ABOUT US
Front Step Farms aims to grow food crops while producing value added products by utilizing the most sustainable and efficient technologies in our possession to preserve the health and integrity of our planet and its inhabitants.
Our farm was started on a humble note of passion and a love for the land. Co-founders Sukyi and Michael obtained some land in Vaughan and manually planted a pumpkin patch for retail sales. The reception towards the pumpkin patch was warm and welcoming, with ample support from the community. Michael and Sukyi progressed over the course of the next 4 farm seasons, working hard to grow different crops, while responding to community demand for great produce. A new sense of determination, vision and opportunity lead to transition farm operations to Bathurst Street, from Dufferin Street. The original Dufferin farm continued to grow crops like corn and pumpkins, while diversification of farm production started to initiate on Bathurst. Customers within the neighboring communities flocked to fresh new crops like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, raspberries and herbs. Shortly after, Sukyi and Michael replanted part of themselves in their hometown of Niagara on the lake by starting the cultivation of fruit like peaches, pears, plums, and apples.
The soil contributes to the health of the food, and the food determines the outcome of our own existence. This philosophy drives the motivation behind Front Step Farms daily projects and yearly goals. We grow ingredients that are viable for our community supported agriculture program, while still aiming to support other local farmers in the community that share the farm’s values and mindset. Every effort is made with regards to transparency and source of production when speaking of all crops and value added products. Front Step Farms separates itself from the rest of the farming community by being objective growers. Value is placed on logic more than personal feelings surrounding “food philosophy” within our growing efforts. We grow food and use practices that, both us as farmers, and the public as consumers, can agree is safe, sound, and smart. We don’t believe in the superiority of conventional or organic culture, when comparing organic food and conventional food.
MISSION
HISTORY
HOW WE GROW
LOCATION
We are located at 11490 Bathurst Street, Maple (Vaughan) Ontario, L6A 1S2
On the southwest corner of Bathurst and Gamble, 4 stop lights south of King Road, 2 stop lights north of Elgin Mills Road.
PROGRAMS
Become a member of our weekly harvest box program and nourish your family while saving money. Front Step Farm’s weekly harvest box program allows members of surrounding communities to access the freshest possible products when they are locally available. By joining the program, you are asked to commit a predetermined amount of money in exchange for a guaranteed weekly box of harvest bounty. Every week the produce and value added products will alternate, and will be a reflection of seasonal availability in Ontario and on our farms. We also make every effort to understand the wants, needs, and limitations of our memebers with regards to food products. For this reason, please feel free to discuss allergies or food intolerances with us.
Bathurst Street Farm: Our main retail farm gate, market garden distribution hub. Many weekly events, seminars, education workshops, etc., take place throughout the season.
Dufferin and Teston Pasture Farm: Another retail hub where we grow things like pumpkins, squash, and provide fall themed Halloween entertainment.
Keele Street King City Farm: Our future home farm.
Jane Street Farm: Not open to the public.
Virgil Fruit Farm: A beautiful property near Niagara on the lake. We grow peaches, pears, plums apricots and apples for retail and wholesale sales throughout Ontario. You will find these sweet treats between mid august to first frost date at our Bathurst street farm gate.
Pick Your Own Raspberries:
our first pesticide-free crop!
August 25th - First Killing Frost
Containers provided
Please visit our farm for pricing
WEEKLY BOX PROGRAM
FARM LOCATIONS
BERRY PICKING
EAT LOCAL
With a history of conventional farming practices, Front Step Farms aims to make a conscious effort to adhere to and listen to community/customer demand with regards to our food production. Within this mindset, Front Step Farms is committed to growing food without the use of chemically derived pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically engineered input materials by 2025. We are always open to observations, constructive criticism, tips and comments. Reach out to us and we will try to establish a dialogue. The past 12 years of community supported agriculture has been both rewarding and challenging for Front Step Farms. The farm has had the pleasure of interacting with and learning from the communities in which it operates. The farm strives to better agricultural practices while maintaining the health and integrity of available farmland and future generations. With much planning, networking and collaborative efforts, Front Step Farms is working towards the commencement of a new local food driven vision, and the conversations surrounding it.
FAQ
Yes we are real farmers. We grow 6 fruit crops in Virgil, Ontario with the addition of horticulture crops and commodity crops being grown throughout York Region/Vaughan.
Absolutely, transparency is important to us and we intend on giving credit to any farmer who supplies us with products we have not produced. We will attempt to explain why certain crops are not able to be grown independently for retail sale by our team.
We are not certified organic but we attempt at all times to minimize or not use pesticides. We will inform you of what has been sprayed or not and with which chemical regiment, either by us or a trusted farmer who we may buy additional products from. We are committed to transition to pesticide free by 2025. We will also look to be certified organically prior to that time.
Are you farmers?
Will you tell us what you produce and what you don’t?
Are you organic?
