We are heartbroken to report that raspberry season has abruptly been cut short for now. After countless hours of hard work all year, the bushes are loaded with big delicious berries, but the entire crop has been devastated by a foreign invasive species, despite our best efforts to control them. We're not alone either. You'll likely notice a lack of local raspberries everywhere.
Posted by Millar Berry Farms on Thursday, July 20, 2017
Spotted Wing Drosophila. You've probably never heard of it, and if you saw it you'd likely think it's just a regular fruit fly. But it's not. Whereas regular fruit flies feed on overripe fruit, SWD lays eggs in ripening fruit. By the time the fruit is ready to harvest, it has "collapsed" and is unmarketable. Native to Asia, the SWD first appeared on Canada's west coast circa 2009. Since then, it has been spreading rapidly. Initially, we only noticed damage in our latest raspberry varieties. Worsening every year, this summer we were even seeing damage in our midseason strawberries. While not too severe there, there's about 90% or more destruction of our raspberries, despite weekly applications of sprays registered for the pest.
Our market will remain open with local produce (and our strawberries for another day or 2).
We will reassess our fields in a week or so.
We're hoping that our fall strawberries and raspberries will still be okay.
Thank you for understanding, and we hope we'll still see you out at our market to get your fill of fresh local produce!
9:00am - 5:00pm
9:00am - 3:00pm
9:00am - 2:00pm
*Please note, closing times are maximums, and we may be closed earlier if sold/picked out. Check here or on Facebook for updates, or give us a call!
We can be reached by phone at (519) 652-2065 or email millarberryfarms@gmail.com
*All hours are supply and weather permitting
About Us
We are a second, and now third, generation family farm, supplying South-Western Ontario with quality produce for over 40 years. We have built our reputation on quality and service.Unlike other fruit stands or farm markets, we will NEVER sell strawberries or raspberries that were not grown by us right here on our farm. For our customers' convenience, we do bring in other produce that we do not grow, from nearby farms, but only if they meet our rigorous standards. Our aim is to provide the local community with highest quality produce possible, so you can rest assured that you are only getting the best from our farm. If we wouldn't want to eat it ourselves, we won't sell it!
We are members of the OBGA (Ontario Berry Growers Association), CFFO (Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario), and NASGA (North American Strawberry Growers Association).
Peter and Helen Millar, who founded this farm and are now in their mid and early 90s, respectively, have finally retired, but can be seen around the farm occasionally. Bill, Sylvia, and their son Matt are involved in the day-to-day operation at this time.