World's Largest Egg Hunts

Many local farms open their doors for Easter Weekend to provide a fun, memorable experience for local families. From tea rooms with fresh scones and pie, to amazing play structures, baby animals and wagon rides, local farms are serving up great Easter Memories. One of the big events being hosted by many local farms are huge egg hunts. Some egg hunts take place over a huge area, acres and acres of eggs. Other farms will feature a huge egg hunt that lasts a whole week, catering to thousands of visitors. Maybe it's simply hunting for Huge eggs. Each farm has a different experience to serve up, but you can be sure it will be fresh, fun, and fantastic! Learn more about Local Farms or find the farm nearest to your readers, on our website at www.ontariofarmfresh.com

To interview an Easter Farmer call Colleen Pingle, Pingle's Farm Market 905-725-6089;
Leslie Forsythe, Forsythe Family Farms, 905-887-1086

Farm to Palace: Royal Wedding Marmalade

Springridge Farm, an agri-tourism destination focused on excellence in fruit farming and family fun, is pleased to announce the release of its latest product: Royal Wedding Marmalade.

This traditional orange marmalade features a hint of celebratory champagne and is prepared in their farm kitchen. "The main ingredient is Canadian well-wishes", says Laura Hughes, owner of Springridge Farm. "It would be our dream to know that Will and Kate loved our marmalade as much as we loved making it." The unique, limited edition product will be available when they reopen for the season on April, 8, 2011. Springridge Farm is a vibrant, local destination for visitors of all ages to experience seasonal festivals, pick-your-own strawberries, the Fun Farm Yard, school tours, birthday parties and the barn market featuring gourmet products, cafe/bakery and gift boutique. Springridge is proud to be recognized as Milton Business of the Year 2006, Ontario Farm Market of the Year 2006, North American Farm Direct Market of the Year - finalist 2007 and Favourite Tourist Destination 2008-2010.

For further information, including the Royal Wedding Marmalade recipe, or to set-up an interview please contact Niki 905.878.4908

Genuinely Green Weddings

When it comes to green weddings, it really doesn't get any greener than a local farm facility. You wont find a more picturesque wedding decor than what Mother Nature provides in wide open, undeveloped land. Many farms host weddings and offer high-end halls, incredible hospitality and full planning services. Local farms contribute to local sustainable food, they offer clean air with their carbon reducing green spaces and now they offer great green weddings. Many farms have re-purposed large post and beam structures into massive, grand halls, elegant enough to host the most honourable of guests. You can trust your modern farm managers with all the details, and will be shocked at how affordable, how green and how great the wedding of your dreams can be. Beautiful green scenery, fresh air, privacy and polished ambiance all take centre stage at your local farm wedding location. Farm wedding photos are available for download here.

A Dozen benefits for finding your local farm You get the freshest food. period. You can buy groceries without supermarket distractions You can jump into a strawbed and feel giddy again You can pet a lamb and gaze into a donkey's eyes You can cut out the middle men, and buy direct from the farmer You can get the freshest berries for your daiquiri recipe You can learn about the good life and re-connect with the old way You can get unique gifts You can see the sky and smell the tree buds You can have a picnic You can play You form friendships with the people that grow food close to your home

Securing the Future by Visiting a Farm

Many of us have become so distant and removed from the basics of life, that we feel powerless against major shifts in the world. Fuel prices climb as other parts of the world struggle with democracy. Food prices climb as unusual weather wipes out crops in other countries. Our government is constantly talking about the pension fund crisis. It's a tumultuous world, and many average Canadians find themselves feeling very 'insecure' about things they have no control over. There is a way to take charge, and bring back security to your most basic needs in life. Most of us understand that farmers feed cities, but few of us know that many of these farmers invite you to shop directly at their farm. By connecting directly with your local farms, you can cut out all the middle men, all the volatile world systems, and simply buy, fresh, seasonal, local food, directly from the source. Immediately, you will eat better food. Soon, you will get to know the farmers, and you will learn to appreciate the effort of growing food. After a while, you will feel like you side stepped your grocery chain, avoided all their impulse items, and made a fundamental shift for the benefit of your family's future. This Spring, visit your farmers, talk with them, and feel empowered about your ability to provide for your family once again.

Find your local farm a www.ontariofarmfresh.com

"Share" Farm Fresh Food with a CSA

CSAs provide the ultimate in community, good food, and freshness. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and is a growing trend, with many CSAs being closed for new members long before the crops are ready. Many farms have CSA programs in which customers pay an upfront fee prior to the growing season and in return get a "share" in the farm. A share usually translates into a box of seasonal, locally grown produce every week during the harvest season. Many CSAs offer delivery and most farms also provide lists of what to expect each month in your box. They're a good way to experience produce that may be foreign to you and are rewarding to the farmers, too. By receiving payment before the growing seasons, farmers can plan budgets in advance and pay for necessities such as seeds and equipment. These programs also have environmental benefit; because local food doesn't travel far, it reduces carbon dioxide emissions from transportation carriers.

CSA farmer ready to respond to interviews: Cooper's CSA Farm: 905-473-9867 or Thiessen Farms: 905-562-4372

LOCAL FOOD PSAs Please download the high res version of these local food ads. Use it at will to fill paper spaces as we appreciate any coverage you can offer. By connecting consumers directly with farmers in their area, we are able to collectively reduce carbon emmissions, and perhaps more importantly provide local food security for generations to come. Our not-for-profit group is very thankful anytime you can help spread our message.