I recently spent a little time in nature in the beautiful north - sharing space with the river otters, loons, a rather large snapping turtle, and some amazing friends. The trip home took ten hours because we decided to just head south and stop whenever the urge hit. While in Bancroft where we stopped for lunch, I caught a glimpse of the farmers' market happening on the main drag. A few temporary tents and an artistian exhibit tied in with a coffee shop and bakery business. This was a Thursday market that had maybe 15 vendors; it is hard to say what their Saturday market would be like but it reminded me of a few things to be extremely grateful for at our own Horton Farmers' Market.

The building and outdoor pavilions of our market were built to last. The upgrades, including the most recent project of the re-opening of the building, have enhanced the convience of our facility. We have excellent shelter from two market troublesome weather conditions - rain and wind. We don't have to worry about setup and take down of tents, and we have washrooms and hydro on site. We still have free parking and the outdoor vendors get to drive up to their stalls and use their vehicles as additional storage/space to vend.

Another key element is the richness and diversity of our area farmers' market-garden crop. The kids and I play a game where we try to name all the vegetables we know of a certain colour. My favourite is purple - on market day I have found cauliflower, beans, carrots and eggplant all in a beautiful shade of purple.

This saturday we have few more new vendors including Chris Dancey bringing her heirloom tomatoes, herbs, and organic popcorn. The young girls from Purple Panda creations are back with their new venture into entrepreneurism selling their handcrafted jewlery and other items. Artisit Heather Keating will have some of her creations on display and Jaina is returning with her daughters selling Indian Samosa (I bought 6 that disappeared in less than an hour after market ended). Freshfest will be there every Saturday until the even on August 26th and Janine Tucker will have a stall with En Fleur Lavender in Bloom.

I am would love to list all the vendors every week just to remind everyone who is there and what is available but the list is extensive and keeps growing. Even if they are not your regular vendors, please take time to say Hi and chat if space and your schedule allow. Stan from Kosic's Tomatos always has a story to tell; Gary & Pom at Lotus Thai are famous for their spring rolls; Ralph Troupe of Troupe Farms has a whole crew of folks both behind and infront of his stall who are happy to chat, and the team at R-Grow Farms - I love seeing the creative ways they display their sweet potato and yellow watermelon.

Congratulations to Deb Dees on winning the customer appreciation draw. Deb is a long-time market attendee and she and I often chat on market mornings about life. My daughter draws the winner out of the ballots each week and she is always so excited by her task.

Please mark Thursday, August 19th, 7pm on your calendar as busy and plan to take in a presentation at the Senior's Centre in St. Thomas by municpal councillor Gord Hume. His book is called the Local Food Revolution and he has a lot to say about food and politics. His book will be available then or you could pick up a copy at Municipal World in Sparta.

My apologies in the delay of this post. My timing was a bit off this week and I haven't quite got the Wi-Fi-while-travelling thing down pat.

Look foward to seeing you at the market!

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

519.777.9529

Mid Season Already?

I have said before that commenting on 'how fast things are going' only makes them move faster. But this comment needs to be said: This Saturday is the 13th of 26 Saturdays for the 2010 Market Season -the half way mark. I want it to slow down. Slow food, savoured memories, bounty shared. We had an amazing market last Saturday. Several produce vendors sold out, the breakfast sandwich crew barely had a chance to look up from the griddle, and the coffee guys were brewing fresh java non-stop.

The coffee story is a little different this week. Jason and Greg from Part Time Peasant are away this weekend, but they have worked out a way to continue to provide their fresh brew and to give back in a very connected way. I have mentioned many times about my Mom (Sandy) and my Aunt (Patti) going to Nicarauga with PanMissions to teach women to sew and to help build sustainable business practices there. Jason has donated all coffee, supplies, and profits this week to Sandy and Patti to help towards their costs of participating in the mission trip. To further help them out, Ray and Sandy from Farmgate Markets are also donating $1 from each breakfast sandwich sold on Saturday to the cause. To make things a little easier on the ladies, they are only brewing the Peasant Blend coffee and selling the same blend beans.

Starting this weekend, Fresh Fest will have an outdoor booth selling tickets for their second annual event. Look for their booth in the far pavilion. The market will have an information booth at the Fresh Fest event, being held on Thursday, August 26 at the CASO station. They have another exciting venue lined up including the lauch of Savour Elgin, our new culinary tourism event of the county.

Erie Gardens and the Kids Kraft Korner will be at the market this Saturday then taking most of August off. If the fall mums bloom in-line with everything else this year - early - the will likely be back the last weekend in August. Remember peach pie? The Senior Centre team will be there this week selling their now famous peach pies. Grab one early as they tend to go quickly!

Congratulations to Tammy Herrig who won the customer appreciation draw for this week. As promised in an earlier newsletter, we managed to get a photo of one of the winners. This is from a few weeks ago when Carl Bagshaw won the basket. Everyone always comments on the shopping I have been doing when they see me walking around with the green bucket. It's overflowing with prizes for the draw which happens every week!


I remember going to the market with my mom when I was a child. We lived a few doors down on Manitoba street and at that time I could barely see over the tops of the green tables that used to line what is now the parking lot. The building was closed and boarded up and I often wondered what stories were held within those walls and dusty windows. Every Saturday we relive some of those market memories of yester-year and are creating many new ones.

Look forward to seeing you at the market!

Cheers,


Tricia Herbert
Market Manager
St. Thomas Horton Farmers' Market
2 Manitoba St., St. Thomas, ON
http://www.hortonfarmersmarket.blogspot.com/
www.hortonmarket@hotmail.com

Welcome to the new members of this newsletter who have signed up this season. Each week I add a few more names to the growing list from those who designate it on the customer appreciation draw ballots. This past week was a record with 15 new names added. Be sure to puruse through previous posts at the blog to find out what's been happening at the Horton Farmers' Market this year.

You may have started canning already. Look for pickling cukes and garlic, free-stone peaches, and maybe a little salsa. The barbeque should be well seasoned by now - don't forget Oegema's Turkey Shoppe has four different flavours of turkey burgers in the freezer. And Ray at Farmgates almost always has a new brand of sausage to try.

Donna handcrafts all her jewlery at SUSQI Designs - she's having a summer holiday sale this weekend on all her bracelets and earrings (her holidays start after this Saturday's market). That is the other thing you might notice - the vendors get to have holidays too. Martin's Produce are away this week, returning next saturday, as well as the PAN Mission fundraising team of Pat and Sandy.

I keep track of certain stats on a weekly basis including number of vendors, estimated revenue generated by the vendors, and stall rental receipts. All of the numbers are up again this year, at our almost midway mark (July 31st is the 13th of 26 Saturdays). I see lots of new faces every Saturday and I continue to hear stories of how the market is like it used to be - a guaranteed social gathering every Saturday morning. I continue to be awed by that factor as well - I love going to the market!

Congratulations to Sue Koroscil who won the customer appreciation draw for this week. The bucket is always overflowing and the winners always very grateful to the vendors for their gifts. I send the 'Thanks' both ways. I have little else to say - odd, I know.

Life is good. See you at the market!

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

2 Manitoba St, St. Thomas, ON

hortonmarket@hotmail.com

Standing Room Only....

The St. Thomas Public Library has done this really cool thing for the market - they brought Wi-Fi! They have a booth there every week where you can purchase used books and borrow the latest titles. Bring your laptop and sit for a breakfast sandwich or two and just absorb the market buzz. It did get a little warm last week with the sun bearing down on the tables out front - don't forget about the outdoor cafe area in the far pavilion. I will be bringing more tables and chairs out to that area so we have a little more shelter for folks to linger. ( FYI no accessible hydro hookup)

Well, I do believe this weekend we will hit capacity - vendor standing room only! I have had several requests from vendors wishing to start at the market this week. R-Grow farms is returning with sweet corn and melons. Monkia, Anita and Joe are excited to be returning a few weeks early - Monika called me from the field to say they will have the two large tables in the North Pavilion. Mark Wales is returning with garlic, blueberries, and yellow beans. And the Treat Ladies are starting inside - they have told me of carmalized apples, baked pretzels, and all things yummy. Add a few more craft vendors selling handmade birdhouses and children's pillows for a well rounded mix. I will be starting that vendor waiting list in earnest after this weekend. That is exciting to see our reputation growing.

With 40 or so vendors plus all the enquires I field during the week, there is much information and details that are shared. I know there will be peaches from Ralph Troup this week, lots of greens still with McSmiths, and blueberries from Bluegroves. I inhaled 2 pints by Sunday afternoon. And of course, my latest addiction, the scones from Green Leaf Pastries. Last week I bought 2 blueberry and 2 cheese and onion scones- I remember every morsel of each scone. That good. (Photo on the left - a few of my favourite market go-ers and future market managers :-)

I will be spending a little time rearranging the vendors to fit everyone in so please be sure to stop and say hi to everyone and find them all. Nothing too drastic - I know we are creatures of habit.

Bring a friend, stay for a coffee and memories shared. Take home fresh, local products and crafts and enjoy. Please pass this along to anyone who may be interested - we are over 550 members strong and I do not share that list with anyone.

Cheers and see you soon,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

519-777-9529

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

hortonmarket@hotmail.com

More vendors at the market....

With my position as Market Manager comes many perks and a few challenges. I mention the perks often enough and sometimes I hint about the challenges. The perks flow from a central theme - that of connection. Whether we realize it or not, much of our social connections are made through the food we eat. We bond with family, friends, and community often over a shared cup of coffee and a good meal. Every Saturday morning, I look forward to having that first cup of coffee (The Peasant Blend from Jason and Greg) and a breakfast sandwich (from Farmgates) hot off the grill. Because I am there at 6am, I have had a good hour and a half to think about breakfast. I try not to bug the guys too much with my question: "Is it ready yet?"

The challenges stem from the combination of two words: Food and Politics. Enough said.

DeBackere's Farm is starting their 2010 market season this week back in the south pavilion. Some of the produce they are bringing includes peppers, zuchini, green beans, tomatoes, and sweet corn. Yes, corn. Can you believe it? Early crops are a puzzler - a good sign or a not so good sign? Just one of the many questions you can ask the grower direct.

I am finishing off the cherries from last Saturday (the cherry season is almost done so if you see any this weekend grab them while you can) and breakfast all week consisted of raspberries and blueberries with yogurt and granola. I also took home a fresh-baked scone from Green Leaf Pasteries last week - Kim made those scones with love that left me wising I had purchased more than one.

Last week we had 35 vendors at the market. With a few more new vendors coming in by the end of July we should hit 40. I say this here to give you fair warning - prepare to spend more time at the market. I know people come before work, before yoga class, and after an early bird yard-sale tour. Last week we had a group of friends congregate at the indoor cafe - they helped me close the place up. Lingering for that last bit of laughter shared over samples of chocolate.

And about that chocolate. Sharon Jackson and Eleanor Warren will be returning this week to fundraise for a mission trip to Nicaragua. They are sampling their Xocai healthy dark chocolate and selling 50/50 tickets to support the PAN Mission group. My Mom (Sandy) and my Aunt (Patti) are a part of this year's mission group that are heading to Nicaragua in August to teach women to sew and market their business. Sharon and Eleanor are inside the building raising funds and awareness for the entire mission; Sandy and Patti will have a booth outside selling items they have sewn to help raise funds for their own expenses to be a part of the mission trip.

Congratulations to Carl Bagshaw who won the customer appreciation draw for this week. Everyone who has won the basket is overwhelmed by the bounty of the vendor's gifts. Many of the vendors also read this post so I pass on the Thanks to them.

With the increase in vendors and hence customers at the market there is an increase in the number of four legged friends at the market. I have fielded many concerns about dogs in the market pavilions. They are not allowed in the building and signs are posted at both entrances to this effect. The concerns raised about dogs in the pavilions include having them in close proximity to food, dogs loudly voicing their opinions about other dogs, and the crowding that happens with lots of dogs and lots of people. I am a dog lover at heart but I see both sides of this scenario. If possible please leave your furry friends at home or stay with them around the outskirts of the pavilions. I would love to have a place in the shade to wait with the dogs but our property is not able to accomodate that. We are looking into regulations regarding this topic but in the meantime..... Many Thanks.

So it is that I have written another lengthy post; always signing off with so much more to say and not enough room to say it all. We can chat about it at the market.

See you there,

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

St. Thomas Horton Farmers' Market

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

hortonmarket@hotmail.com

Happy Birthday Canada!

We are celebrating our colours at the market on Saturday July 3rd by handing out flags and pins. I hope you are taking in some of the festivities around the county - we are going for a Guinness Record at Port Stanley - the most amount of people wearing red and singing O Canada! on the beach. The time for that is 9pm Thursday evening - just before fireworks. Canfest celebrations are happening all weekend long in Port Stanley. In town, the celebrations are happening at the Doug Tarry Ball Complex this year - 4pm - 11pm (fireworks there at 10pm).

As for the market celebrations, Spicers Bakery is bringing some surprise red & white treats. We will have the flags & pins with various vendors and volunteers to hand out to the first 100 customers. (I'm currently looking for my Canadian Flag tatoos left over from last year). I can think of a hundred reasons why I am thankful to live in Canada and you must know that farmers' markets is in the top ten. My idyllic summer consists of day tripping down the road to a live theatre production and a farmers market or two.......

Josie Allosery's of Josie's Plants is done for another season. DeBackere Farms will be starting in that end booth of the South pavilion but probably not for another two weeks. Last week Stan sold out of Kosic's pesticide free tomatoes, and Ralph sold out of sweet cherries! I saw rasperberries and blueberries at Berry Hill Fruit Farms and it's challenging to walk by Green Leaf Pasteries without trying something new that Kim has baked fresh the night before.

I usually ask someone what they are cooking from the market that day - last week the meal was sauteed arugala with fresh basil, tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese. We have many chefs in our midst! If you are looking for recipes - the display shelf in the back foyer of the building is overflowing with fresh ideas from Foodland Ontario and other associations.

Congratulations again to all the Dad's who picked up a gift certificate from Farmgate Markets for our Father's Day Contest. One of our winners actually wrote about his grandfather: My "Avo" is the best grandfather in the world. He's there for me and teaches me new things. He teaches me about sports and history too! Jeff about his Avo Tedd.

And the customer appreciation basket goes to Gary Campbell this week. Gary is a long-time customer of the market and is happy to finally have won the coveted prize! One of these times soon I will get a picture of the lucky winner to display here.

Happy Birthday Canada - remember to take time; give gratitude where gratitude is due; we are VERY blessed!

See you at the market.

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

St. Thomas Horton Farmers' Market

2 Manitoba Street, St. Thomas

hortonmarket@hotmail.com

And the Winners are.....

The Ontario Premier recently handed out awards of excellence to businesses across the province shinning in the area of Agri-Food Inovation. Not only did Elgin County have three businesses take home awards, but all three are also vendors at our market. Congratulations to Dick & Renee Saarloos of Berry Hill Fruit Farm, Ray Coddington & Sandy Lyle of Farmgate Markets Inc, and to Judi and Carl Lindsay of Nature's Perfection Shiitake Mushrooms. Well done!

School's out shortly, Canada Day arrives and the dog-days of summer begin. (although we have had a few dog-days already to be sure). Erie Gardens is having a Crazy Canuck sale this weekend at the market - stop by their booth to find amazing deals on bedding plants and baskets.

We have a few vendors on vacation this weekend: Karen's Kushions, Moonstone Aromatherapy, and Surely Homemade are all away. And a few new vendors you may have noticed last week: Ashley of Copper Leaf Skin Care, Andy Ivan with strawberries from Union, and this week another new vendor bringing sweet cherries. Ralph has been talking to me since last season and is so excited to be a vendor at our market. I think he was in the orchard picking the cherries himself when he called me to say he would be there this Saturday.

Last week we held a Father's Day contest asking kids to tell us why their Dad is the best DAD in the whole world. The winner's will be contacted by phone to pick up their prizes at the market. Here are a few responses we received:

"Because he makes us special breakfast sometimes and he takes us the the Horton Market (We LOVE ging to the market!)" Maxym & Ryann about their dad Stefan

"We go fishing. He is strong with big muscles and he needs them to carry me upstairs when I fall asleep on the couch. He swims with me and plays X-box. He is my best friend." Cooper S

"Because he loves me and takes care of me and he is very funny and kind." Laura about dad Charles

The other winner to mention is Brian Rogers who won the customer appreciation basket last week. I love how this works - I get to call the lucky draw every week and have so much fun handing over the basket to the unsuspecting winner. The vendors are incredibly generous in contributing to the basket every week. As it happened with Brian, I have been chatting with him and his wife Pamela almost every Saturday, but did not know their names. This week's winner is Joy Wendling. Remember to fill out your ballot each week - the table is set up in the back foyer near the washrooms. Good Luck!

We have some fun events planned for the remainder of the season - we are aiming for one 'big event' each month. Canada Celebration, Horton Market Birthday Bash, Canning Demos, and IPM events still to come - check the back foyer of the building for upcoming dates.

Happy Summer and look forward to seeing you at the market!

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

St. Thomas Horton Farmers' Market

2 Manitoba St, St. Thomas, ON

519.777.9529

hortonmarket@hotmail.com

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

Happy Father's Day at the Market...

We had a muggy, hot day last saturday. Our indoor ventilation system was working at full steam (sadly, it is not air conditioning like some thought); we did feel the occasional cool breeze through the building but everyone had to stand still, only to inhale while waiting, then collectively sigh when it had passed, happy to comment on how nice that was. I can honestly say that I was undecided about whether conditions were better indoors or outdoors. And still, we had a great day!

You will be happy to hear that we are giving away chocolate covered strawberries again this Saturday. If you missed these delectable treats last year, please be sure to track one of us down this Saturday. The Promotions committee in partnership with Renee Sarloos of Berry Hill Fruit Farms (also a director of the Board of Management) has put together this tasty little treat - our way of saying Thankyou. Last I heard, 200 strawberries are being dipped in dark chocolate. People asked me last year if they could buy them from me and I think I might have accidentially given a few people more than one. Be sure to Enjoy!

We are also having a little Father's Day contest at the face painting table in the outdoor cafe of the North Pavilion. Help your kids fill out a ballot telling everyone why their Dad is so great. We have a few donated prizes from our vendors and we will draw the name of a lucky Dad every hour.

Remember I mentioned earlier that I would highlight guest vendors' posts? I put this offer out to all our vendors to send me information about their business, their passions, and their path to arriving as a vendor at the Horton Farmers' Market. Following is some interesting information about Annie Adams who has a flair for display at her booth inside the building.

Annie Adams has had a passion for sewing since she was a young child. She remembers wanting to sew just like her Mother and how she would hover and putter around her Mother’s side until she was allowed to sew on her own. Annie raised and sewed for her seven children and now enjoys creating items for her sixteen grandchildren, and two great grandchildren! Although she still enjoys altering the occasional wedding dress, she now prefers to sew less fussy items. She also keeps busy doing volunteer repairs and alterations for the nursing home where her husband resides, as well as for the hospital.

Annie sews for infants, children, adults, seniors, and pets. Here is just a small list of items she can whip up for you....

Aprons, Bibs, Bonnets, Burpie Pads, Receiving Blankets, Infants Fitted Sheet Sets, Book Covers,
Chair Caddy’s, Girl’s Dresses, Girl’s Baby dolls, Children’s Shorts, Boxers, Pyjamas, Children’s Paint Shirts, Beach Bags, Travel Bags, Shoe Bags, Children’s Totes, Pencil Cases, Granny Nightgowns, Seniors “gentlemen’s” bibs, Surgical Caps, Dog scarves, Cat Nip toys, Clothes Pin Bags, Heating Pads, Pot Holders, Placemats, Napkins, Kitchen Hand Towels, Children’s hand Towels, Table Runners, Tea Cozies, Toaster Covers, Ironing Board Covers, Pillow Cases, Wine Bottle “Tuxedos”, Pin cushions.... if it can be sewn, she can sew it!

(Annie seen here to the left with another avid sewer - my Mom)

Retiring from Fabric Land after eighteen years Annie moved from Sudbury to St. Thomas in 2009 due to her husband’s illness and to be with her family. Annie is thrilled to a part of the Horton Farmers' Market where she is able to share her passion for sewing with others. She looks forward to the energy and friendship the market brings each Saturday morning.

If you have a passion for sewing, are interested in learning to sew, or looking for a specific item as a gift or for yourself, Annie welcomes you to stop by her friendly booth for a chat. She takes orders of all sizes!

And lastly from me, Empire Valley Farms will not be at the market this weekend. They are having their 25 year farming anniversary at their home business. You can tour their greenhouses and vegetable fields this weekend both Sat. & Sun, 1-4pm. They are located at 27983 Talbot Line, just west of Wallacetown. If you get a chance to say Hi to them at their home base.

What I love about the market (besides the breakfast sandwich, the uplifting connections made, and the unending gifts it bestows on our community), is that it is so comforting to know that you can trace your food source from farm to fork in one easy visit.

See you at the market,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

Horton Farmers' Market

2 Manitoba St., St. Thomas, ON

hortonmarket@hotmail.com

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

Flowers at the Market....

We had a steady, rhythmic day at the market this past weekend. The weather cooperated and the rain held off. We all speculated on the flow of traffic, whether folks had visited the St. Anne's festival, and what type of day it would turn out to be for the vendors and the customers. One of the ways I gage the day is by the number of breakfast sandwichs sold - 124 this past weekend. That number seems to be right around our new average for the 2010 season!

We have a few new craft vendors at the market. You may have already met Karen from Karen's Kushions - she handcrafts uniquely decorator throw cushions for any room in your home. She is located in the North Pavilion across from Kosic's Greenhouse tomatoes. This week we will have a new vendor: Uniquely Salvaged. Tineke De Jong is an aunt of Amber from Frisa Farm Eggs. She will be bringing outdoor garden decorations made from salvaged items such as old doors and window frames. She will also be in the North Pavilion.

Some vendors are winding down their 2010 market season already as they are gearing up for home-based business. Hertiage Line Herbs are finished at the market for another season but you can visit them at there home-based business at 53443 Heritage Line, Aylmer Ontario. Josie Allosery, located in the South Pavilion with her bedding plants will be finishing soon as well.

We have a new FREE booklet located on the back display shelf - The 2010 Visitor's Guide to Experience Elgin County and St. Thomas. This extensive booklet is published by the County of Elgin and includes many of our market vendors, activities, and festivals happening in Elgin County. Be sure to pick up your free copy and take in all that our amazing county offers.

Thank you to Ray from Farmgate who donated the new flags, flag posts, and installed them on the front of the market building and pavilions. We are proudly displaying the flags of Canada, Ontario, and the City of St. Thomas. They also quickly catch the eye when looking down Manitoba Street from Talbot. A market customer suggested the idea and Ray quickly took the lead on making that happen.

We are looking for music at the market. If you know of anyone who would like to come and entertain a full crowd on a Saturday morning - unplugged and impromtu is best. The musicians are welcome to busk and play in different areas during the morning if they like. Please pass on my contact info to anyone who might be interested.

Congratulations to June Harris who won the customer appreciation draw. The ballots are in the back foyer. We've moved some of the cafe outdoors now at the front so be sure to suggest meeting at the market for your morning coffee and breakfast sandwich!


Be seeing you at the market!

(P.S. - Thankyou to my Aunt Patti for the amazing photos every week. She has been sending them to the St. Thomas Weekly News for publishing as well - good times at the Market!)


Tricia Herbert
Market Manager
St. Thomas Horton Farmers' Market
2 Manitoba St., St. Thomas, ON
519-777-9529
hortonmarket@hotmail.com
http://www.hortonfarmersmarket.blogspot.com/

Good Things Grow in Ontario.....

Strawberries are happening this weekend at the market. Look for the return of Berry Hill Fruit Farms with loads of fresh strawberries. We have a few more vendors returning within the next few weekends including Kim McCarvell of Green Leaf Pastry, DeBackere Farms, and RGrow Farms.

According to the Foodland Ontario Fruits and Vegetables Availability Guide, the following produce is available in June: Green Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cherries, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Onions, Peas, Radicchio, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Spinach, Sprouts, Strawberries, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes (Greenhouse). Foodland Ontario also makes the disclaimer, on behalf of all farmers and market managers I am sure, that availability dates may change by several weeks with respect to rare varieties and/or weather conditions. My favourite farm fresh dish at this time of year is a simple spinach salad with a light oil dressing. I build on the salad as the bounty expands; this week I will be adding fresh strawberries to the mix.

Remember that customer survey so many of you kindly completed? The results are in and you can view the report by hopping over here. We had a high response rate with many positive results and comments about the market. Many of the suggestions for improvement were implemented over this past off-season including the new ventilation system. Did you notice the difference this past weekend inside the building?

I was not at the market but the weather was beautiful - I was told the temperature inside the building upon first arrival was 85 degrees. Within an hour, the fan circulated the hot air outside and brought the temperature down to a comfortable 72 degrees. There was much discussion and debate last year about how to effectively cool that building without air conditioning and this conclusion seems to be doing very well.

Congratulations last week to Ann Marie Cheung who won the customer appreciation draw and this week to Darlene Unwin. Vendors contribute to the goodie basket each week to provide an amazing prize for the winners. The vendor's and the market's way of saying Thank You. The ballots and the entry box for the draw are in the back foyer of the building by the washrooms - remember to fill out a ballot each week.

Did you take home any apple fritters last week? The folks from the Dutch Bakery had to return to their kitchen twice to restock their market table. We had another record day for vendor sales. This mailing list goes out to 500+ customers (of which we do not share/sell the list with any one else) and I know that it reaches even more as several of you pass it on to your contacts. If you are receiving this via that channel and would like to sign up - send me an email and I will make it happen. Many thanks for spreading the word.

See you at the market!

Cheers,

Tricia Herbert

Market Manager

St. Thomas Horton Farmers' Market

2 Manitoba St., St. Thomas, ON

519-777-9529

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

hortonmarket@hotmail.com