the whole market at once. You are always wondering what's around the next corner?
And, around this corner was another favourite honey producer, Otonobee Apiaries. Look at all of those beeswax candles!
Because we don't get to Peterborough as often as we used to, there were other things to be done that can only be done in Ptboro. Needles in the Hay - my mohair supplier. Every mitten needs a little mohair to make it warm and cosy.
Even in black and white, it looks colourful.
Their window was perfect for a reflected selfie.
Peterborough is a scrappy city. Fiesty. There are areas of decay.....
.... and experiments in hope. Beyond that fence is Peterborough's new community of sleeping cabins. We wanted to see them closeup for ourselves, so we went around the corner and....
.... got a bit better view. For the 50 people who now have a roof over their head and a proper bed to sleep in, life might be looking more hopeful.
Better than the folks' lives who've been left behind .... and just around the corner.
This quote reminds me of Peterborough.
“I like the night.
Without the dark,
we'd never see the stars.”
Stephenie Meyer
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