For more than four decades, the Hewitt name has been synonymous in this region with great sweet corn and other delicious produce.
If you’ve never been to the family farm out in Warminster, you have definitely seen their stands on the side of the road or in parking lots around Simcoe County.
Curtis Hewitt is the owner and operator of the six Barrie stands and is happy to be carrying on the family tradition that his parents started in 1976.
“Dad was growing and selling sweet corn back since 1976 and it became widely popular,” said Hewitt. “From there it grew into lots of different produce and baked goods that people just can’t get enough of. The corn and butter tarts are the most popular with the butter tarts being mom’s 35-year-old recipe.”
The famous blue roadside stands carry whatever is in season. Right now, that means green and yellow beans along with strawberries, cherries and, of course, sweet corn. Hewitt said visiting a roadside stand rekindles old memories for many people.
“I think people really connect with local farm fresh food,” said Hewitt. “There’s a bit of nostalgia that goes into it when you stop by and grab something on your long family drive or heading home from work; there is an experience. We hear it all the time, too. People will always comment about being brought along with their parents or grandparents on trips and stopping in at a stand or farm.”
Hewitt helps run aspects of the business with his two brothers (Trevor and Adam). It's a true family business as all the spouses are involved in some regard as well.
When Ron and Linda Hewitt started, there were just two stands; there are now 14 stands between Curtis and his brothers along with a store on the farm, where you can get more than just food and baked goods. Candles, all-natural meats, dairy, homemade preserves and many other items can be found at the farm along with activities to keep the kids busy. Hewitt says the main farm is important but the stands are what most people really know and a lot of work goes into them.
“We have the Corn Buggies, which was dad’s invention," said Hewitt. “He felt we needed more room, so he built them higher and allows us to carry more goods to the stands which we do everyday. We try to live up to our motto all the time which is Quality, Homemade, Local. That’s what is important to people most of all.”
While Hewitt is busy handling all those stands and deliveries, it's people like Abi Fee who is the face of the stands. The 17-year-old was at one Barrie east location this week and smiling at the folks who were doing some shopping on the way home. In her second year of summer work for the Hewitt business, Fee loves what she does and wouldn’t change a thing.
“It's great working here because it's outside and you’re surrounded by fresh food,” said Fee. “It's nice, too, because people are usually so friendly stopping in to grab something and you even get used to seeing the same people from time to time; its just a really friendly place to work.”
For more information on Hewitts Farm Market, head over to their website.
