Home-made Jumbo Perogies
Chef44
Flat Rock Cellars of Jordan, was established in 2003. Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay are often offered at the market. “The Pinot is our specialty” states Mareike, granddaughter of the owner of Flat Rock Cellars and obviously very knowledgeable about wines. Flat Rock attends 5 farmers’ markets in total. When asked about her experience at markets, Mareike says that sales are increasing every week as more people are becoming regular customers. She also notes that many of the people that she meets at the Grimsby market come to the Flat Rock Cellars retail store between market days. “Wine has become a popular gift” according to Mareike as well as being enjoyed by a growing number of people. Mareike takes pride in being able to claim that all their grapes are hand-picked, hand-sorted, and hand crushed. “We take pride in quality, not quantity” states Mareike. They can be reached at www.flatrockcellars.com
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.
Located in Vineland, GreenLane Estate Winery will be joining the Grimsby Farmers’ Market for the first time this season on alternating weeks.
The Cheeseman, the team of Melanie and John Grills, of Hamilton, got involved in selling local and international cheeses two years ago. John, who has always had a love for good food and a practiced chef for several years, turns some of his culinary skills into the creation of cheese cake blossoms, brulee, lasagna and cheesy buns. The Grills stock many cheeses sourced locally from creameries including Salerno, Upper Canada Cheese, Woodstock and Empire Cheese of Campbellford. Too numerous to list, his selection of these local cheeses include cheddars, Havarti, flavoured and spiced cheeses, brie, marble, sixteen different varieties of cheese curds, as well as a variety of goat and sheep milk cheeses and curds. Many of his international cheeses are imported from England and other parts of Europe. “If a customer wants it, I will try to find it for them”, states Grills who recalls the request for hard Havarti which he searched long and hard for but found it and now carries it. The Grills are involved with supplying product to several of our local businesses including the newly opened Station One Café and Suzie’s Gluten Free Kitchen as well as putting a 10% off coupon at Teddy’s Bar and grill. During the winter, the Cheeseman will fill drop off orders which is really handy if you are planning a party or Christmas festivities.
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.
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.
Niagara Smoked Meats, Euro Deli
Smoked dry salami, kielbasa, pepperettes, imported cheeses including Asiago, Provolone, and Italian cheeses.
Available this year is sausage on a buns, cooked fresh at the market.
Authentic Vegan, Vegetarian & Meat Lover Samosas. Lentil, Spinach & Cheese, Spicy Lentil, Chicken & Spicy Beef. Also available are salads, soups, spreads and chips.
Handmade Granola using Niagara Sourced ingredients. Focusing on Low Fat, High Fibre, Ketogenic Diets, Sugar Free (Natural Sweeteners)
New to the Grimsby market for 2015, Elaine will be joining the market on alternating weeks with her micro greens, herbs, and vegetables.
New to Farmers’ Markets, Peter will be joining us in Grimsby with his great lakes perch, Lake Erie Pickerel, pork and lamb
Pineview Orchards is a sixth generation family farm operation dedicated to growing quality fruits and vegetables. We are My- Pick certified. Our produce includes: apples, Nectarines, raspberries, apricots, peaches, pears, plums, cherries, cucumber, eggplant, squash, zucchini, beans, tomatoes, lettuce, and peppers. We sell our produce at market from July to September.
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.
Returning again this year with an assortment of freshly popped corn.
Located in the Greenbelt on the Grimsby escarpment, Silmaril Farm offers PYO apples and freshly pressed pasteurized apple cider at the market. The farm is home to sheep, 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.
Farm gate sales are available year round. The farm is registered with Foodland Ontario and Home Grown Ontario by meeting their standards of production. Visit the farm at www.silmarilfarm.ca or email for product availability at mseaborn@silmaril.on.ca
John Chabot of St. Catharines wanted to produce something using sweet potatoes. He loves sweet potatoes and will rant about all the benefits of the bright orange vegetable. Two years ago, John decided to create a veggie burger using sweet potatoes. This was an instant hit as witnessed by many who line up at his booth when he is cooking veggie burgers for hungry shoppers. He has them available in frozen packages too for shoppers to take home and cook at their leisure. But veggie burgers were just the beginning. Now Sweet Potatoes Johnny incorporates his favourite vegetable into baked goods such as waffles, brownies, muffins and breads, and into frozen meals which include lasagna, chili, burritos, soups, and of course burgers. Asked why he is so keen on sweet potatoes and John is quick to point out that the vegetable is high in Vitamin A, calcium, fibre and iron. “They are good for you and my customers wanted new products so I just expanded my line” according to Johnny. He even makes his own sauces which include chipotle sauce and a honey Dijon sauce.
The Strudel Lady
Enjoy fresh baked strudels made with real Ontario fruits.
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.
Wendalane Farms is a producer of field grown cut flowers. Run by Jen and Bob Gerryts and their children, they have been growing and selling cut flowers for seven years. With over 50 varieties of flowers grown in their fields, there is always something new and interesting at the market each week. They can be reach at www.wendalane.com