Home-made Jumbo Perogies
Alexander’s Fudge is a very new vendor at the market. Filling in a spot that was vacated in late August, Alexander’s Fudge has been a hit during these last few weeks. Chris Alexander makes his fudge in his production kitchen located in his home in Smithville. There are 36 unique flavours including some seasonal favourites such as pumpkin which is available now. Alexander offers between 12 and 16 different varieties at his market booth each week. Some favourites are always on hand such as chocolate walnut, chocolate chocolate, dark chocolate – do you see a pattern here? He also offers a special whereby if you buy four pieces (1 pound) you get two pieces (1/2 pound) free! Alexander began this business just this year. He has been in retail and the food service sector for over 30 years. With regard to making fudge, he explains “I saw an opportunity and went with it – everyone loves fudge!” His wife Brenda lends a hand in this family business getting involved in the artistic part of fudge making by adding the swirls to many varieties. Fudge making has become a full time business for Alexander who hopes to have a store front presence at some point. He participates in some other markets, festivals and events in the area.
Allin Mikuna offer a wide range of dehydrated soups in a jar. Their soups are not only delicious, but they are also healthy and super easy to make! There’s no need to compromise anything here! Plus, there’s 5 delicious flavours to choose from! Come and visit them at the market. They can be reached at allinmikuna.com
Kombucha is a variety of fermented, lightly effervescent sweetened black or green tea drinks commonly intended as functional beverages for their supposed health benefits.
Home-made pasta, Barbeque and pizza sauces, dressings. Offers hot pulled pork sandwiches, penne pasta with sauce, as well as frozen sausage and meatballs.
Another nice treat any time at all is Concord Mountain Grape juice. Jane and Don Kouri have been operating Concord Mountain Farm at RR#2 Beamsville for the past 22 years growing juice grapes, apples, plums, pears, and peaches. In the summer of 2007 it was announced by the bottler of Welch’s grape juice that the St. Catharines plant would be closing and no longer purchasing grapes from local growers. Much has been published about the health benefits of grape juice as an anti-oxidant. In anticipation of health conscious seniors, as well as parents not wanting to give sugary drinks to their children, they began to process their own grapes for juice to be sold at the Grimsby Farmers’ Market. Their pure, pasteurized grape juice contains no added sweetener and has become a popular local product. In addition to farming, Don is also a Doctor of Education and full time Professor at Mohawk College. Located along the side of the Niagara escarpment, Don and Jane provide homegrown fruit and tomatoes at the Grimsby Farmers’ Market. Concord Mountain Farm is becoming quite well know for their homegrown grape juice.
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 atwww.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.
The Itty, bitty pie company offers a wide selection of itty bitty fruit and cream pies as well as caramel sauce
Gluten and Dairy Free Baker
One of the original vendors, who always has an attractive display of home grown products, is Laurie Korten of LauRay Farms from Dunnville. Laurie and her husband Ray have 30 acres of property on which they grow about 20 acres of garden variety vegetables including sweet corn and potatoes. The other 10 acres is cash cropped, much of which is used to feed their cattle and chickens. Their beef and eggs from free run chickens are available at the market along with an array of home grown vegetables and strawberries. Laurie starts the plants from seed in the early spring in her greenhouse, transplants them, and grows them right to harvest. Excess plants are available for sale. Aside from the Grimsby market, LauRay farms can be found at 4 other markets per week.
LauRay Farms located along the Grand River in Dunnville, offers fresh homegrown vegetables. We have PYO or pre-picked strawberries. We offer farm fresh omega -3 , free run brown eggs. Our beef is corn and grass fed angus/hereford cross, naturally raised with no hormones.
Ilya and Nadia Senchuk, a husband and wife team from Grimsby bought their 11 acre farm three years ago and operate as Leaning Post Wines. Ilya, however is no stranger to winemaking. Originally from Winnipeg, Ilya became somewhat curious about wine making and moved to Ontario to attend Brock University’s Viniculture program. Upon graduation he was quickly picked up by Daniel Lenko and Foreign Affairs wineries as their wine maker. Now, the couple buy from selected local growers to make their wines on site. “We are small farmers helping small farmers” says Nadia who is obviously proud of the work they are doing. Their own fields have recently been planted with various varieties, however “not all areas produce the best types of grapes for wine making” claims Nadia. This is one of the reasons that the couple will continue to source the best local grapes to put the “best of Niagara in a glass”! Grimsby is the only market the couple is attending this year. They offer five VQA varieties at the market including a Riesling, an Oaked Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and “the Fifty”, an unoaked chardonnay. When asked about the market experience Nadia says she is enjoying meeting the people at markets, many of whom are now stopping by their retail outlet.
Homemade Chilean Style Empanadas cooked to order. Authentic and fresh ingredients served with Pebre sauce.
vegetables harvested from our farm on the Beamsville escarpment with extra bonuses from our neighbouring farms. Eighteen weeks of delicious goodness.
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.
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.
Handmade Granola using Niagara Sourced ingredients. Focusing on Low Fat, High Fibre, Ketogenic Diets, Sugar Free (Natural Sweeteners)
Joining us again this season with a selection of home grown raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, asparagus and beans. We see the Overbeeke’s for a short portion of our season, make sure you visit them during berry season.
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
Dave will be joining us this year with his home grown vegetables on alternating weeks.
When Pat Johnston is not planning raffles or zombie walks, she is busy in her home kitchen making the most marvellous of home baked pies. Pies ‘n Such has been with the Grimsby Farmers’ Market for three years. Baking is a hobby for Pat, following in her mother’s footsteps. She remembers as a child the smell of homemade pies, two of which were baked every weekend. When she was old enough, Pat helped to roll the dough. “Pies are comfort food”, says Pat, “they taste like home and remind you of Sunday dinners as a child”. To this day she still uses her mother’s recipe for homemade dough. Pies are filled to brimming with locally sourced fruit. She uses only the best and freshest ingredients in all he baking which includes squares, cookies, and fruit tarts. The business was originally started in the hopes that her children would present at the market to sell the pies and earn some money for university. Those children are now in university so Pat relies on her assistant Christine Taylor or husband to man the booth for her. Did you know that August 24 is National Peach Pie day!
A new local winery joining the Grimsby market on alternating weeks throughout our season. We look forward to the VQA wines that Rosewood has to offer.
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
Suzie’s Gluten-Free Kitchen offers a selection of gluten-free mixes, prepared pie fillings and salsa, as well as gluten-free pies, cookies, brownies and banana breads.
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 Hudson’s
Trevor is joining the Grimsby market on alternating weeks this season bring his vegan baked goods.
August is blackberry month – not the phone, the tender little blackberries that are now available at Blackberry Bob’s booth. “I got the title of BlackBerry Bob from Anna Olson who was featuring his blackberries during one of her TV cooking shows” says McGough, who has used the title ever since. Bob and Lucie McGough have been with the Grimsby market for three years and enjoy the interaction they have with their customers. They have been farming in Beamsville since 1977 on 8 acres, of which 2 acres are devoted to blackberries. All of the blackberries are grown organically, no pesticides are used.
You may have noticed the brilliant array of colours along Main Street at Christie Street. This burst of colour is due to Trillium-Hill Greenhouses of Grimsby. Located at 471 Main Street West since about 1998, they began their greenhouse business in Jordan in 1993. All the plants offered at both the Grimsby Farmers’ Market and at their greenhouses are started and grown on site. Donna Magalas, who you will meet at the market each week, is the creative force behind the beautiful planters and hanging baskets. Her natural artistic abilities are well displayed in the assorted planters that are offered each week. Trillium-Hill brings annual plantings, some vegetable and herb plants and fig trees to the market, however the greenhouse has a huge offering of perennials, trees and shrubs as well. The knowledgeable staff at the Grimsby Market location is part of the reason that Trillium-Hill is a very popular site at the market.
Harish Patel joined the market this year during the pre-season at St. George’s Ukrainian church. Viniki Farm and Greenhouses is located in Niagara-on-the-lake and this is Harish’s first year at the Grimsby market, but not his first year at farm markets in general. Harish bought his 11 acre farm about 5 years ago. With the addition of two greenhouses on the property, he is able to offer a wide variety of vegetables, plants and some lilies. Most of his vegetable products are available right now including peas, zucchini, pea shoots, buck wheat lettuce, spinach, spring mix, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes and garlic. To this he adds fruiting bushes such as raspberry, black and blue berries, figs and strawberries. Fruit will be next, just waiting for the season to come for apples, pears, plums, sour cherries and a few table grapes. Harish also has herbs, both dried and fresh and his basil, thyme, oregano and tarragon flavours the air around his booth.
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
The love of old craftsmanship is the focus of Wine Route Antiques, located on Kemp Road East in Grimsby. Each week Georgette brings an assortment of functional and decorative items to sell, providing additional interest and variety at the market.
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