Forget trying to predict the weather and think about great wine! This weekend is “Sip Into Summer” celebrations at wineries in our region and this year’s theme is “Sizzlin’ BBQ Sippers”. While 2 days might not be enough to visit them all, you can pick a few to visit discover what each one is offering as part of this annual event.

• Colchester Ridge Estate Winery will be featuring Sailor’s Delight Sangria made from 2007 Red Sky at Night, as well as a Strawberry Ice Margarita made with  2008 Gewurztraminer Ice Wine! Thai Palace will be on site serving delicious food to pair with your tastings! The retail store will feature a two-bottle gift box which includes their 2007 Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon and 2009 Sauvignon Blanc for $30/set. Adjusted hours of 1pm to 4pm on Sunday.
• D’Angelo Vineyards Estate Winery will offer picnic inspired food and wine pairings. Enjoy a variety of fresh deli meats, cheeses, antipasto, artisan bread & paninis prepapred by Amherstburg’s famous Romano’s. Enter a draw for your chance to win a basket featuring D’Angelo wines, perfect for your next picnic. Cost is $5.00/pp. Organizers are also accepting donations for the “Jumpstart Student Nutrition Program of Windsor/Essex”.
• Mastronardi Estate Winery will be offering Spicy Portuguese BBQ Pulled Pork on freshly baked Ciabatta bread for $5. Sangria is available by the pitcher. Wine and Sangria also by the glass. Live entertainment by Trish Wales. Their Sangria is now in bottle and can be purchased in the retail store! Complimentary wine tastings will be offered in our wine boutique. Participating on Saturday only.
• Muscedere Vineyards will celebrate the official launch of their 2010 white wines & debut their outdoor wood-burning oven. Chef Paul Sauve (from the soon to open Take Five Steak & Bistro) will be preparing artisan pizzas, mini sliders & Italian sausage for you to enjoy on the patio or under the gazebo.
• Pelee Island Winery will showcase “Fine Art Fine Wine” with artisans and wine sampling, free tours, live entertainment and a BBQ (proceeds go to charity).
• Sanson Estate Winery will have the BBQ on so you can try some all-natural meat products and organizers have planned a delicious array of in-store samples of local food and wine. In-store deals (like amazing wine specials!) will be the feature.

“Sip Into Summer” is hosted by participating Southwestern Ontarion Vintners Association members but non-members will also be open at the same time and will be offering their “take” on the event.

When:  Saturday, May 28 & Sunday, May 29 (12pm to 5pm)

Cost:  Varies by winery

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If you talked to any farmers in our area lately then you know that there is a delay in crops, vineyards, etc.

Today Foodland Ontario released this announcement:

We’ve received an update about Ontario Strawberries from the Ontario Berry Growers Association!

“We expect a low volume of Ontario Strawberries in approximately 2 weeks or early June with the bulk of the crop arriving around June 20th. The crop is behind in the south and southwest and close to normal east of Toronto.”

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The Riverside Farmers, Arts, Crafts & Flea Market opens Sunday, May 29.

Now in it’s third year, the market has expanded to offer more crafts and flea market items.

The event runs every Sunday from 8.00AM -3.00 PM in the parking lot of the Riverside Sportsmen’s Club (10835 Riverside Dr. E.).

Vendor Inquiries please call Kim at (519) 903-0318.

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The Amherstburge Farmers’ Market is also open and the Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market opens on Saturday, June 11 from 8am to 1pm.

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The Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market opens on June 11 and organizers are looking for more farmers to bring fresh, local and seasonal foods to the city.

The market has enjoyed great success since its start in 2009 and hopes to grow more each year.
“We have created a gathering place in the heart of the city,” says the market’s chair, Natalie Bownes. “We see many families and individuals from across the city making the market part of their Saturday routine. People are eager to meet local farmers and easily access local food. We hope that new farmers will join us to share in the success of another year.”

The Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market is intended to showcase “home-grown” and “hand-made” products. Specifically, the market aims to attract local agricultural growers and dealers, talented artisans and crafters, specialty prepared food vendors, bakers, meat vendors and others.

Volunteers have been meeting since January to ensure that the 2011 season is another great success.

Producers and vendors interested in participating in the upcoming Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market season need to apply as soon as possible. A vendor package that breaks down pricing and rules is available online at www.downtownfarmersmarket.ca

The Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market will be held on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm from June 11 to October 8 at 44 University Avenue East (the former Greyhound bus station).

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Susan Walker is trying to get local beekeepers connected about local news and events, “Many beekeepers in the area miss meetings about such topics as the small hive beetle problem because there is no good way to contact us all. I am trying to form an email group to solve that.”

Those interested should email WindsorEssexBeekeepers@hotmail.com

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Now that Trusty Food to You is on its way to Muskoka, they have left us with a list of the farmers and producers that they helped promote here. Enjoy!

Meat & Fish

Wild Acre Cattle Co.     (Black Angus Beef)      sold at Woodslee Mini Mart      (Tom owns both business’)          call Tom or Kelly at the Mini Mart    (519) 975-2187

Jason Hicks       (Lamb, Pork, Chicken, Eggs, Grass Fed Beef)         cell   (519) 999-5561

Dockside Fisheries       (perch, pickerel, bass, trout, etc)            Heather Adragna  (519) 733-5550   heathadragna@hotmail.com    Heather also made the ravioli’s

Heat n Eat  Items

Jody Goslin    (Chicken Pies, Meat Pies)        (519) 736-8545    jgoslin@cdpwise.net

Pur Eh     (perogies, lasagna, pureed vegetables)       Sue Meunier   (519) 903-5079  suemeunier@cdpwise.net

Bread and Flour

Specialty Bakery   (fresh breads, buns, deserts)   located in the Windsor Market Square ctodd1@sympatico.ca

Fruit & Vegetables

Nickels Orchard   (apples, pears, peaches)                      Rose Nickels  (519) 919-3702

Fruit Wagon    (raspberries, apples, pears, peaches)      visit roadside stand on Cnty Rd.50

Bradleys Potatoes     (potatoes of many varieties, sweet potatoes)    Brian Bradley  (519) 999-6386

…. For other produce, please visit Amherstburg Farmers Market or your nearest roadside stand

Additional Items

Lakeside Packing    (various Pickle varieties, pasta sauce, salsa, hot peppers, etc)       (519) 738-2314

Vidmar Funghi       (Mushrooms, Cremini & Portabella)    (519) 736-8080  ext. 222 for Packaging Dept

Tortilla Leamington    (tortillas baked fresh daily)       (519) 322-5163

Soaps By Sonia      (handmade soaps, lotions, lip balms)      Sonia   soapsbysonia@cogeco.ca 

Robinson’s Maple Products     (organic maple syrup, maple butter/mustard etc)   Sue (519) 529-7857

Sartaj Flour (Chana Foods)    (stone ground flours)        (519) 979-1263

Dresser’s Honey    (unpasteurized honey)        Kevin  (519) 977-4416

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Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Chatham-Kent map
Launch – Thursday, May 12th, 2011
@ Sunshine Asparagus, 30043 Jane Rd, Thamesville, ON.

The Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Chatham-Kent maps are printed and available.  We will launch the “3rd Edition” of the Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Map on Thursday, May 12th, 2011 @ Sunshine Asparagus, 30043 Jane Rd, Thamesville, ON, from 1-3 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to come out meet some of your local producers and pick up a free copy of the Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Chatham-Kent map.  The free maps are also available at the local libraries, municipal service centres, and at a variety of local businesses.

Due to the time of year and challenge with weather many of our local producers will be busy on their farms tending to their crops and may not be in attendance at the May 12th, kickoff.  However, we are very optimistic that this wet spring is leading us into a very productive growing season.  Please be kind to your community and the environment and buy local.

Donations towards the Chatham-Kent food bank will also be accepted at the Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Chatham-Kent launch on Thursday, May 12th.

For more information please contact Kent Federation of Agriculture at 519-674-1500 ext 63595 or kent@ofa.on.ca

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       The Kent Federation of Agriculture (KFA) is again offering two scholarship opportunities.  Realizing the importance of post secondary education in the agriculture business the KFA is pleased to offer two scholarship opportunities.

       Each scholarship will be for $1,000 and each recipient must be from the family of an Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) member in Chatham-Kent – which equates to a KFA member.  There are approximately 2,000 KFA members in Chatham-Kent.   Students must be enrolled in an agriculture related post secondary program.  Students may be entering their 1,2 3 or 4th year of any agriculture related program.

       Application forms are available from the KFA office.  Deadline for application form remittance is August 31st, 2011.  The KFA scholarship selection committee will evaluate all applications.  For more information or for an application form please contact any KFA board member or the KFA office at 519-674-1500 ext 63595 or email kent@ofa.on.ca

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