Another Successful Market Season!

I read a line recently that stated we had another successful season at the Horton Farmers' Market. What constitutes success at the market? The market is a key connector of many factors; not all of them obvious. Yes, it connects the farmer to the consumer; the community to it's own turf; friends to each other, and many of us to a piece of our past through memories made there.

But what about the vendors who make further business contracts that extend beyond the market season and beyond the borders of our local community? How about the folks who connected with the fund-raiser groups and felt like they participated in the whole process even though they never left home base. And the stories I have been told - I have been brought to tears more than once by the loving memories of parents and grandparents, now passed on, who were an integral part of this very market.

At times I am overwhelmed by the life of the market - it is boisterous and fun and makes me want more. Even I, who sees much of the behind-the-scenes happenings of what it takes to keep the market happening (not always fun and boisterous), continue to be inspired by the 'success' of the market.

I often treat my business work like my children; nuturing it through bumps and hiccups along the way. The market is no different - it is now like my two year old toddler. In the off-season I feel like I send my toddler to boarding school. I am not connected to it on a weekly basis but it is nutured in my mind and heart. I look forward to sharing memories with you at the Harvest Fest on Saturday November 6th - our grand finale for 2010. You can purchase tickets for this event this Saturday at our last market day of the year. ($15 for adults; $10 for kids (6-16yrs)

One of our season vendors, Empire Valley Farms, will be having a Christmas open house at their farm in Wallacetown on November 25, 26 (open until 8pm), & Saturday 27th (open until 4pm). Another opportunity for you to stay connected with the market vendors and purchase some Christmas greenery and preserves.

The other fun thing happening this Saturday, is of course, Halloween at the market. Our resident face painter Isabelle, will be inside the building this week so if you 'forget' to wear your costume to the market, she will happily help you out.

I include a comment here sent to me from last week's customer appreciation draw winner to pass on to all the vendors - another key contributing factor to the success of the market.

" We are still enjoing the wonderful basket won on Saturday October 23rd. We returned home and it felt as though we were a couple of kids on Christmas morning looking through our stockings full of goodies. We would like each of the vendors to know that we are very appreciative and thankful to all of you for it. It was a pleasant surprise not only winning, but also finding all the donations made by you. We both had smiles on our faces the rest of the day because of you. While most of the contents will be enjoyed by us, there were a few items that we will be shipping to our daughter in England. She was a frequent visitor to the market before moving there. I'm sure she'll be overjoyed at receiving them. Many thanks to all of you."

And I also say many thanks to all of you - the reader, the customer, the market fans. See you one more time (well two more if you are attending Harvest Fest) at the market!

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

hortonmarket@hotmail.com

Two more Saturdays to go and I have little left to ponder about. We do have the municipal election coming up on October 25th - I wonder who will form the next board of management for the market. I wonder why folks even bother to say anymore that they don't get involved in politics. If you are living, breathing, participating in any daily activity such as eating, driving, or working, you are involved in politics. It's just that some people like it more than others and are more vocal about their likes. Please take the time to have your say even if it is to just mark a few X's on a piece of paper - it all counts.

In the movie Food Inc one of the marketing tags at the end stated: "You vote every time you eat." Make your votes count. Are you voting for local economy or something processed and mass produced? Do your food dollars contribute to sustainable agricultural practices? Do any of your local politicians understand the depth and magnitude of these questions and how they relate to a food charter for our region? Ask them. You may be surprised by their answers.

You'll get a chance this Saturday as some of the candidates have rented spots at the market - it is a good place to have that conversation and ask those burning questions. You will also still be able to buy your meat, turkey, pizzas, coffee, Christmas decorations, Barb's Brickle, baked goods, preserves, knitted winter wares, and of course, the last of the fall produce. AND if you haven't yet purchased your Harvest Fest Tickets - we will have a booth set up beside the coffee vendor. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for children (6-16yrs). That event takes place November 6th at the market from 6-9:30pm.

This year we have a newly established 'Friends of the Market' account that operates separate from the city budget for the market. The account is monitored by the board of management and is designed to help promote the market and market related activities. Anyone can donate to this account including vendors, community fund raisers, etc. The funds are carried forward from season to season and are not applied to the city operating budget of the market. If you would like more information about how to donate to this account, please talk to me or email me direct. Any proceeds that we gain from the Harvest Fest ticket sales (after all expenses are paid) will be deposited to this account.

Lastly for this post, the winner of the customer appreciation draw is Gord Plank. Congratulations - in my mind, you are all winners by shopping at the market - the draw is a bonus!

See you at the market.

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

519.777.9529

hortonmarket@hotmail.com

Harvest Fest at the Market!

As the market season winds down, we are gearing up to celebrate! Please plan on attending our year end celebration being held at the market building this year! Harvest Fest is a gathering of all who have been a part of the market happenings and will take place on November 6th from 6-9:30pm. It really is happening at the market this year; all the signatures are on the dotted lines, the safety regulations in place, the plates and napkins ordered and best of all - the food! Appetizers are being prepared by Kim Saunders of the Windjammer Inn using all the vendors fresh products, wine samples from Quai du Vin, coffee from Jay of Part Time Peasant (Fire Roasted Coffee), cider from Gredigs, cake from Spicers Bakery, treats from Kim McCarvell of Green Leaf Gourmet and the list goes on. Add in a picture show and some special guests and you've got a party. Tickets are on sale now - $15 for adults; $10 for kids (6-16yrs). You can pick yours up at the market this Saturday (or the 23rd or 30th), by emailing me, or at Farmgates new location at 19 Elgin Street in St. Thomas. We want to sell out this year so get your tickets early.

Each week in October we have said goodbye for the season to a few more vendors. DeBackeres, McSmiths, RGrow Farms, and En Fleur Lavender are finished this week. The ladies from the PAN Mission trip to Nicaragua will be at the market this weekend to share their experience with you. You can view pictures from their mission, ask questions, and see where your donation dollars went to. They will have information about another mission taking place in March 2011. We will still have approximately 20 vendors selling right to end of season on October 30th - still worth the trip for the breakfast sandwich and good times. Included in this photo are the vendors that make the breakfast sandwich combo happen - Kristen from Frisa Farm Eggs, Jay from Part Time Peasant (coffee), and the team at Farmgate Markets.

I am still in denial about the season really being done in 3 Saturdays. I won't miss the 5am Saturday mornings but you might see me wondering aimlessly downtown Saturday mornings looking for fresh produce, local vendors, and a friendly place to chat. But until then, I will see you at the market.

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

519.777.9529

hortonmarket@hotmail.com

http://www.hortonfarmersmarket.blogspot.com/

Giving Thanks for it NOT being our last market day yet...

The 2010 Market Season ends on Halloween Weekend (Oct 30/10). I once read a quote that was something like: "If you have repeated something a thousand times, take heart, you are halfway there." This weekend is not our last market day but it does tend to be one of our busiest days.

Thanksgiving and the farmers' market go hand-in-hand. We have turkey, potatoes, squash, fresh veggies, baked goods, apple cider, and even sparkling grape juice. Monika from RGrow Farms will have lots of recipes on hand for her sweet potatoes and plenty of treats available are from Spicers Bakery, Green Leaf Gourmet, and Gredigs Orchards. This will be the last week for RGrow Farms so pick up your pumpkins and Halloween decorations while you can. Many of our vendors are staying until the end of season; we will have 25 -30 vendors right up to closing day. And of course, breakfast sandwiches, coffee, and sunny weather to round out another great year. (The picture below to the left is yours truly with market vendor Tammy Gredig of Gredigs Orchards & Cider - Tam & I have been friends for over 25 years and many times we only get to 'catch up' at the market.)

You will notice the pink-ribbon campaigners for Breast Cancer awareness this weekend at the market as well as the St. Joe's Hawks GOBlueGOBald fundraiser for the Make a Wish Foundation. Approximately ten boys from the football team will have their heads shaved to raise funds for the Make a Wish Foundation. If you would like to support their cause, they will be in the North Pavilion at 9am.

Congratulations to Heather Bamford who won the customer appreciation draw. Each week another happy customer takes home the bounty of the market and the number of new suscribers to this newsletter continues to grow. My goal was to have six hundred on the list this year and we are at 593 - only seven to go before the end of the month. I think we'll make it!

Harvest Fest Celebration is happening on November 6th from 6-9:30pm at the market building. Kim Saunders from the Windjammer Inn is preparing appetizers from the vendors produce and hot cider, coffee and wine samples will be available to sip. We will be giving away a few door prizes, watching a slide show of the season, and socializing with the market community. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids (6-16yrs). Tickets will be on sale October 16, 23, and 30th at the market and at Farmgate Markets at 19 Elgin St. here in town. I have a sign up list with me if you would like to reserve your tickets now.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone - the weather is supposed to be beautiful so enjoy!

See you at the market!

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

519.777.9529

hortonmarket@hotmail.com

http://www.hortonfarmersmarket.blogspot.com/