Cambridge, Ont. asparagus farm sees push to buy local as busy season gets underway

Spring has sprung and fresh produce lovers have another option to add to their plates. CTV’s Spencer Turcotte reports.

Spring has sprung and Ontario’s growing season is kicking off with one of the province’s earliest harvests – asparagus.

Seeing the sparrowgrass poking up from the ground never gets old for third generation asparagus farmer David Barrie of Barrie’s Asparagus Farm & Country Market.

The spears have him smiling from ear to ear even more this year because the tough winter, which saw lots of snow, is good for this crop because it means more moisture.

“I could almost say it’s our happy time because if you grow a crop and you can’t sell it, what’s the use?” he said.

The happiest time is short-lived and lasts just a couple of months. But fourth generation asparagus farmer Tim Barrie said it couldn’t come at a better time.

“The demand for fresh Ontario asparagus has never been stronger,” said Tim. “Customers are coming in and saying, ‘Do you sell a lot of Canadian stuff here?’ We say, ‘Well we sell all Canadian.’”

Fresh Ontario asparagus is exciting for restaurants and caterers too.

“Chef D just picked some of this up for his catering. Some is going to the Boathouse,” said Tim.

One of the people responsible for getting the valuable product to local businesses and eventually people’s plates safely is fifth generation farmer William Barrie.

“We’re delivering a product that’s fresh right out of the field. There is no spray,” said William. “Probably the best part is just how happy people are.”

That goes for people like loyal customer Chris Mcleod.

“I came here the very first time with my mother-in-law. I think I was about eight years old. She wasn’t my mother-in-law yet,” she said, laughing.

Mcleod hasn’t stopped coming back, especially now with the push to buy Canadian.

“I’m trying to buy local, and this is a really easy place to buy,” she said. “We just don’t run out of asparagus until the season is over.”

But when that season is finally over, Mcleod certainly misses it.

“Oh, I dream about asparagus all winter long,” she said.