Tucked away in Sheffield, Ontario, just outside Hamilton, Sheffield Acres is a small-scale farm with a big commitment to quality. Run by Bert Van Der Maar, Sheffield Acres specializes in pure unpasteurized honey, premium garlic (including black garlic), and handcrafted 100% beeswax candles, all produced right on the farm.

For those new to black garlic: it's regular garlic that has been slow-fermented over several weeks under carefully controlled heat and humidity. The result is cloves that turn jet black, develop a soft, jammy texture, and take on a rich, deeply savory flavor with hints of molasses and balsamic — with none of the sharp bite of raw garlic. It's a remarkable ingredient, and Sheffield Acres produces it beautifully.

Unpasteurized Honey, As Nature Intended

Sheffield Acres' honey is raw and unpasteurized, meaning it retains all the natural enzymes, antioxidants, and beneficial compounds that heat processing removes. Many of their customers have specifically sought out Sheffield Acres after looking for a local source of unpasteurized honey, and they keep coming back. The flavor varies with the season and the flowers the bees are visiting, a living reflection of the local landscape.

Handcrafted Beeswax Candles

Using wax from their own hives, Sheffield Acres produces handcrafted 100% beeswax candles. Beeswax is the gold standard for natural candle-making: it burns longer and cleaner than paraffin, emits a gentle natural honey scent, and releases negative ions that help neutralize airborne pollutants. Each candle from Sheffield Acres is made with the same care and attention that goes into every product on the farm.

A True Farm-to-Market Vendor

Sheffield Acres is the kind of vendor that makes a farmers' market special — a single farmer, growing and crafting something exceptional, and bringing it directly to you. Every jar of honey, every bulb of black garlic, and every candle comes from Bert's own land and hands.

Find Sheffield Acres at the Burlington Farmers' Market on Fridays and Saturdays. Visit sheffieldacres.ca to learn more.