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The Ottawa Citizen / Wednesday, December 12, 2001
Column: Gay Cook / Source: Citizen Special
Organic
food is hot these days. Not only are people talking about
it, but they want to buy organic products in places that are
convenient to find.
This doubtless
explains why some major supermarket chains have jumped on
the bandwagon by offering an organic line of foods.
With Christmas
dinner just around the corner, you may find organic ingredients
at some supermarkets.
And at
the Ottawa Organic Farmer's Market, open every Saturday from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., you may find frozen turkeys or chickens.
Home delivery may be available. Fresh poultry can be ordered
from Debbie DeCooman, who also offers fresh ciders.
Lamb and
pork is sold by Gary Clover. Fresh vegetables come from Bryson
Farms -- multi-coloured carrots, potatoes, heirloom tomatoes,
even 100 varieties of salad greens.
Also look
for freshly baked organic wheat breads, and gluten-free spelt
and millet-flax breads from bakeries including Little Stream
Bakery. Other organic products are olive oil, cold-pressed
flax seed oil, Christmas cakes and cookies.
The market
is at Ecole Parsifal School, 1644 Bank St. To get there, follow
the lane just south of the Canadian Tire Gas Bar near Heron
Road and Bank Street.
It's unfortunate
the market is so difficult to find. Surely these producers
need a more convenient home.
"I
have a vision that we'll have a secure and permanent spot
some day soon as I would like to see the market grow, offering
more diversity -- from mushroom vendors outside to vendors
with refrigerated fresh meat. But we don't want to compete
with the Byward Market," says Art Ketting, spokesman
for the organic market.
Philip
Powell, Byward Market administrator, recognizes the growing
popularity of organic products. He says it's natural for the
city's market staff to help accommodate it.
"People
can't find us and we are the only farmers' market that is
open year-round," says Graham Beck of the Little Stream
Bakery. "I would like to see the market open more days
because people are searching for quality, nutritional food."
For details,
call Mr. Ketting, 256-4150.
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