Who has the best peaches?

[Arcadiaseeker]

I had my first peach of the summer yesterday - from Loblaws but locally grown. Gave it a 10 out of 10 on texture and juiciness (had to eat it over the sink - sign of an excellent peach) but only a six on flavour (sweet but not peachy enough tasting). My question to CH-ers - where are you finding the best locally grown peaches in the Toronto area?

[gimel]

I got some decent local peaches at Lady York a few days ago.

[alpenglow]

anyone have any suggestions on a good place to pick your own?

[Pharah]

For me the best peaches used to come from my peach tree in my parents' backyard.
Now I usually find the best tasting ones are from either the farmers market (at Square One mall, Mississauga), or Organic Garage's organic peaches. I had one of the organic ones in a pancake yesterday and it was sweet and peachy.

[Kagemusha]

Too much junk fruit from the dwindling number of Niagara growers at Sq 1 for me. A once-good market that's filled up with resellers and iffy produce. It's worth the drive to Hamilton or markets closer to the orchards during peak season.

[MiniMom]

Where in Hamilton are the markets? I am struggling with finding some in Oakville, the d/t one is overpriced and not that much selection. And the road side ones are a bit of a gamble.

[cynalan]

Burlington farmers market at Burlington Mall (Fairview and Guelph Line) on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays often has very good fruit and produce. Picked up some really flavourful strawberries and raspberries over the past few weeks. This week, looking forward to buying some juicy Niagara peachers.

[htownca]

They are currently doing renovations to the Hamilton Farmers Market downtown, its temporary location is inside Jackson Square. It will remain there until the renovations are complete (Fall 2010). All stallholders are operating, and the hours are the same: Tues & Thurs. 7-6, Fri. 8-6 and Sat. 6-6.
There is also the Farmers Market on Ottawa St. in Hamilton...http://www.ottawastreetfarmers.com/

[JennaBean]

Were they freestone by chance?

[millygirl]

I saw some at the local farmer's market last week but didn't buy, they were soooo small.

[wontonfm]

I bought some freestone peaches at the farmers market at SLM today... Delicious!

WON
http://whatsonmyplate.net

[Kagemusha]

Isn't it a bit early? Had good luck last year at Highland Farms. Loblaws would be at or near the bottom of my supermarket list for Ontario fruit.

[Arcadiaseeker]

I was surprised to a) find them this early and b) find local peaches at Loblaws. I think the early heat has lead to some early crops - I bought some early corn at a farmer's market in Prince Edward County on the weekend too (it was very tasty).

[cynalan]

Attended a cooking class at the Good Earth Cooking School in Beamsville on the weekend. They were nearing the end of harvesting peaches. I grabbed a couple off the tree and let them ripen over night. They were juicy and sweet the following day. I've never had such good local peaches in mid July before. Everything is early this year given the warm temperatures experienced in March and April.

-----
The Good Earth Food and Wine Co.
4556 Lincoln Ave., Beamsville (Niagara), ON L0R 1B3, CA

[grandgourmand]

Actually, my wife picked up some early peaches from Loblaws. They were pretty good for this time of the year. Pretty sweet and juicy. About 1000x better than crap you get from CA.

[smfan]

Thiessen Farms at Mel Lastman Square Farmers' Market. THUR 8AM to 1PM. You have to go early.