Reesor’s Farm Market celebrates 40 years with community event

By David Yin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Reesor’s Farm Market is marking four decades of farming, family, and community with a 40th anniversary celebration on Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its Markham location, at 10825 Ninth Line.

Visitors can enjoy roasted sweet corn, baked goods, fresh coffee, and activities including farm tours and wagon rides.

Founded in 1985 by Jay and Miriam Reesor, the market has grown from a roadside wagon to a community staple. The family came from a long lineage of farmers who first moved to Markham from Pennsylvania in 1804.

Jay’s sister Arlene looked after the farm while he was away with his family on a three-year volunteer trip to Haiti in the early 1990s, which is when she started an on-site bakery.

Jay and Miriam continued running the farming business – including the bakery – after the trip.

In 2004, the family moved the bakery into a separate business – Reesor Farm Kitchen – in Stouffville. The bakery eventually relocated to its current address at 5758 Main St. as Reesor’s Market and Bakery in 2013.

After nearly 40 years at the helm, Jay and Miriam retired in 2023. The next generation has since stepped in: John Reesor – first cousin once removed of Jay and Miriam – and his wife Emma took over Reesor’s Farm Market, while Laura Reesor and her husband Luke – John’s first cousin – took over Reesor’s Market and Bakery.

Both John and Emma said that they are still adapting to their new positions.

“I think the biggest challenge over the last two years has been just the intense learning that we’ve had to do while balancing family life,” Emma said.

However, the owners added that taking over the family farm allowed them to reconnect with their family’s roots and the local community.

“We really appreciate the support that has continued since we took over the business in ’23,” John said. “This event on Saturday is about celebrating our customers who have been with us for four decades – and our new customers too.”

To learn more about Reesor’s Farm Market, head to reesors.ca.

Photo: John and Emma Reesor stand in front of Reesor’s Farm Market. The married couple have been co-owners of the company since 2023. (Reesor’s Farm Market supplied photo)