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