To me, local food has met its perfect pairing with a new two-year pilot program to bring Ontario wines to farmers markets.
Starting immediately, the best wines produced in Ontario will be sold at farmers’ markets across the province. These Vintner’s Quality Alliance (VQA) wines are growing in popularity and this new program gives consumers the opportunity to match their local food with local wines.
Read more at RealAgriculture.com (http://www.realagriculture.com/2014/04/local-food-wine-convergence-great-opportunity-ontario-farmers/)
The current list of confirmed farmers’ markets to sell VQA wines is as follows:
Aylmer Farmers’ Market (Start Date: May 6) – Quai Du Vin
Grand Bend Farmers’ Market (Start Date: May 21) – Quai Du Vin
Covent Garden Farmers’ Market (London) (Start Date: May 8) – Quai Du Vin, Tawse (start date: May 10)
Masonville Farmers’ Market (London) (Start Date: May 9) – Quai Du Vin
Farmers’ and Artisan Market (London) (Start Date: May 10) – Quai Du Vin
Horton Farmers’ Market (St. Thomas) (Start Date: May 10) – Quai Du Vin
Willow Springs Winery is one of the VQA wineries in Ontario, and is located in Stouffville. Photo from www.willowspringswinery.ca
Woodstock Farmers’ Market (Start Date: May 3) – Quai Du Vin
Stratford Farmers’ Market (Start Date: May 3) – Quai Du Vin
St. Lawrence Farmers’ Market (Toronto) (Start Date: May 3) – Southbrook
Evergreen Brickworks (Toronto) (Start Date: May 3) – Tawse, 13th Street, Stratus, Southbrook, Cave Spring, Reimer, Hardie, Flat Rock
The Wychwood Barns Farmers’ Market (Toronto) (Start Date: May 3) – Southbrook, Stratus
Brampton Farmers’ Market (Start Date: June 21) – Cornerstone
Missisisauga Square One Farmers’ Market (Start Date: June 1) – Cornerstone
Hamilton Mountain Farmers’ Market (Start Date: June 1) – Cornerstone
Junction Farmers Market (Toronto) (Start date: May 21) – Tawse
Slow Food Perth County Market (Stratford) (Start date: May 4) – Tawse
Burlington Mall Farmers’ Market (Start date: June 1) – Puddicombe
Grimsby Farmers’ Market (Start date: May 29) – Flat Rock
Ottawa Street Farmers’ Market (Hamilton (Start date: June 7) – Flat Rock
Dufferin Grove Organic Market (Toronto) (Start date: May 8) – Reimer
Toronto Botanical Garden Organic Farmers’ Market (Start date: May 15) – Reimer
The Covent Garden Farmers’ Market in London is one of the markets now selling VQA wines. Photo from www.ontariossouthwest.com
For more information on VQA wines and wineries in Ontario, visit www.vqaontario.com.
