Today we had to go to Milton to drop off a customer's order (about a 30 minute drive)... so I thought, since we are using the gas to go to Milton, we should find a local farm to explore while we are there.
Thus - today's adventure led us to Springridge Farm (www.springridgefarm.com)
I should have known by the fact that the first football field size parking lot was already full that it was going to be kinda stressful.....
walking in... there is a big store (full of beautiful items, pickled items, jams, preserves, etc)
but then to get into the play area (sandbox, mazes, animals) we had to pay $8... :(
the kids were excited but I was already getting anxious as it was a sea of people (lots of little kids, school trips, etc) and I was constantly scanning for mine... especially Biddle (3) who has a tendency to get excited and RUN ....ack.
.it is a really neat place if you are a one adult-one child ratio. this is my opinion. Especially if your kids are under 5.
they DO have GREAT play areas for the kids... tractor rides... hay mazes, etc but we are on a Local Food mission so, while it is a wonderful place to visit, it wasn't the greatest spot for the kind of education I am hoping to share with my kids.
Baby Scribs loved the giant sandbox full of trucks - you go girl!!! <3
I wonder if 50 years ago they had any idea how much $$ they would be making on a daily basis from NON-farm "stuff"
on TOP of the tractor!
sure there are animals BUT they are behind/in cages and you have to pay to feed them... such a difference from our experience yesterday - but all part of the journey.
Biddle actually turned to me and asked "can we get into the cage to see the goats, Momma?" I am GLAD he asked that - because I want it to be the norm to be WITH the animals ...
Biddle said "Momma look at the Leopard Chicken!!!!' bahhaha!!
you could spend a small fortune ...
OK so on to the Epic Fail... it is about 12noon and time to head into the store to buy our LOCAL treats....both kids are starting to lose it and I am stressed out with the crowds.. just too many people for me... we get inside to do a quick browse and buy some local food and there are literally 15+ families in line for the food.... I look down on the ground and there is Biddle on the floor "I'm soooooo hungry" so I grabbed some jars: Strawberry Jam ($7.99 ack), Harvest Salsa ($5.99) and Strawberry Jam Scone Mix (yum) pay for it and half drag the kids to the car... both still starving.
OK - so that DID NOT go as planned. Guess where we stopped on the way home?? :(
SERIOUSLY POOR PLANNING on my part = EPIC FAIL.
This is what we bought at Springridge - will post photos of the scones tomorrow!
ohhh and I got these yesterday at Barrie's Asparagus Farm & Country Market
(sooooo in love with that place!!)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Barries-Asparagus-Farm-Country-Market/188187407892947?ref=ts
moral of the story (in my opinion)... there are ALL kinds of farms... Springridge to me felt like a
"Wal-Mart farm" while there may be a time and a place for Wal-Mart, this family plans to avoid
Wal-Mart as much as possible. Hope you know what I mean....
I loved reading this. So honest and SO TRUE! XX
ReplyDeleteThat place can be really busy- it is expensive for kid's meals as well. However on the eating local point they do prepare meals to go onsite though pricey. Good luck with your journey :)
ReplyDeleteAmy from Edmonton (hi jill!)
Jill, I feel that same way as Springridge. We have only been a couple of times. The first time was just before they began charging admission but you weren't allowed to bring off-site food. As a mom of two small children, I tend to always have snacks with me. After finding a picnic table, I wasn't terribly impressed when told we couldn't eat our food and had to buy the overpriced lunches. I am looking forward to making a trip to Barrie's this summer with the boys.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! I'm so into eating locally and can't wait to read more posts. Isn't it amazing how planning affects how we eat in the western world? There is no drive-through with local, organic salads and yogurt!
ReplyDeleteHey Girl. It's Genevieve from Borealis!! Hope all is well. My Mother and I are holding an info night on all natural cleaning products and more and to get the chemicals out of your house. Melaleuca is a direct marketing company who has been green for 26 years. Call me 519-573-7972 to come to my house Tuesday, October 18th.
ReplyDeleteGenevieve- I also have a contact for organic local produce from a lady I met this summer. She has 2 acres and you pay a lump sum and pick up your veggies one a week and they are awesome.
ReplyDelete