Posted : September 8, 2022
Our blog is chock full of great ideas for fun things to see and do in York Durham and Headwaters. We are always adding new content and updating old posts, but sometimes you might stumble upon something from our vault. If this article has inspired you to hit the road, be sure to double-check that the featured stops in this post are still welcoming visitors.
Supporting local is important now more than ever. As more folks are wanting to educate themselves on where their food comes from, we are seeing more ways of supporting our farmers crop up – and York Region is no different thanks to York Farm Fresh!
What is York Farm Fresh exactly? This association helps connect customers in the community to local food, beverages and products from local farms and farmers markets right in York Region. Run by a board of volunteer members since 2017, they are here to connect people like you and me to local food sources, farm gates and farm experiences close to home. The fine folks at York Farm Fresh are farmers themselves or those committed to promoting local farming because without farmers, there would be no food. And with over 5.7 million people in the GTA alone… that’s a lot of mouths to feed!
We all deserve to enjoy top quality produce, meats and goods so what better way to do just that than by going right to the source? Not only are we protecting valuable farm land by supporting these hard working families but many stops offer additional activities that make it a fantastic outing for the whole family!
Every year, York Farm Fresh releases a Guide Map outlining all of the participating farms. You can grab yours either in print from a participating stop, online on their website or even through their mobile app! What’s even better is that the Guide Map is now offered in seven different languages – simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, French, Persian, Russian, Tamil and Urdu. York Region is certainly multicultural and York Farm Fresh is thrilled to reflect that by offering these languages so that newcomers to Canada can experience all of the fresh farm eats and treats the area has to offer.
This year, their Passport to Fresh program offers six routes each with unique stops throughout York Region. Route A is situated in Vaughan as you meander the rolling hills of Nobleton in King Township. Route B will take travellers from King City to “Ontario’s Bread Basket” aka the Holland Marsh. Beginning in Markham, Route C winds through Whitchurch-Stouffville to the fetching fields of East Gwillimbury and Newmarket. Route D starts in East Willimbury’s Mount Albert and heads north through Georgina to the shore of Lake Simcoe. With Route E, you’ll get a little taste of neighbouring Durham Region as the route takes you east of Mount Albert. Last but certainly not least, Route F is located just north of Toronto’s Steeles Avenue as you travel through the fertile farmlands of Whitchurch-Stouffville.
The best part is that these routes require less than an hour of driving time to visit all the stops, making it a delicious day trip or the perfect way to spend an afternoon in York Region! Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the 70+ wayfinding signs across the region to help you get to your York Farm Fresh destinations.
Here’s a list of each of the participating stops sorted by route to help you plan your York Farm Fresh adventure!
Route A
Robintide Farms – 2720 King-Vaughan Road, Vaughan
Campagna Farm – 2110 Jane Street, Maple
Sandy’s Farm and Garden Centre – 4283 King-Vaughan Road, Woodbridge
Mill Valley Farm – 12740 Mill Road, King City
Pioneer Brand Honey and Maple – 5815 15th Sideroad, Nobleton
Providence Hill Farm – 7770 16th Sideroad, King Township
Round the Bend Farm – 16225 Jane Street, Kettleby
Route B
Pine Farms Orchard – 2700 16th Sideroad, King City
Black Forest Garden Centre – 15445 Keele Street, King City
Holland Marsh Wineries – 18270 Keele Street, Newmarket
Fresh Veggies at 60 Aileen – 60 Aileen Avenue, Newmarket
Marques Family Farm – 365 King Street, King Township
Homestead Farm Eggs – 983 Graham Sideroad, Newmarket
Route C
19th Avenue Farmer’s Market – 2931 19th Avenue, Markham
Circling Hawk Farm & Meadery – 13433 Leslie Street, Richmond Hill
Strawberry Creek Farm Market – 17471 Woodbine Avenue, Newmarket
Sharon Orchard Farm Market – 18359 Woodbine Avenue, Sharon
Sharon Creek Farm – 18805 2nd Concession, East Gwillimbury
Howard’s Farm – 19301 2nd Concession, East Gwillimbury
Route D
Thompson Potato Farm – 19228 McCowan Road, Mount Albert
AE Natural Meats – 19619 McCowan Road, Mount Albert
Holtrop Family Farm – 23091 Woodbine Avenue, Keswick
Cloverhill Flowers – 2554 Old Homestead Road, Georgina
Clearwater Farm – 1614 Metro Road North, Willow Beach
Homestead Orchards – 3961 Old Homestead Road, Sutton
Hutching’s Farm – 8923 Morning Glory Road, Pefferlaw
Route E
Rose Family Farm – 17569 Centre Street, Mount Albert
Niemi Family Farm – 18463 Highway 48, Mount Albert
The Giving Place – 19618 York-Durham Line, Mount Albert
Brooks Farms – 122 Ashworth Road, Mount Albert
Staite’s Honey – 244 Ashworth Road, Zephyr
Cooper’s CSA Farm – 266 Ashworth Road, Zephyr
Route F
Judy’s Tropical Garden – 7297 Reesor Road, Markham
Reesor’s Farm Market – 10825 Ninth Line, Markham
Applewood Farm – 12416 McCowan Road, Stouffville
Belicious Products – 4346 Jesse Thomson Road, Stouffville
King Cole Ducks – 15351 Warden Avenue, Stouffville
Simpson Family Farms – 15152 Highway 48, Stouffville
As for what’s coming down the pipeline, York Farm Fresh is planning on releasing a new and improved version of the app next year with increased search capabilities to make it more user friendly. Be sure to follow along on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram for more details and to stay up to date on what produce is in season!
Story by Lindsay Davies
Lindsay Davies is a crazy Canuck who’s been bit by the travel bug. Proud to call Ontario home, she loves exploring the province and beyond. As a graphic designer and social media marketer by trade, she travels the world while sharing her adventures to inspire others on her blog, I’ve Been Bit! When not behind her computer screen, Lindsay is in her natural habitat when she’s chasing waterfalls, exploring new trails, frolicking on ice roads (don’t knock it until you try it!), and indulging in the odd glass of wine, beer, or cider. Chances are you’ll be able to spot her by some funky coloured hair or a wacky pair of tights she’s wearing! Follow her adventures on Facebook (@ivebeenbit), Twitter and Instagram (@IBBtravel).
