By Norman Moyer, President, The Lowertown Community Association
This summer Markets Ottawa will begin the revival of the ByWard Local Farmers Market. The York Street local farmers’ market will be limited to Saturday mornings, but if that succeeds, we can build from there. When the Lowertown Community Association surveyed its followers last May, they indicated that the revival of the farmers’ market was their top priority. This summer will be our chance to support the farmers in the best way possible: by buying their wonderful, fresh produce.
The LCA will partner with the ByWard farmers’ market to promote, celebrate and support local farm products. Come to buy and come to learn about the best local produce to eat now and to preserve. On selected Saturdays the LCA will sponsor harvest cooking events matching the great chefs of Lowertown with local farmers in events that will show people how to select, prepare and preserve local products. We have the chance to learn more about using local products and, at the same time, re-establish the brand identity of Lowertown/Byward as the food and cuisine hot spot in Ottawa.
No city in Canada has as much agricultural land within its boundaries. New generations of farmers are experimenting with better ways to bring high quality food to market. The ByWard Market is the iconic home of this meeting of food producers and food buyers. The past year of pandemic has underlined for all of us the need to decrease our dependence on imported food. This year can start the trend to local food. The Lowertown Community is ready to support this.
Here are a few of the activities this summer when you come to buy your local produce at the farmers’ market:
Hascaps: Do you know about the wonderful berry that competes with blueberries for taste and versatility but arrive at the market from local farmers a month ahead of blueberries. Come down to the ByWard Market on a Saturday morning in late June or early July (exact date depends on the weather) and learn how to use them and preserve them.
Eggplant: The vegetables are enjoying a real renaissance as Canadians become more familiar with Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern cooking. In late July when they are abundant in local fields and can come fresh to the market still warmed by the sun, come learn some new recipes and suggestion about menus and wine matching.
July, August September: sweet corn, beans, and squash. Learn how these “three sisters” sustained the first nations of Canada.
September: leeks, beets, apples
September\October a harvest feast event to pull it all together
Let us know if you have a favourite local product that you would like to see highlighted in one of our Saturday events. Send your suggestions to info@lowertown-basseville.ca.
Look for more details in the next issue of the ECHO and on the social media sites of the LCA and Markets Ottawa.