The Keady Livestock Market is no ordinary farmer's market. The market started out as a livestock exchange in the early fifties and has been running ever since. At one point an enterprising farmer thought to sell bushels of apples at the entrance to the cattle barns. Since then, the little town of Keady, Ontario has witnessed the spot grow into a sprawling market place of over two hundred stalls. The market season is booming right now, so the stalls are brimming with good things to buy: of course fruit and veg stands of every thing imaginable; gorgeous muticoloured lillies and gladiolas; and fresh-baked pies and treats. The market is located in the heart of Mennonite country so bake stands abound with butter tarts, Chelsea buns, strudels and biscuits, not to mention the fresh honey coated kettle corn. If you are looking for some ethnic gourmet in the middle of farm country, not to worry, there are two Italian deli’s selling everything from spicy salami, to buffalo mozzarella to crusty Italian bread. The real highlight is still the livestock market. You know you are close to the barn that houses the small animals when you see every other little kid walking by with a kitten clutched to his or her chest. This is where small animals like ducks, chicken, guinea pigs, puppies, rabbits, chinchillas – you name it! – are for sale. Across the road in the large barn is the livestock market, and that's where the real action is. Bleachers surround a small pen where goats, sheep, cows and pigs are paraded and bid on. The new owner takes it to market or home, for stud, for some lucky 4H kid to be raised for show or even just as a pet (the woman beside me just had to have the pretty black sheep). The Keady Livestock Market is located 10 miles southwest of Owen Sound and runs every Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Click here to sign up for Christine's Food for Friends e-newsletter!