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Marsh farm was once a supplier for Heinz babyfood

From 1942-1992, the Prokopchuk family produced organic vegetables for local markets and well known food processors, Campbell's and Heinz
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Annie and Stephen Prokopchuk on their farm in the Marsh.

Postcard Memories is a series of historic views, stories and photos of Bradford West Gwillimbury, a trip down memory lane on a Saturday morning.

Stephen Prokopchuk and his wife Annie Klym were Ukrainian immigrants who came to Bradford in 1942, settling on land bordering Canal Road in the Holland Marsh. 

It was here where they started their careers as gardeners which brought them much joy. 

They set up their home in a self-constructed one-room house and had three sons, Jack, Leonard and Walter, who eventually became part of the family gardening business. 

Their fresh produce was grown in a totally organic environment with no chemical pesticides, and the seeds sown were "open-pollinated", which were seeds harvested by seed growers from domesticated plants that propagated naturally. 

With the income made from their produce sales, Stephen invested in a two-ton stake truck to deliver their crops to Toronto markets and to bring fresh fertilizer and other supplies for their farming neighbours. 

The purchase of the truck was a highlight of Stephen's career, which he later told his sons it was the truck that allowed him to enhance his market gardening career. 

The Prokopchuks prided themselves on fresh, quality produce and were pleased when their lettuce, celery, onions, and carrots were purchased by the Loblaw and Longo families in Toronto, shoppers at Kensington Market, and fruit and vegetable store owners. 

In later years, Stephen and Annie sold their produce to well known food processors, The Campbell Soup Company and H.J. Heinz Company. For some time, the carrots required for Heinz's brand of strained baby food, that was sold across Canada, came from the Prokopchuk garden.

For several years, the Prokopchuks took home first prize for their celery displays at the Royal Winter Fair. 

After 50 years in business, Stephen and Annie retired in 1992. In tribute to them, an onion and carrot are engraved on their tombstone monument in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. 

-from Governor Simcoe Slept Here Volume II book