-
justxpete
Aug 21, 2012 06:28 AM
They usually have fresh farm eggs at the Liberty Village Farmer's Market. They have them every week, and they're delicious!
_______________
www.foodnerds.ca›6 Replies-
-
-
re: rwfinley
http://www.mcsmithsorganicfarm.com/pr...
These people are in St. Thomas. I haven't tried their products yet, but am contemplating making an order and driving to St. Thomas from Windsor to visit the farm and pick up some chicken, eggs and anything else that sounds good to me. If you buy anything from them, please report back.
-
re: 1sweetpea
jayt90
Aug 28, 2012 02:59 PM
Those eggs are $4/dozen and the frozen chickens $3.75/lb.
My source at 1516 Napperton, Kerwood, is $2/dozen and $3/lb for meat.
And you can observe the hens eating grubs!
(They are on vacation until Tuesday, but go across the road if you are there, 1603 Napperton, or email www.wrightmanalpines.com )
-
-
-
-
Tried to buy some from a farm north east of Oshawa but the owner said a fox had killed of most of the laying hens--about 3 months ago. So I've been buying them at Costco 18 for the price of 12 at regular supermarkets. I plan to try again this fall to identify a nearby source but frankly so far it would only be out of concern for the chickens and their owners.
-
I know the OP was over a month ago, but now that seasonal farmers' markets are open again, you may be able to buy eggs straight from the farmer at your local market.
I'm in Dundas, but I'm sure you don't have to drive that far. Just ask around a little at your market, and I'm sure you'll find some.›2 Replies-
re: hungryjoanne
I did so just this past week at the Riverdale Farmers Market. A lady there was selling, among other things, farm fresh eggs from her farm for $6/dozen. She was very knowledgeable and spent a lot of time talking to me and answering my questions. She said her hens run around outside as much as possible eating insects, foraging around, etc. All eggs that are not sold at the farm gate (and I think there is a maximum restriction on how many hens you can have when you sell them that way) must be taken to be graded if they are to be sold outside the farm, such as at the Riverdale Farmers Market, and hers were too.
When I said that I was going to do a blind taste test with her eggs and store bought conventional eggs, she replied that the best way to tell the difference was to eat eggs like hers for a couple months and get used to them but then switch back to conventional eggs. In that way she said I would likely taste the difference right away. That seems to make sense, but now that I think of what she said I am thinking that since I have been eating conventional eggs for so long I should notice the difference in her eggs immediately when switching to them?
The last time I did a blind taste test I did not notice the difference. I am going to try it with hers this week.
-
-
-
This topic seems to have diverted a fair bit, but I found another farm that's offering fresh eggs for those in the Caledon/Brampton area.
Kennedy Road and Mayfield, North-East corner, entrance off of Kennedy.
›23 Replies-
-
-
re: Flexitarian
It's the only farm there as the rest is all subdivisions. You can see it from the overhead on Google Maps. You go North on Kennedy from Mayfield and it's on your right. If you hit the 410 overpass you've gone too far. I think there's a big red barn.
I'll try to get a name/number next time I drive or cycle past there.
-
-
-
-
re: 13inches
Finally bought some free range eggs, after a few missteps, at Fiesta Farms. Came from a farm near Alymer and were not excessively expensive--for medium eggs.
But I detected no difference from free run eggs. Both had relatively strong shells but taste seemed very similar to me--a non egg connoisseur.
Still there is something to be said for how the chickens are treated compared to those that produce the usual supermarket eggs.
-
-
re: jayt90
TorontoTips
Jun 16, 2012 11:11 AM
Jay, you seem like quite the expert, so let me ask you:
When I visited the UK, I had the best rich, naturally buttery eggs of my life, and yes, they had that deep orange yolk, not the pale-yellow we normally see from supermarket eggs.
I've read that "european eggs are better" because of the hens, and in other places I've also heard it suggested that great tasting eggs come from pasture-raised hens - with the dark yolks due to grass, insects, feed, etc.
Are the eggs in England/Europe largely pasture-raised, or are their other factors at work here also? (genetics of hens, etc.?)-
re: TorontoTips
The breed really does not matter. It is the food and conditions under which the hens are raised. You can take a commercial white leghorn hen and a heritage breed hen and as long as they are raised under the same conditions, their eggs will be identical. In Europe, the animal welfare standards are different than here, but I don't think all of the hens are raised in a pastured environment. The richest flavour of eggs comes from the hens that can eat a wide variety of food outdoors. This includes grains, plants and many things that move, like insects and even frogs (I've seen it happen).
-
re: TorontoTips
jayt90
Jun 16, 2012 04:58 PM
I haven't been to Europe recently, but I suspect there are lots of old school egg producers, vs. the streamliners in EU headquarters.
Herne, you should look for a bright, almost aggressive flavor from grass and insect fed hens' yolks. It is more intense than pale yolks, and whenever I think the flavor of darker yolks is influenced by my perception, I'm proven wrong as soon as I go back to a pale yolk, where perception equals taste.
Earthygoat has described the farm conditions I look for very accurately. I have two local sources in S.W. Ont., both farmgate at very attractive prices. The one closer to me has enclosed hens and the eggs are not nearly as rich, even in winter, as the other source, grass-pastured at 1516 Napperton Dr., Kerwood.
I am mentioning the address again because the young couple have just processed 20 White Rock grass-pastured roasting hens, for their own use, but I bought one on Wednesday, and suggested they sell some as they're tender and full of flavor. I had to suggest a price, as they had only a butcher's incomplete estimate of their cost, $2/lb. I suggested they follow pricing at www.freshfromthefarm.ca which has Heritage roasters at $5.35/lb. If anyone is west of London, the farm gate eggs and the inspected roasters are worth getting.
-
-
re: jayt90
This is where the eggs came from. Looks like it meets your criteria.
-
re: Herne
Tried 2 more free range eggs and one was close to what has been described by others here. Both had tough shells. One was very much like a supermarket egg. The second was a bit different. It had a darker yoke and a stronger taste. Not really floored by it but it was "better" or at least different.
-
-
re: jayt90
jayt90, you seem to be very informed about great eggs. Looking at your photo, WOW!! that is just how I like my egg to be fried. I am hoping that I can find some orange yolked eggs in the Hamilton area. I am so tired of store bought eggs, they just don't taste like I remember them from Mexico...thanks
-
-
re: paprika485
TorontoJo
Aug 20, 2012 09:55 AM
Ridge Meadow Farms just tweeted that they have eggs at their gate today. They are in Beamsville, so don't know how far you want to drive from Hamilton.
-
-
re: paprika485
TorontoJo
Aug 20, 2012 03:23 PM
I wonder if you realize that the color of the yolks is almost entirely dependent on what the chickens eat? Commercial producers have even been known to add food dye to the feed to make the yolks more yellow/orange.
So the color is not an indicator of the taste. However, in your case, it's quite possible that the chickens that were laying your eggs in Mexico had access to plants or insects that local chickens here don't. Just wanted you to be aware in case you are on a hunt for something that doesn't exist. There will likely be quality eggs here that will not look like what you expect.
-
re: TorontoJo
Hello Jo, I do realize that some producers add a dye to the feed, however, there is a distinct taste that I have tasted here in On. from a farm that no longer exists and the yolks were orange because as you know the plants and insects were a part of their diet. Thank you for the info. but I will further my hunt.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
I recently read in the Star that you can order free range Mennonite eggs from Lazy Daisy cafe (Gerrard at Coxwell) They get their eggs from Alysa Golden and Eggy Weggs. They have a monthly eff depot run by Golden. Eggs are $6.50/dozen and must be pre-ordered (May 14 is next run)
That might save you a drive to the country!
›7 Replies-
-
-
-
re: TorontoJo
jayt90
May 9, 2012 04:49 AM
FFTF's website www.freshfromthefarm.ca says free run, $4.15/dozen, but they would have clarify just what that means. Burnbrae, for example, has a premium 'free run' egg package that is from factory hens on an open floor, probably a grating for sanitation. We might expect better from Mennonite farms, but some photos or information about pasturing would help.
The egg situation in Ontario is not helped much by CEMA or by CFIA who would like all hens indoors to avoid avian flu, a scare that never really developed.
-
re: jayt90
I completely agree with you, jayt90. The marketing boards make it very difficult for any farmer who wants to make a bit of money on raising hens on pasture. Meaning that it is quite hard for consumers to find true, pastured eggs where the hens can roam outdoors on grass. Also, the more hens outside, the more delicious they look to predators, and therefore they are locked up.
My suggestion, not the easiest one, for anyone who wants to find true, free run/pastured eggs is to go on that Sunday drive in the country and either look for those hand made signs, or more often, those hens pecking around outside. There are an amazing number of hobby farmers who have a backyard flock, never advertise, and are overrun with fantastic eggs at this time of year. I can think of a half dozen within a couple of kilometers of me right now. Once you meet this person and build a relationship, you will likely have a source of eggs for quite some time. It just takes a bit of work.
-
-
-
-
re: shocked
I tried the eggs from Eggy Weggs this weekend, and they were amazing. Quite big eggs, and super yellow centres. Easy pick up system too.
Here is the website if you want to be added to their distribution list:
-
-
Looks like I'll be passing by this place next week and the idea of comparing fresh white eggs with range fed eggs leads me to the Farm Gate.
›9 Replies-
re: Herne
jayt90
May 4, 2012 02:14 PM
In my experience farm fresh free range eggs from enclosed barns can be very fresh, but taste inferior to free range hens getting grass, weed seeds and bugs. There is a rich, bright flavor to darker yolks from grasslands, but not many farmers will accommodate this.
-
-
-
re: Herne
jayt90
May 7, 2012 11:57 AM
I'm still recommending Jenny Svetec's farmgate eggs, (north of Oshawa) although you have to call first to avoid disappointment. They also sell eggs at Sick Kids market once every two weeks, but I would call the farm first to see if those are also pastured.
-
-
re: Herne
jayt90
May 7, 2012 03:19 PM
The farmgate eggs may be ungraded. CEMA allows a farm to have 100 unregistered laying hens for ungraded farmgate sales. The graded eggs sold at market have to come from a CEMA registered flock, with a quota or licencing fee on each hen. I don't know where Svetec is on this issue, but I like the free range fowl pasture which I observed last year.
-
-
-
-
-
-
