Nutrition Month: Sutton’s wealth of agrotourism activities
As part of March's Nutrition Month, we are highlighting the best and brightest in our community when it comes to healthy eating and food security. This week, we are celebrating our region's rich agri-food heritage, with its enviable diversity and quality of produce.
A great way to discover this richness is to practice agrotourism: would you like to explore Sutton through its food offerings and gourmet pleasures? The Sutton Tourism office provides a printed or downloadable map entitled “Sutton Gourmet Terroir Map“, where you will find a regularly updated list of local farms and businesses that take advantage of our rich agricultural landscape.
Here are four that deserve our full attention as suppliers of quality local products.
Marché de Sutton Market Celebrating 55 years of local products
This season, the Sutton Market celebrates 55 years of providing fresh, local produce to the entire community. One of the oldest markets in Quebec and Canada, it takes place every Saturday from May 17 to October 25, featuring a variety of farms from the Brome-Missisquoi region. With its musical and welcoming atmosphere, it attracts more and more people every year. The Marché de Sutton has become a benchmark for the local origin of its products, from fresh fruit and vegetables to dumplings and ready-to-eat foods, as well as pastries, baked goods, wild mushrooms or artisanal products. For more information, follow Marché de Sutton Market on Instagram or, to reserve a table, send an email to [email protected].
Les Potagers des Nues Mains A legacy of 20 years of organic farming
Located at the corner of Perkins and Alderbrooke roads, Les Potagers des Nues Mains are celebrating 20 years of offering high-quality organic vegetables to the community. Founded by Yan Gordon (a McGill University plant science graduate), this farm has built a solid reputation for its fresh, local produce. Its kiosk, open daily during the growing season, operates on an honor system: the farm relies on your honesty to let you help yourself to the shelves and fridges stocked with freshly picked vegetables, and pay according to the price chart. The kiosk will open for the season on May 17, coinciding with their annual sale of seedlings, vegetables, flowers and herbs. You can also find their products at the Marché de Sutton every Saturday from May 31, as well as at local bagel company Roundtop Bagels, where they stock a fridge all winter long. For more information or to pre-order seedlings, visit Les Potagers des Nues Mains website or follow them on Instagram.
Sugaree Farm A taste of Southern hospitality in Sutton
A little out of town on Macey Road, Sugaree Farm truly captures the essence of agrotourism with its market on Saturdays, which runs from May 8 to the end of October (weather permitting). Here, you can buy not only farm-fresh vegetables, beautiful flowers and a variety of homemade hot sauces, but also enjoy delicious tacos prepared on site with the day’s produce. Nathalie Doucet, accompanied by Texan chef Nick Hodge and their family, offers tacos made on the spot with whatever is ripe in the fields that day. The market is held in the barn, while outside, picnic tables and a beautiful flower garden welcome you. You can relax in the shade of a large butternut tree with a cold beer or thirst-quenching lemonade while enjoying the view, the food and the ambience. Open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., it is the perfect place to enjoy a meal and stock up on quality local produce. Follow Sugaree Farm on Facebook.
La Ferme Verte A must for fresh produce and more
Owned by Sutton resident Lisa Carey, La Ferme Verte is a hidden treasure on Eastman Road in Glen Sutton. Lisa’s greenhouses are filled each spring with flowers, vegetable plants and herbs, making it an excellent place to buy supplies at the start of the season. In addition to plants, La Ferme Verte offers farm-fresh eggs and pork, but you will have to be quick to get your hands on these sought-after products. The farm’s latest specialty is sprouts, available at IGA and supplied to local restaurants such as Tartinizza and La Brouërie. A visit to the farm in spring is an inspiring experience, as you can witness the first buds appear after a long winter. Follow La Ferme Verte on Facebook.