 | Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! - from The Ottawa Farmer's Market |
 Thanksgiving, a tradition more than 400 years old in Canada, is a special time for farmers. It's also a time for all of us to give thanks for the goodness we've enjoyed from our local farms, gardens and kitchens as the end of the harvest season approaches.Not everyone enjoys the bounties most of us take for granted, however. As regular visitors to the Ottawa Farmers' Market know, each week, the Ottawa Food Bank is on hand to collect donations of both money and food. (Last week, they collected $935.82 in donations--thank you!) With the help of RBC, we are turning up the heat on our efforts this weekend. "Buy Local. Share Local." is a program of fresh-food drives at farmers' markets across the province. During "Buy Local. Share Local." days, market goers are encouraged to purchase an extra portion of fresh Ontario foods to donate to their local food bank. Tough economic times have forced many more people to turn to food banks. The number of families using food banks has increased by 20 per cent in the last year alone. "Buy Local. Share Local." is a campaign of the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) supported by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Homegrown Ontario, Turkey Farmers of Ontario and the Ontario Farm Animal Council. Please give generously. | |
| | Last chance to visit the petting zoo! |
 A favourite for kids and adults alike, the Monalea Petting Zoo will be with us for the final time this season this coming Sunday. The only thing the farm animals like better than getting fed is getting their pictures taken.Why not stop by with the kids? They'll have a blast--and so will the animals! | |
| | Sit down and grab a bite! |
 No need to eat before you head over to the Ottawa Farmers' Market at Lansdowne Park. There's lots of food available on site.Sunday mornings can start with a full breakfast from Bearbrook Farm where they serve eggs, bacon, home fries, juice, pancakes, sausages, coffee and more. Or, how about stuffed French toast from Kathleen's Kitchen or freshly cooked Belgian waffles topped with fruit and whipped cream toppings from our newest food court vendor Waffleman? When you come to the Ottawa Farmers' market, bring your reusable bags--and your appetite! | |
| | Congratulations to this week's winners! |
 Every week we hold a draw for a beautiful gift basket from the Ottawa Farmers' Market. This week's winners are:Duncan Cumming If you'd like to see your name in this spot next week, get on down to the Market and fill out a ballot at the Information Booth!Lisa Greaves Jennifer Wheatley | |
| | Shopping for Thanksgiving dinner? |
 Look no further than Rochon Gardens to fill your vegetable basket. Gerard and Diane's season begins in the spring with crispy green asparagus fresh from the field. From the greenhouses come tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, grown in soil and ripened on the vine for delicious taste. As the season progresses you will find a variety of sweet, juicy strawberries, two kinds of corn, green and yellow beans, and cauliflower in traditional white as well as purple and orange, and broccoli. Looking for something special. Drop by to say hello! | |
| | Quotables |
 "The funny thing about Thanksgiving, or any huge meal, is that you spend 12 hours shopping for it and then chopping and cooking and braising and blanching. Then it takes 20 minutes to eat it and everybody sort of sits around in a food coma, and then it takes four hours to clean it up."Ted Allen Television personality The Food Network | |
