Come Along for a Fresh Taste-of-Place

With spring almost here, our connection to the land is emerging again. With warmer days on the horizon, abundance is coming quickly. In the meantime, getting to know some great farmers and food artisans to experience Northumberland’s unique “taste-of-place” is a great first step. I truly hope you enjoy reading about (and later searching out) these fine Northumberland treats.  

A great place to start is in the In the east end of the County in Brighton. Popham Lane Farm is the project of “retired” air force vet, Joe Hayes and his wife Priscilla. Now in his seventies, Joe thought it would be fun to transform his small acreage down by the water into black currant farm. Why not? We are grateful since his product is remarkable.

As a family, we prefer Popham Lane’s black currant spread as it has all the flavour, but without all the sugar. My four-year-old daughter can’t get enough of the stuff, whether on toast, pancakes or on a spoon. The shop is located in their garage, and the dynamic Hayes duo are the masters of hospitality. You’ll stop in for some currants, but leave with a couple of new friends. If you happen to read this in the off-season, check this link to see where you can find Popham Lane preserves.

In the same part of Northumberland County, another go-to for me is Cheer Farms. They make the most fantastic strawberry jam from their own strawberries. Cheer Farms operates a wonderful open-air market showcasing a ton of their own produce, fresh baked goods and preserves. They open in May but, if you are reading this earlier, you can pick up their jams in many local shops such as Millstone Bread in Cobourg. 

Headed straight up Highway 30, we’re making a stop in Warkworth at Cramahe Hill Marmalade. It was started as a project by a local nurse practitioner, Samantha Dalby. Meant for fun, it was just that. But then Samantha entered a couple of her products in world championships and WON! People found out and wanted some of her award-winning marmalade for themselves. Her good friends at Our Lucky Stars Café in Warkworth decided they wanted in on it too. Together they made “Golden Barista Marmalade” – a great blend of citrus with the perfect hit of Our Lucky Stars organic, fair trade espresso.

Other Cramahe Hill Marmalade varieties (which you can also find online) include “Oh, Canada” which won silver at The World’s Original Marmalade Awards in Cambria, UK in 2020. It’s been described as having “a gorgeous, bitter sweet flavour with vanilla and juniper berry.” It also includes Warkworth’s True Saffron and Canadian Ungava gin –  the result another distinctly-Northumberland marmalade.

Just out of downtown Warkworth you can find Glover’s Farm Market. Since the late 1990s, the Glover Family has been feeding the folks of Trent Hills. The freezer is stocked with their own Black Angus beef. For those evenings when BBQs will be in full use, be sure to stop in and grab a couple of steaks. Other Glover’s freezer specials include smoked bone-in ham and prime rib roast. Savoury quiches and fun, special occasion cookies have also made Glover’s a go-to on any drive within Trent Hills. 

Northumberland has a number of fantastic breweries and cideries that can be found on the Cheers Tour here . But for something that both foodies and the youngest family members can enjoy, think Pomarium Renaissance .

Pomarium Renaissance is a non-alcoholic crafted juice that pairs well with a wide variety of foods, and can also be thoroughly enjoyed on its own. Farmers Anne Varangu and husband Paul Kurelek are behind this sophisticated juice, having spent 30 years perfecting their crabapple trees. Pomarium Renaissance is made from a blend of crabapples from their own experimental farm in the hills of Grafton. The fruit is handpicked and the juice blended. The result is a remarkable, complex flavour and tremendous versatility. This non-alcoholic crabapple beverage is very worthy of serving at any fine meal. It’s distinctive red colour makes it visually appealing in any stemmed glass.

You can pick some up at their farm located on Highway 2, just West of Grafton, or at Food Inspired in Port Hope, Findings on King in Colborne, or Sunflower Health Shop & Services in Brighton.

If you’d rather not get out on the road, Northumberland Goods and Services will deliver it to your door. And that brings me to another important point. Now that you know some of the stories (and faces) behind these top products, you can check out this local comprehensive website for more than 300 vendors and 1,000 products from across Northumberland County.

By Jeff Bray