Students can support local and enjoy fresh produce at the St. Catharines Farmers’ Market.
Every Thursday from 8 a.m to 2 p.m and Saturday from 7 a.m to 1 p.m., a host of local businesses and vendors gather at the St. Catharines Farmers’ Market to sell fresh produce and artisanal goods.
At the stand for Neufeld Family Farms, when the season allows, you can find sweet corn, peppers, squash, asparagus and more: essentially “everything under the sun,” said owner Tom Neufeld. Right now, they specialize mostly in potatoes – with a plethora of different varieties – as well as cuts of meat and eggs.
Con Gusto Bakery specializes in artisanal breads, pastries, croissants, custom-order cakes and more. On the other side of the pavilion, Morning Jams and Jellies create various sweet and spicy jams, with their Bumbleberry Jam one of their most popular.
NB Distillers’ stand is run by Cheryl, who also sells crocheted designs as Cheryl’s Custom Creations. NB is based out of Welland and sells a variety of unexpected, homemade liquors, with flavours like Hibiscus & Rose Gin and Cardamom Vodka.
Adam’s Flora is a local shop on St. Paul Street, and their stand features a variety of plants, plant products, artisanal crafts like crochet stuffed animals, and more. Soi & Grace Candles sells a variety of handcrafted candles with subtle yet powerful scents.
These are only a few of the many vendors at the market, which also sell cheese, meat, honey and more. The only way to get a better sense of the St. Catharines Farmers’ Market is to go and see for yourself. Supporting the local industry is one of the most crucial elements of attending the farmers’ market.
Tom, whose family has been selling Neufeld produce at the St. Catharines Farmers’ Market since 1932 – making them the market’s longest-serving vendors – said that markets like this provide locals with the opportunity to buy ethically sourced, responsible food. He said that Canadians can grow all the vegetables they need without relying on supermarkets, where the supply chain is murkier.
He also said that farmers’ markets give local farmers some publicity and allows them to form relationships with their customers. There are some people he’s serviced for three generations, he said, and it’s very gratifying to hear people say ‘thank you.’
Fabia Zampieron, maker and owner of Morning Jams and Jellies, has only been serving at the market for a few weeks. However, she’s already found that some people come back week after week to restock their favourite items. She said that providing samples and getting feedback on their flavours is a much different experience than running a store. Most importantly, she noted that when people come back, they help support the business; even on a freezing cold day, she finds people showing up for more jam.
Cheryl said that supporting local businesses was “a no-brainer,” noting that everyone at the market works hard to keep people happy and healthy. In a grocery store, products are shipped from different countries, she said, but at these markets, you get somebody’s heart and soul. Many people make crafted items as well, like Cheryl herself, and the market allows them to make a living – or even just a side hustle – doing something they love.
It’s all about community, especially for Con Gusto Bakery. They are a living wage employer, everything is made fresh daily and when the market closes, whatever they don’t sell goes to Community Care St. Catharines to feed those in need.
The St. Catharines Farmers’ Market is a place to get local, quality farm and artisanal goods. Students interested in checking it out should be wary, though, of vendors who do not sell their own products. Vendors selling produce that’s not in season is a fairly sure-fire way to know they’re not legitimate, but the MyPick program is also a good way to tell: if a vendor supports a MyPick logo, they’re selling their own produce.
But the best way to know is by talking to the vendors and learning about their business and the process that goes into it. Forming relationships is the most important part of a farmers’ market, and perhaps the most fun as well; these are people selling you their hard work, a trait lost in the age of the supermarket.