One of this year’s new faces is Marianna Grzegorczyk from Forty Mile Creek Farm, located right here in Grimsby. Two full acres of the family’s 47 acres escarpment farm are designated to growing heirloom tomatoes, eggplant, exotic vegetables, strawberries and raspberries. Having moved from Oakville only one year ago, the couple are absolutely loving their agricultural experience. “I love Grimsby, I love farming, and I love bringing products that I have grown to the market” exclaims Marianna who is very new to both farming and Farmers’ markets. Marianna, who emigrated from Poland originally is living her “long-time dream to move to the country”. The couple share in the farm work, Marianna’s husband works full time but offers as much help as possible for the day to day farming routine. The children have grown up and moved on giving Marianna the opportunity to spend many hours tending her vegetable patch. The farm is currently producing heirloom tomatoes, pink and yellow tomatoes, sweet black cherry heirloom mini tomatoes, multi-coloured mini tomatoes, beans, purple and white eggplant, cabbage, Swiss chard, beets, radishes, as well as fresh herbs such as celery leaves, parsley and cilantro. She hopes that next year she can expand the garden to include more fresh herbs and other heirloom varieties of vegetables. Aside from the vegetable and berry garden, Marianna keeps some Guinea Fowl for predator control (they sound the alarm when predators wander too close), geese and ducks to keep her pond clean and a few chickens to provide her family with fresh eggs. All of Marianna’s vegetables are grown organically and the farm is in the process of becoming a certified organic farm. She noted that during the market last week she was approached by a Burlington restaurateur who has now agreed to buy her heirloom tomatoes for use in his restaurant. Come out and say hello to Marianne, she’d love to share her joy of farming with her new customers, returning customers, and market friends.
Haist Farms
Cindy Haist or R.C. Haist Farms in Fenwick is new to the Grimsby market although their family business has seen many years at Welland and Port Colbourne markets. Cindy and her husband operate a fifth generation 50 acre farm in Fenwick, as well as about 50 acres of rented land in the area. Half that acreage is in sour cherries which goes directly to further processing, while the remaining acreage is planted in peaches, plums, apples, pears and nectarines. “We are the fifth general on this land”, states Haist, “and four of those generations are still alive”. She and her husband get some help managing the farm from their two grown sons, but still to most of the work themselves. “We haven’t used any outside workers yet, we just try to do the best we can” says Haist. When asked about her experience with the Grimsby market, Haist states that she loves this market, the people are so friendly, she has been able to build up a network of returning customers, and the market vendors themselves are very helpful. R.C. Haist Farms is located at 501 Memorial Drive in Fenwick and have a road side stand for people that want her products throughout the week.
Neufeld Family Farms
One of the main suppliers of a variety of potatoes at the market is Tom Neufeld of Neufeld Family Farm. Tom has farmed all his life, growing up on the family farm and then buying his own about 28 years ago. His wife Mary Anne also has deep farming roots, having grown up on a local fruit farm. The Neufelds, with the help of other family members operate a market garden producing sweet corn, potatoes and vegetables for the Farmers Markets, as well as cash cropping grains and a growing beef operation. The Neufeld Family Farm has the designation of “My Pick” which means that every product that they sell has been grown or produced on their farm. This includes his cuts of beef, potatoes, sweet yellow and white corn, garden vegetables and stone ground flours made from his home grown grains. The Neufeld Family Farm is located at R.R. #` Vineland.
Pear Blossom
Pineview Orchard
Pineview Orchards is a fifth generation family farm operation dedicated to growing quality fruits and vegetables. Our unique location between the Southern shore of Lake Ontario and the base of the Niagara Escarpment enables us to grow tender fruits of quality taste, nutrition and finish which is our primary goal. Serving customers in a retail setting provides opportunity to build trust and friendships with the people who appreciate fresh, local produce.
Rumar Farm
Heirloom vegetables seem to be becoming a popular item at the market as witnessed by the growing number of shoppers at the tables of Rumar Farm. Marc McKerracher and his wife Ruth Gatzke have been growing vegetables for the fresh market at Ruth’s father’s farm in Ridgeville for many years. When Ruth’s father decided to retire, the opportunity to take over the 15 acre farm was met with enthusiasm. Aside from expanding their exotic and heirloom vegetables, they now have 10 acres of stone fruit as well as apples and pears. “Our focus has always been on exotic and heirloom varieties of common market vegetables” says McKerracher who now plants varieties of eggplant, sweet and hot peppers, summer squash and tomatoes from all over the world. They are pleased to be back at the Grimsby Farmers’ Market for their third season. According to McKerracher, they have built a loyal following during their time with the market. “(The market) is as much a social festival for us as well as a great opportunity to reach new customers as we visit with all our new friends” states McKerracher.
Silmaril Farms
Located in the Greenbelt on the Grimsby escarpment, Silmaril Farm offers fresh chicken (whole and parts) farm fresh eggs, and freshly pressed pasteurized apple cider at the market. The farm is home to chickens and turkeys, all of which are raised as “natural fed” without growth hormones, feed additives or by-products. All meat is processed at provincial abattoirs. Eggs are provincially graded and available throughout the year. All meat products are vacuum sealed to retain freshness and food safety. We are pleased to announce that are chicken is featured by both Bench Kitchens locations (Grimsby and Hamilton). In the fall you are welcome to bring the family out to the farm for PYO apples. Enjoy fresh air and quality family time as you leisurely pick your own apples from the nine varieties offered including Honey Crisp, Fiji, MacIntosh, Empire, Ida Red, Red and Golden Delicious, Mutsu (Crispin) and Pink Lady.
Trembling Aspins
Warner Orchards
Home grown fruit including apples, nectarines, raspberries, apricots, currants, peaches, rhubarb, blueberries, pears, strawberries, cherries, grapes, plums, watermelon, crabapples, muskmelon and pumpkins. Vegetables include Asian vegetables, brussel sprouts, cucumber, cabbage, eggplant, onions, squash, beans, cauliflower, garlic, tomatoes, beets, peas, rutabaga, zucchini, broccoli, sweet corn, lettuce, peppers, spinach. Also available are apple cider and cherry concentrate.