Featured in Middlesex Banner; Rooted in Local: Van Osch Farm Store Celebrates Grand Opening
- Van Osch Farms
- May 28
- 2 min read
Updated: 12 minutes ago
AILSA CRAIG - Sunshine, live music, and the smell of sizzling burgers welcomed guests to the grand opening of Van Osch Farm Store on Saturday, May 24. Located on Creamery Road, just outside Ailsa Craig, the new store marks a significant step for the Van Osch family as they expand their local beef operation into direct community sales.
More than a hundred people gathered throughout the day to celebrate the new venture. The store features the Van Osch family’s pasture-raised beef alongside honey, eggs, cheese, preserves, and more — all produced in South-western Ontario.
Brendon Van Osch, one of the co-owners, shared the story behind the project. “I’m the third generation on the farm,” he said. “My grandparents came here in the late 1950s and started it all. Then my father and uncle took over. Now my cousin Kurt and I are equal partners, and we’ve been involved for about ten years.”
The idea for the farm store grew out of both necessity and opportunity. “Before COVID, a lot of local abattoirs were shutting down, and we weren’t eating our own beef — we were just selling it to grocery stores,” Brendon explained. “But once COVID hit, there was a big shift. Suddenly, there was demand for local meat again. People cared where their food came from.”
“This is about more than just selling food,” Brendon added. “It’s about giving people a connection to their food and to local farmers. We want people to know what they’re eating, where it comes from, and how it was raised.”
Saturday’s event also included free burgers made from the farm’s own beef, children’s games, and a raffle. Visitors browsed the shelves, chatted with staff, and enjoyed the vibrant mix of food, music, and community spirit.
The Van Osch family plans to keep the store open several days a week and hopes to grow their offerings over time. “We’re just getting started,” said Brendon with a smile. “It means a lot to us to have the community here supporting what we do.”
Van Osch Farm Store is now officially open and ready to welcome customers who care about quality, local food — straight from the farm.
Written By Olena Riznyk
Farmer's Note: The Grand Opening Event was sponsored in part by Visit Middlesex.
