Year End Celebration slight VENUE change.....

Ticket Sales for the market year end celebration have been great! So great, in fact, that we have sold more tickets than what capacity at the market building will allow - the location has changed.

The event details are as follows:

Saturday November 7, 2009 (same date)

6pm - 9:30pm (same time)

St. Thomas Public Art Gallery,
301 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, N5P 1B5 (different location)


Tickets: $15 adult; $10 child (5-12yrs); children under 5 free (same rate at the door)

Kim Saunders, local chef from the Windjammer Inn is putting together a fantastic apetizer menu using product from the following vendors:

Gredigs Apples & Cider
Plamers Maple Syrup
Berry Hill Fruit Farms
RGrow Farms
Farmgate Markets
Quai du Vin
Coffee Cultures
McSmiths Organics

Thanks also to Erie Gardens and RGrow farms for the beautiful fall decorations.

Please pass this information on to anyone you might be aware of that was interested in attending and perhaps have not purchased tickets yet - they are available at the door - now at the new venue of the Art Gallery.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Cheers,
Tricia Herbert

Has it Really Been 6 Months???

It would seem I just started this blog, figured out how to get it from my computer to yours (with some expertise help from NH), laughed more than once about a comment that was made about a market experience, and now, here we are. The last market day of this season, this Saturday, October 31st. (picture to the right is the first day -May 9, 2009)

Many of our vendors operate year-round from their own business locations. Visit the Jaydancin booth inside the building to pick up your free handmade soap - at the market this Saturday only. As a Thank You gift you the customers. You can visit Jaydancin Body & Soul at their year round location on Main Street in Sparta. Gredigs Orchards will have baked goods made from the team at Arthur Voaden culinary class - they have some apples and cider available at their farm location on Ron McNeil Line close to hwy 74. Oegema's operates the Turkey Shoppe at their farm on hwy #4 Talbotville. Farmgate Markets operates a year-round shop at 310 Wellington St - you can also pick up tickets for the Harvest Fest at Farmgates if you miss getting them at the market this weekend. (and there are many more I have mentioned throughout the season)

So much gratitude to all our vendors - this was an AMAZING season and you all deserve a big Thank You! It has been rewarding to watch and be a part of the growth, friendships, and community bonding that has cycled out from the market.

Your chance to socialize and chat with the vendors and other market goers is fast arriving. Harvest Fest Family Open House is Saturday, November 7th 6pm-9:30pm at the market building. Appetizers are prepared by local chef Kim Saunders of The Windjammer Inn of Port Stanley. Coffee, Hot Apple Cider, and wine samples from Quai du Vin are also on the venue. I am looking forward to the photo slide show that charts the memories of the last 6 months - you may see a few pics of yourself in there! We have a table set up this Saturday to sell tickets for Harvest Fest. This will be your last chance to purchase tickets at the market. Why not make it an evening out for you and a group of friends. The kids will enjoy the activities table and everyone, including the vendors, gets a chance to mingle.

And here I linger, a little hesitant to sign off for the night. This is not good bye, but rather see you soon. (or hearing from me again soon). I will send out one more update about Harvest Fest and I will keep in touch over the winter. Maybe a few ways we can help maintain and sustain our local economy.... maybe exciting news about what we're planning for the 2010 Market Season.

See you at the Market!

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

Harvest Fest Tickets Are Ready.....

The Horton Breakfast Sandwich has become an integral part of the market experience. This week's celebrity chef is Mike Robbins of Kettle Creek Inn of Port Stanley.

The Kettle Creek Inn menu is built around the belief in buying locally—they have developed a long list of local suppliers. Mike has been at the Inn for just over 3 years. He completed Culinary Management Training at Canador College in Barrie and enjoyed stints as chef in Barrie, Collingwood and Wasaga Beach. Born and raised in St. Thomas he was happy to move back to the area near family. I am looking forward to my standard 2 count!

Now, for those details about Harvest Fest. We are hosting a year-end open house at the market building on Saturday, November 7th from 6 – 9:30pm and you’re invited.

You may know Kim Saunders, local chef from the Windjammer Inn in Port Stanley (she flipped a 'whack' of eggs last week as celebrity chef). She is preparing an assortment of sweet and savoury appetizers for this event using as much of our vendors’ products as possible. We are so excited to be hosting the open house at the market building this year – a great way to end the 2009 season; the first season the building has been in full market operation in many years.

The theme is strictly fun and social time. An opportunity to chat with the vendors, members of the board, and other market-goers. There will be an on-going video presentation of the memories captured from the full season as well as an activity table for the kids. The food and beverage samplings come from many of our vendors, including Quai du Vin (samples only; this is not a licensed event).

There are a limited number of tickets for this event. Adults @ $15 each, children (5-12yrs) $10 each. You can purchase your tickets at the market for the next two Saturdays (cash only) – we will have a table set up inside the building. Or you can purchase tickets at any of the following locations: Farmgate Markets at 310 Wellington Street; Oracles Book Shop at 556 Talbot Street; by return email to me to arrange if you are unable to access any of these avenues.
And the vendors keep coming! This week say Hello to new vendors Eileen from Sparta Scrapbooking (she will have pre-made kits for your holiday scrapbooking needs), Karen Huber of Aylmer will have fall produce and decorative items and Hunter Beamish is returning to the market with squash and pumpkins. This is the perfect time to pick up those jack-o-lantern pumpkins!

Mother Nature's Kitchen and Tip Toes Body Care are away this week but will be back for our market season finale on October 31st. The kids will love the straw-bale maze on the 31st. I hear there is lots to find hidden inside the maze - come dressed up - why not make Halloween last all day?

Lastly, the customer appreciation draw has been moved indoors - close to the indoor cafe. It is a little chilly outdoors and the fingers are not moving the pen to paper quite so well.

Look forward to seeing you at the market!

Cheers,

Tricia

To Market, to market, to buy.....

What a beautiful weekend Thanksgiving turned out to be! Sunny skies and a little warmer temperature made for a picture perfect day. Special thanks goes to Patti Kilmer (my aunt) who is our volunteer photographer. She has done an amazing job of capturing the memories and the bounty of the market this season. Her photos are posted on the interior walls of the building and throughout this blog. I have not even used half of the photos she has taken as I tend to return to my favourites. I am putting together a post-season photo collage that will be available for the Harvest Fest being held at the market building on November 7, 2009.

Harvest Fest has been approved by city council to be held at the market building this year. We are excitedly putting together the details of this celebratory family open house to be held Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 6 – 10pm. This is a time to socialize, to celebrate the 2009 market season, and to gather our wish list for the 2010 season. We will have appetizers, desserts and beverages for all ages. Tickets are $15 each, $10 for children ages 5- 12 (4 & under free). This is a ticket-only event so you may want to purchase yours early to avoid disappointment. I will be taking prepaid orders this weekend and will provide further details in the near future of other locations where you can pick up tickets for this special event.

You may have noticed a particular vendor at the market for the last few weeks promoting the Doors Open Ontario, which is happening this weekend in St. Thomas. The St. Thomas Horton Farmers’ Market building is one of several sites featured on the St. Thomas tour. The market will operate as usual from 8am to 12 noon, however, the building will remain open to the general public for self-guided tours, until 4pm.

Celebrity chef this week for the Horton Breakfast Sandwich combo is Kim Saunders from the Windjammer Inn of Port Stanley. Kim was one of our local chefs at the popular Freshfest event in August. Her menu at the Windjammer Inn is loaded with fresh and local fare. I'm sure we will keep her busy with our breakfast sandwich orders if last weeks' sales are any indication - Wade Fitzgerald from Garlic's made a whopping 150 sandwichs. (and yes, I had my usual 2 although someone tried to announce that I was back for a 3rd but I was only ordering for my Aunt)

The St.Thomas Hawks Football Teams are raising money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Team members will be dying their hair blue this Sunday after practice and then shaving it all off in two weeks at the Elgin Mall. Visit the Jaydancin booth inside to pledge for this fundraiser and to purchase tickets for a gift-basket worth $75 of Jaydancin products. (tickets for the basket draw are $5). All money raised from the gift-basket draw will be donated to this fundraiser.

We are continuing to collect non-parishable food donations for the Caring Cupboard. Remember to bring your donations to the market and leave in the bin set up in the back lobby of the building. Thank you.

You will notice the market contracting a bit more each weekend. ONLY three market days remaining for the 2009 season. Watch for our season finale Straw Bale Maze on October 31st. Fun for kids and adults alike - I wonder if any of the vendors will dress up for Halloween at the market? This is the last week for McSmith’s Organic Produce at the market. Their farm on Shorelea Rd is open year-round for organic meat, poultry and eggs. Rgrow Farms is done for another year as is DeBackere Farms. Canados Mini doughnuts and Sin-o-Buns are both finished for this season.
We had 34 vendors this past weekend – which means there are plenty of vendors still coming to market. (Guess how many times I have heard the jig: “To market, to market, to buy….. I love it!)

I want to start sharing my list of most favourite things about the market. To wind down the season gently. My MOST favourite thing is the recounting of stories about the market, about how it used to be in the good ole' days and how it ‘feels’ like that again. Those memories are priceless. Not only do they live on from years past but we are creating new ones along side of them. Another of my favourite things is the FUNNY jokes that have been told. I cannot recount them here, but you can ask me about them later. And one more thing for this chat – the camaraderie and partnerships formed between vendors. So key to strengthening our local community and economy and it just happens naturally.

Many thanks and see you at the market.

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

A few Last Minute Updates for this weekend...

Hello All,

It would appear that Mother Nature has other plans this weekend, thus affecting our planned straw-bale maze for the kids. We are moving this activity to be our season finale occurring on Saturday, October 31, 2009.

Also, we would love to donate to the Caring Cupboard but our parishable items are not easily donated. What we can do though, is ask you to bring a non-parishable item to the market for the remaining market days and we will glady drop the donations off at the Caring Cupboard. We will have bins set up inside the market building for your donations. Thank You.

Lastly, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There will be volunteers situated at the market this weekend collecting donations for the pink ribbon campaign.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Tricia Herbert
Market Manager

Thanksgiving at the Horton Farmers' Market....

Thanksgiving at the market has me counting my blessings. Honestly, for all the things we can complain about, we have much more to be thankful for. Freedom of speech, accessible running water, shelter, our choice of where to buy our morning coffee, and a community to call home, to name only a few.

You won’t be able to miss our Straw-bale maze at the west end of the pavilions. Bring the kids and join them on a mini tour through the maze. There will be candy treats at the end of the maze. And for the Thanksgiving celebration at home, pick up a fresh turkey from Oegema's (they will have approximately 20 available with little other stock for this Saturday) and a pumpkin or apple pie from the ladies of the Fingal United Church.

The Horton Breakfast Sandwich combo has taken on a life of it’s own. Celebrity guest Wade Fitzgerald from Garlic’s of London is cooking up the breakfast sandwich – a la Wade. Wade’s background is diverse, starting with his beginnings in Baddeck, Nova Scotia, chef training in PEI, working through Halifax, Ottawa, and landing in London at Garlic’s in 2007. His mandate is to support the local growers and producers and he often visits the farms to develop a personal relationship with the growers. He’s bringing his own specialty bun and adding the option of fresh lettuce and tomato. Yum – definitely a two sandwich day for me!

And this note from Kim McCarvell of Green Leaf Pastry: I will have a limited number of fresh apple and fresh pumpkin pies( all individually handcrafted and decorated with leaf shaped pastry) as well as the usual tarts, squares and cookies. Also, my soon to be famous Golden Jewel Butter(a decadent take on cranberry sauce!!- my husband's grandmother reportedly ate hers by the spoonful out of the jar!!) as well as other fruit jams. NEW THIS WEEK - the long awaited Gluten-free pumpkin, apple and butter tarts & date squares. This is my second last week at the market so I will have information available on how to order Christmas baking(thinking ahead) For the little kids(and big ones too) there are Thanksgiving sugar cookies. Also, three kinds of foccacia bread this week- Sundried Tomato Herb, Olive Fougasse, and Fresh Herb and Feta.

This is the last week for Janis Smith Flowers – Janis and Mark are bringing ornamental pumpkin centerpieces to complete your Thanksgiving table. Also, the last week for Rgrow Farms and DeBackere Farms. We’re starting to wind down the 2009 season, with our last market day being October 31st.

To celebrate the 2009 season, we are holding a Market Harvest Fest on Saturday November 7th. This is an opportunity to celebrate a wonderful season at the market building. It will give everyone (vendors, customers, kids, city officials, and manager) a chance to mingle and socialize. It will be an Open House from 6 – 9pm, and there will be samplings of appetizers and desserts, sourcing everything local from the market. We have many details to put together in a short period of time – I will be sending out a separate email regarding just this event, including ticket details and menu items.

Four more market days left. I can remember marking off my calendar when I began this position – 26 market days. That’s the longest amount of time I have consistently arose at 5am on a Saturday morning (Ray may attest to that as he has made it to the market doors maybe a few times before me). I don’t mind the early mornings, what is more difficult for me is when the party’s over. It gets really quiet very quickly shortly after 12 noon. I imagine though that it is much like that whenever there are large amounts of people in short periods of time - just want the fun and blessings to continue.

Cheers and see you at the market!

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

Happy October.....

The first Saturday of the month of October and hence, the St. Thomas Public Library will be at the market this weekend. Be sure to bring your library card and take home a few timely books about fall and harvest.

We have been harvesting a bit of rain these last few days and will likely continue into the weekend. Rain at the market does not seem to be a problem – our pavilions are sheltering structures, and of course we have the indoor building which also provides shelter and blessed warmth. New inside the building this week is Carol Smith Permanent Christmas Trees. Carol is a returning vendor to the market and will be lighting up the inside this year with her crafty creations.

We continue to average 32 vendors per Saturday. That number includes various vendors finishing for the season and new vendors just beginning. And then there are those who have been here full-time from May 9th right to October 31st. New vendors this week include Quai du Vin with their Concord Sparkingly Grape Juice (non-alcoholic beverage). Sin-o-buns, RGrow Farms, and DeBackere Farms will be done on Thanksgiving weekend, so if you're like my mom and have been waiting for a special occasion to try the sin-o-buns, Thanksgiving is it!

Watch for LOCAL CELEBRITY CHEFS cooking up the Horton Breakfast Combo during the month of October. The breakfast sandwich combo has been a huge success this season. Kudos of gratitude to Sandy and Ray from Farmgate Markets (bacon, sausage, juice, water and all the other fixin’s including the cooking!), Amber from Frisa Farms (eggs of the combo), and the gals from Coffee Cultures (the coffee of the combo). We are proud to include the Horton Breakfast Combo as a ‘feature’ for the Doors Open Campaign which runs in St. Thomas October 17 & 18th. The Horton Farmers’ Market is a part of the tour on the 17th only so we hope to see extra visitors to the market that day!

We do not yet have the final details approved for the season-end Harvest Fest. When that happens, you will be the first to know. As I finish up this writing, the sun is shinning brilliantly - perhaps a sign of tomorrow's weather - I have been called the eternal optimist before!

See you at the market!

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

Happy Autumn, Harvest, & September.....

This is the time of year to savour. The weather, your time with family, and those autumn soups made with fresh veggies from the market. I love this season and it always seems to go faster than the other 3 - already, October is upon us. This leaves just 5 Market days remaining. Five more Horton breakfast sandwichs, 5 more opportunities to shop direct from the farmers, 5 more Saturdays to savour.

With October comes Thanksgiving weekend. Oegemas Turkey Shoppe will be at the market that weekend and will have fresh turkeys - please check with Annie to place your order ahead of time to avoid disappointment. They will only have a limited number of whole turkeys available at the market and of course, plenty available at their home shop in Talbotville.

What's your favourite part of the market? Something to think about as I will be collecting this type of data in the off-season to help us sustain the growth and viability of the market. The process will be easy and pain-free! You can send me an email or chat with me at the market. The official stats will be collected via survey. There is a large majority of you who are silent type - this will be an opportunity to share your thoughts.

Then there is those whom I have heard so much positive feedback from and I am very grateful for that. The information is shared with everyone who is involved in making the market possible. That list is long and includes the Board of Management, City Council, the vendors, community fans who promote the market just because they love it, and you the customer.

We will have one new vendor at the market this weekend - Mother Natures Kitchen will be bringing handmade granola to be eaten alone or in a variety of other meals. And as a side note, there are a few vendors who had originally planned to be finished by now but have enjoyed and benefited from the market so much that they are staying until the end of the season (Oct 31).

A few more vendors are winding down for the season including Mark Wales Produce and DeBackere Farms and a few vendors will be at the market perhaps once more like Susi Q jewelery (this weekend) and the St. Thomas Public Library (next weekend).

And we have music planned for this weekend. Centre Piece Marketing presents Jim Macdonald. A performer at heart; his passion for music and his obsession to entertain have been a driving force behind his dynamic songwriting and live performances. His diverse musical influences provide a backbone to his creativity that captures the listener with intimate and powerful images that are straight from the heart. His strong descriptive lyrics carry with them the integrity of universal experiences and emotions, woven together with a blend of metaphor and realism. Now at the of 31, Jim and wife Sandy are the very proud parents of 3 sons Jonas, Remy and Jude. His children offer new inspiration for his creativity, and desire to pursue his dream. Jim is currently promoting his new CD produced by Don Kerr in Toronto released last year. The original music of Jim MacDonald is a fresh and poignant sound that is paying its dues and will always leave the listener wanting more.

Invite friends and family to meet you at the market, plan to stay awhile and listen to the music, enjoy your breakfast and finish your shopping.

See you at the market!

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

And the market grows...

....... continuously, although, not due to any rain we have had lately. This lack of water from the sky has seen a continued delay in some of our fall harvest. The sweet potatoes aren't sweet yet and the watermelon are just bursting now in time for our beautiful late summer. Try RGrow's Watermelon Salsa this weekend - you can get the recipe on our blog.

The ladies from the Senior Centre are back the week, this time with Apple Pies. You can also pick up a pie or apple crisp, or pasturized cider at Gredig's booth. Tammy Gredig works in conjunction with the cluinary class from Arthur Voaden Secondary School to bring the fresh baked apple goods to the market each week.

Welcome to Peter of SWGardens who will be bringing a variety of asiatic lily bulbs and potted hostas for you to take home and plant. The weather has certainly been cooperative for fall garden cleanup. And to add a seasonal touch to your garden, the fall mums are in bloom at Hertiage Greenhouses and Erie Gardens.

Kim McCarvel of Green Leaf Pastry is away this week as she is participating in the London Doors Open program as part of the working artist team at the Eldon House. Watch for her return on Sept 26th with several gluten free products and lunch bag treats for little (and big) kids.

New vendors this week include Canados Mini Doughnuts. Fresh mini doughnuts made right before your eyes. They will be inside the market building. Take home a dozen for only $3.

Nikki from TipToes Body Care Products will be returning indoors for her second week at the market.

Also new to the market, but certainly not to our community, is Big Brothers Big Sisters. September is Big Brothers/Big Sisters awareness month and they double-dare you to be a kid again. My 'little sister' lives in another city but recently reminded me that she is now the age that I was when she and I were matched. There are little and big ways to volunteer for this agency that can make a world of difference.

The Horton Market Harvest Fest will be held at the market this year on November 7th. Tickets will go on sale for this event starting next week. The venue is slightly different this year as we wanted everyone (particularily the vendors and their families) to be able to socialize and enjoy themselves - stay tuned.

Short and sweet (because the potatoes aren't) this week.

See you at the market,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

Can you 'can'?

Last week at the market was a record-day! We had 38 vendors at the market. Wow! Thank you for coming out in droves.

It was one of those days where I couldn't tell what time it was as there wasn't a lull at any point in the day. Our vendors were busy right up til closing time. The beautiful weather combined with a shift in our schedules - back to school, back to work, back to cooler, shorter days- kept everyone close to home.

Our canning display this weekend will give you a starting point - the basics of canning and preserves. We will have a mini display set up inside the building with a quick reference sheet for you to take home. Several of our vendors have their canned goods for sale and sample.

McSmiths Organics are bringing cases of pickled beets and some for sampling too. Kim McCarvell of Green Leaf Pastry will be sampling her 'Sugar Plum Fairy Jam'. She also has a special on her organic Italian Antipasto & handcrafted organic Sundried tomatoe and Herb Focaccia bread. Purchase these together for $7.25 (a savings of $1.25) - you might want to see her first as she has sold out on the bread for the last two weeks before 10am!

If canning isn't for you, there are plenty of preserves at the market for you take home, ready-made!

Gredig's Orchards are returning with two varieties of apples - the cider is not ready yet but possibly next week. And some of you may be planners and thinking about a season coming up that includes sparkling lights and wrapped gifts - Carole Smith is returning with her beautiful handmade miniature christmas trees.

Look for a new vendor - TipToes Body Care, a local business with natural skin care products for Baby & Mama and special products for Seniors. They will be located indoors.

This will be the last week of the season for some vendors. Birdman on the Marsh with his handcrafted birdhouses will be done for the season. Birdhouses make awesome gifts for the hard to buy for person on your list - you can never have too many (in my opinion) and they keep on giving year round.

Have you heard about Doors Open Ontario? This province wide program is sponsored by the Ontario Heritage Trust and has several participating communities opening their doors to heritage sites for a self-guided tour of history and heritage. St. Thomas is new to the venue this year with our dates of October 17 & 18th. The St. Thomas Horton Farmers market is on the venue for Oct. 17th. It will be business-as-usual that day with market hours from 8am to noon but then the building will remain open until 4pm for participating tourists. Please visit the Doors Open booth at the market for more detailed information and other sites in St. Thomas.

One other record high this past weekend - the Horton Breakfast Sandwich Combo! Sandy Lyle and the combo team (his family) were hopping last week, making over 140 sandwiches in 3 short hours. I did my share of keeping them busy by having two! I am up at 5am so for me its one for breakfast and one for lunch!

And the winners are..... last week Sears St.Thomas had a booth at the market handing out the Christmas Wish Book and signing folks up for a free draw. I have drawn the names and made the calls - Christmas every week for me I keep saying. And the customer appreciation draw is always a highlight of my week. Congratulations to all our lucky winners - see me on Saturday to collect your prize!

We have been dicussing a 'Friends of the Market' idea in our meetings. This would be an informal group of volunteers who would like to help out with the market in any capacity. There are always little things that need to be done that can contribute in larger-than-life ways. If this might be of interest to you please see me at the market or email me.

I could keep writing as there is always so much to talk about when it comes to the market. Someone asked me last week how much coffee I had - what? Was I chatting too fast to keep up? This is not a bad thing - the growth and support of the market in the past 3 years has been amazing! I have jokingly mentioned that we might need a support group for the months of Nov-April to keep everyone connected in the off-season - also not such a bad idea!

See you soon,

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

Jam-Packed Weekend Starts at the Market...

It is Labour Day Weekend and for St. Thomas and surrounding community that means MANY activities to chose from. After your trip to the market, why not take in the dowtown sidewalk sale? Many merchants are having fantastic bargains for this one-day only event on Saturday. From there, you can take a free bus shuttle to the Fire Muster Days at Pinafore Park and /or a Mens Fastball Game at the Doug Terry complex.

Although the market is always a fantastic place to bring the kids as they experience first-hand what it means to buy fresh and local, this weekend is especially about and for the kids!

Razzle Dazzle Jam! Do you know what is in this special concoction? Me neither! A great way to involve your kids in your shopping: plant a little seed with your children to find the vendor who produces this jam and bonus points if they kids can find out what the ingredients are. Here's a hint: this vendor is in the South Pavilion and has the initials BHFF. Be sure to find me on Saturday and let me know what you find out!

Kids Kraft Korner & Erie Gardens are back this weekend! You may have noticed Mary Joicus' picture in the Super Shopper this week. The girls are back with a fun craft for the kids to make and take home. The girls have been doing a fantastic job of running the kids kraft korner on a donation basis only to help off-set the cost of supplies. We have missed them the last few weeks as they finished up soccer and vacation and are happy to have them back to the end of the market season (October 31st).

Perhaps your 'kids' are of the four-legged, furry kind? Dogs We Love is a new vendor located inside the building. They produce REAL FOOD for your dogs using only fresh, local, human grade ingredients. Be sure to stop by Ashley's table and take home a order form and a few specialty cookies for the 'kids' waiting at home.
The St. Thomas Public Library will be back as it is the first saturday of the month with books for sale and books to check out with your library card. No worries if you don't have a card - they can sign you up on the spot!

And for the kids of all ages, you will surely love the special 'treat' Farmgate Markets has in store for you; or actually, on the street for you.

Last week, I mentioned the literature about My Pick vendors, which is displayed in the back lobby of the building. The Horton Farmers Market currently has 3 vendors on-site that are verified or in the verification process. Please visit Empire Valley, RGrow Farms, or McSmiths Organics to find out more information about this new process from Farmers' Markets Ontario.

This will be the last week for Belmont Village Pantry and their variety of gluten free products. Christine Noble has been successfully balancing two businesses and has sold the Village Pantry. Look for her to be returning to the market in a few weeks with products from her other business, Guided Balance Hypnotherapy.

I love this time of year. The signs of fall are showing up in the returning vendors to the market. Watch for Gredigs Apple Orhcard to be returning shortly with the first of the apple harvest and fresh, pasturized cider. And Christmas trees by Carole Smith - permanent, already decorated, minature displays - Carole will also be returning to the market as a seasonal vendor.

We are making plans to celebrate the market season with our now annual Fall Family Harvest Dinner for November 7th, 2009. Stay tuned for details such as menu, location, and ticket sales.

Enjoy the settling back into routine. Enjoy the beauty of what Mother Nature has to offer. Look forward to seeing you at the market.

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert
Market Manager

Is Summer really over?....

The forecast for this weekend is rain, so I have heard, as I do not follow the weather reports. There, I have said it for the record - I choose to let the day surprise me. If I really want to know what it is going to be like that day, I just look outside OR if need be, I actually step outside and test the air.

Rain has not affected the crowds or the spirit at the market. It has delayed the crops by a few weeks, and gave us a storm to contend with at FreshFest last Thursday evening but regardless, the market is well attended, rain or shine. Thank You all for that!

Currently in-season produce includes beets, peppers, sweet corn, melons, peaches, pickling cucs, eggplant, and tomatoes. The first few apples are starting to show up (Paula Reds) and a few things are winding down - mostly the blueberries and raspberries. Learning to blanche is one of the easiest methods of extending the bounty of summer/fall harvest into winter. One year I decided to double up on almost everything I purchased from the farmers market and froze half of what i bought to extend into the winter. We enjoyed stuffed peppers (freeze as halves on a tray and store in ziploc bags; stuff frozen and bake- yummy!), fresh sweet corn, brocoli, green beans, and blueberries(also freeze on a tray, no blanching, and store in ziploc bags) through the entire winter season. I also made freezer tomatoe sauce, and froze leeks, onions, and 1 cup serving sizes of kidney beans and black eyed peas to make a quick crock pot of warming chili. These are just a few of my quick, easy methods of continuing to support local through the winter and make meals work for busy families. We are having a canning and preserves demonstration at the market on Saturday, September 12 - come with your questions and see how easy it is to preserve. I just finished off a jar of pickled green beans that was from my first attempt at preserving which we did with beans and dill from the market - they were delicious!

We are having some local talent performing this weekend so bring your chairs and prepare to stay a while. Centrepiece Marketing will be presenting the talented Siobhan O'Neal.

Born and raised in London, Ontario, Siobhan O’Neal stepped onto the local music scene an ex-band geek with a book full of songs and an electric keyboard. Finding her passion in a performing arts school and her church youth band, she began writing songs at the age of 12 and performed her original work for the first time at her high school talent show. Her musical style has grown and developed over the years, incorporating her childhood influences of classic rock and classical training to a range of folk and indie traits. Her songwriting is deeply introspective, exploring thoughts on disappointment, truth, hope and love.

Please visit Centre Piece Marketing to keep up to date with what's happening on the local music scene.

Have you heard about My Pick? There is information inside the market building about this new program from Farmers' Markets Ontario. My Pick vendors are verified local farmers audited by a representative of Farmers Markets Ontario. The My Pick logo is a way to ensure that the farmer is local, is the grower of what they are selling and that it is produced on their farm. Please note, if a farmer is not 'My Pick' verified, it does not mean that they don't qualify but rather that they have not done the verification process. Please continue to talk to the vendors about their produce, if they are the growers of all that they bring to the market, and where they source their additional produce if they do bring other produce.

This is the last Saturday in August but far from the last Saturday of the season (Market Season Ends October 31st ). Just like I don't follow the weather, I try not to get in on the famous saying of "Where has the time gone?" But sometimes, like this month of August, I just can not believe how the month has disappeared! My how time flies when you're having a social gathering every week! There are groups (ie. Doors Open & ACO of Ontario, Summer Blast, and IPM2010) at the market promoting other community events happening into September, October and later. Be sure to stop by their booths for tickets and details!

Look forward to seeing you soon,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

Peach Pies at the Market...

Have you ever had peach pie? I haven't. For those of you who have not (including myself) and for those of you who love peach pie - this saturday at the market is your day! The folks from the St.Thomas Seniors Centre will be back with peach pies. Although they bring plenty (50 or more pies), they always sell out before end of market day. You know what that means.... early birds get the pie!

I attended Fresh Fest last night at the CASO station here in St. Thomas where I had an information booth set up for the market. There were more than 300 people in attendance and I saw many of you there. We also added new members to our e-letter mailing list. If you are aware of anyone who is interested in joining this group, please pass along a copy of this letter and have them visit the blog for details of the 2009 Market season. This is one of the major resources that ties our market community together.

The market seems to have taken on a life of its own. The energy is positive, the tables are overflowing, and the community spirit is palpable. People look forward to coming to the market, rain or shine. There's withdrawal symptoms for everyone when one of our regular customers can't make it for a week or two. We wonder if they are okay; if they are away on holidays; if something came up that interupted the regular routine? Sometimes, I miss seeing or chatting with a few people due to some mission that I am on during market hours. They reassure me the next day that they saw me but that I was busy - Thank you for that!

As we do have new members joining this group weekly, following is a brief summary of the market vendors by location. (note: some vendors do move each week as some booths are pre-allocated to season vendors who start at different times during the market season)

Indoor Vendors include:

Farmgate Markets Inc.

Oegema's Turkey Shoppe

Frisa Farms Eggs

Coffee Cultures

Aunt Cin's Baked Goods

Susi Q Jewelry

Devrati Jewelry

Jaydancin

St. Thomas Public Library (first Saturday of Every Month)

Doors Open & Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (Elgin Branch)

South Pavilion Includes:

McSmith's Organics

Janis Smiths Flowers

Berry Hill Fruit Farms

Beaverbrook Culinary Herbs

Palmers Maple Syrup

Paul's Woodworking

DeBackere Farms

Janssens Farms

Erie Gardens / Kids Kraft Korner

Green Leaf Pastry / Green Fusion Arts

Ethel Mitrovic Potery

Boonie Doone Beachglass Artistry

Village Pantry Restaurant

Lindsay Farms Mushrooms

En Fleur Lavender in Bloom

North Pavilion Includes:

Kosciks Greenhouses

Ann Grace Designs

Bluegroves Fruit Farm

Gibson's Honey

John Martin Produce

Empire Valley Farm

RGrow Farms

The Bonsai Guy

Birdman on the Marsh

Lotus Thai

Moments Jewelry

Mark Wales Farms

And, we often have community fund raiser groups such as the Panthers Girls Hockey, the Fingal United Church, and several others. There is also room for the one or two time vendor who wants to come and try promoting their product at the market. The vendor mix is always a little different, with something for everyone.

With the busiest part of our season under way we have noticed the parking lot shuffle. I have heard several gentle reminders that when parking in the lot, please all park in the same direction and please allow room for your neighbour to manouver in and out. Parking lot painting is on our list of improvements for next season- this is a good sign of the growth of the market!

Remember to sign up for the customer appreciation draw, bring a friend to the market, and enjoy these last few days of August.

See you tomorrow!

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager