The Farm Boy Difference
Fresh produce arrives at our stores daily, offering excellent value, exceptional quality, and the convenience of a wide selection. Enjoy an array of long-lasting fruits and vegetables that are expertly harvested, produced, and sourced for superior taste. At Farm Boy, we pride ourselves on bringing you the best selection of local produce whenever possible, regardless of the season.
Why Local?
We work with hundreds of local vendors like Slegers Greens, who share our commitment to provide Ontarians with delicious produce that doesn’t compromise on quality. When you purchase local, Canadian, or Canadian-made products, you support a system that uplifts businesses in your own community and beyond. This creates more opportunities to strengthen food security, promote sustainability efforts, and assist in waste prevention. Best of all, you’re able to enjoy many fruits, vegetables, and other foods at their freshest and most flavourful peak. Discover Slegers Greens, a local family farm utilizing the power of greenhouses to grow everything from living herbs to wholesome microgreens. For grocery shopping list inspiration and weekly deals, visit our digital flyer!
A Family Business
Jo and Pauline Slegers have been proudly running their second-generation family farm, Slegers Greens, since 1987 in Strathroy, Ontario. More than just a business, it’s a place where they’ve grown their family, raised their three sons, and joined a supportive, tightknit community. They’ve devoted their lives to producing healthy, greenhouse-grown greens with the help of innovative techniques, expert knowledge, and a dedicated local staff. From delivering their crops to restaurants and grocery stores to running their own farmgate retail location, contributing to the local community is something they value immensely. Be sure to find their high-quality living greens at Farm Boy locations across Ontario!
The Greenhouse Advantage
Greenhouse farming offers numerous benefits, particularly in terms of availability and quality. Crops can be grown year-round in a controlled environment, allowing them to thrive and reach the highest quality possible. Greenhouses also protect plants from environmental threats, pests, and diseases, resulting in greater yields. Additionally, farmers can grow fruits and vegetables that are not native to the region or typically in season. This means more variety for everyone to enjoy!
Certified Organic in 2004, Slegers Greens combines a lifetime of greenhouse growing expertise with top-notch organic standards to create a winning formula. Their products are packed as living plants! Customers can snip, rinse, and enjoy them as fresh as possible from their own kitchens. A true farm-to-table experience from the comfort of your home! For this family farm, creating lasting connections with customers through good food is at the core of its mission.
Fancy Ways to Use These Aromatic Herbs!
Basil
With a slightly sweet, anise-like aroma and minty, peppery notes, basil is a versatile ingredient that works well in both cooked dishes and when enjoyed fresh. Available in many different varieties, it is commonly used in Italian pesto, Thai-style stir-fries, salads, and more. Another way to use this herbaceous green is to pair it with tart beverages or citrusy frozen desserts.
If you’re looking to create a simple yet fancy drink, try adding a few basil leaves and lemon slices to a pitcher of water for a thirst-quenching flavoured beverage. On your next visit to Farm Boy, pick up our Blueberry Basil Iced Tea—it’s the perfect balance of fruity and herbal.
Storage Tip:
Like other soft, leafy herbs, fresh basil can benefit from a little moisture. Simply place your cut basil bouquet in a drinking glass or jar filled with a few inches of water. Though it doesn’t need to be kept in the fridge, keep it away from direct sunlight or heat to prevent wilting and deterioration.
Cilantro
With distinctly earthy, grassy notes, cilantro is often added to dishes to provide a bright, refreshing flavour. It’s especially effective as a garnish, contrasting rich or bold dishes like chilies, curries, grilled proteins, soup-based dishes like Vietnamese pho, or stews.
Another way to utilize cilantro is by imparting its flavour into homemade condiments. Finely chop or blend it with sour cream or yogurt, lemon juice, and seasonings to create a vibrant Mexican-style crema. Alternatively, craft a luxurious finishing oil by blending fresh cilantro and a couple of garlic cloves with high-quality olive oil. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth, and season to taste.
Storage Tip:
Delicate, leafy herbs like cilantro can wilt quite quickly. To help them last longer after being cut, clean them with cool water, gently dry them, trim the stem bottoms, and place them in a glass jar or container filled with a couple inches of water. Then, cover the jar with a clear plastic bag and place it in your fridge.
Parsley
An herb that has a clean, grassy flavour and slight peppery notes, parsley can add a refreshingly bright taste to your meals. From tangy dressings to rich, fatty proteins, it’s often used to contrast strong flavours and bring balance to dishes whether utilized fresh or in cooked recipes.
Try incorporating parsley in meaty burger patty or meatloaf recipes in order to add a touch of colour and freshness. Looking for a vibrant and zesty condiment or salad? Pick up Farm Boy™ Tabouleh! It’s made from scratch daily in small batches for authentic taste that’s excellent in wraps, or with grilled meats, roasted potatoes, and more.
Storage Tip:
Cut parsley stems can be wrapped in a damp paper towel and stored in an airtight container or bag within your fridge. To store on the countertop, place your stems in a jar filled with a few inches of water, and keep them away from direct sunlight or heat.
Thyme
Although thyme is often thought of when it comes to its use in savoury dishes, this slightly minty and peppery herb is incredibly versatile. With notes of lemon and a subtle sweetness, it can elevate cocktails and desserts to new levels of flavour.
Incredibly moist, our Lemon Thyme Loaf Cake is made from scratch in our Bake Shop daily! It marries tart lemon flavour with aromatic thyme to turn a homestyle lemon cake into a gourmet favourite.
Storage Tip:
Thyme is a hardy herb that can last quite a long time fresh but can also be easily dried for later use. To extend its life, wrap fresh sprigs of thyme in a damp paper towel and store in a resealable bag or container in your fridge.
Tasty Ideas
Moist and decadent, our Loaf Cakes are made from scratch daily at our Bake Shop.
Herb-infused finishing oils add delicious aromatics to any dish from grilled meats to pasta!
Fresh parsley is an excellent garnish that helps to balance rich soups or stews.
This Vietnamese noodle soup dish is garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, sweet basil, and more.
Thyme sprigs can subtly impart herbaceous, peppery notes to your favourite beverages.
Fresh basil leaves add a sweet and slightly minty touch to salads, sauces, and more.
Craft your own pesto using fresh basil or pick up one of our house-made Fresh Pestos at the Chef’s Market! They come in delicious varieties like Arugula, Basil, and Vegan.
Make authentic Italian-style meatballs by incorporating chopped parsley into your mix. Enjoy them in pasta dishes, soups, or in a submarine sandwich!
Fresh Herb Salad Recipe
Use Slegers’ fresh herbs and greens to craft a refreshing, crisp, and herbaceous salad. Enjoy it as a bright-tasting appetizer or serve it alongside sandwiches, wraps, or succulent proteins. Customize it by adding seasonal fruits and veggies, nuts and seeds, or the crunchy toppings of your choice. See the full recipe here.
