• The average food item in North America travels 1300 to 1500 miles from farm gate to plate, compared to the typical 100-mile market distance (and actually at the Caledon Market it's less than half that)
• Ninety percent of the fossil-fuel energy used up in world food production goes toward transportation, storage, packaging and marketing; production only accounts for 10%
• Imported food isn't subject to the stringent environmental standards applied to Ontario farms. Imported produce often relies on heavy chemical spraying to create uniform-looking crops, leaving a questionable environmental footprint on earth, air and water quality
• Produce may be over 2 weeks old by the time it reaches the grocery store, greatly increasing food wastage. The same produce found at a farmers' market is likely to be two days young or fresher 
• Packaging waste in the supermarket food chain is commonplace, as a simple change in specifications means throwing out an entire packaging stock. Needless to say, over-packaging is not a concern at the local market
• Farmers' markets promote environmentally sound, sustainable farming practices by supporting small family farmers. Family farmers eat what they grow and strive to minimize the use of chemicals and sprays

We are fortunate, at the Caledon Farmers' Market, to have vendors selling the highest quality products whether food or crafts. In each newsletter we'll feature three of our vendors, for their full bio "in their own words" please click their name/business name.

The Biscotti Shoppe is an on-line store with a conscience. We bake biscotti but not just any biscotti. Our biscotti are made of organic spelt that is grown locally! If we can't find an ingredient locally we try to make the best decisions possible based on the options available. For example we can't buy local chocolate, so we make sure we buy organic fair trade chocolate. Our Artisan biscotti are made without refined ingredients, additives or preservatives and baked on natural stone.
www.thebiscottishoppe.ca 

  

The passion for farming for Vince and Maria came a long time ago in a little village in southern Italy. In 1970, they decided that it was time for a change. Vince and Maria moved to Canada where Vince's career took a different turn to landscape and design, while Maria was a stay at home mom to raise their three children. Always looking back at his days as a farmer, Vince decided that it was time to re-ignite that spark. In 2002, Vince and Maria purchased some land to grow a variety of crops. Today they are proud farmers growing everything from peppers to pumpkins in Brampton, Ontario.

Visit my booth at the Caledon Farmers' Market for a wide selection of ladies beaded jewellery, featuring sterling silver, Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, vintage brass and semi-precious beads like turquoise, onyx, coral, citrine, amethyst, peridot, garnet and much, much more.  Aspiring young jewellery designers can try their hand at one of my "Make Your Own" bracelet stations.