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