Our Farmers
This page is all about the vendors at our market!
MyPick® identifies the true heroes of Ontario’s farmers’ markets.
The MyPick® verification program grew out of a real need. Shoppers at Ontario farmers’ markets often thought they were buying directly from local farmers when in fact they were buying from resellers. They had no way of knowing which vendors were which
Now they do, thanks to the MyPick® verification program from Farmers’ Markets Ontario®. Now, when you see a vendor displaying a MyPick® sign, you can be sure you’re getting just–picked freshness from the grower’s own farm, and are helping support local agriculture.
http://www.farmersmarketsontario.com/mypick/
APPLEMEADOW
Owners: Steve and Linda VandenBorre
Contact: steve@applemeadow.com
When at market: June to October
Steve and Linda VandenBorre’s farm has been in the family for forty-six years, bought originally by Steve’s parents, who immigrated from Belgium in 1956. Burgessville was one of the leading Apple districts of Canada due to the Apple Co-operative and Allen Vinegar works!
The VandenBorres have been attending Covent Garden farmers’ market for ten years, starting the year after the market opened.
BLANBROOK BISON FARM
Owners: Bruce & Shirley Mills
Contact: blanbrook@quadro.net
Like them on facebook! www.facebook.com/BlanbrookBisonFarm
When at market: May to December
Blanbrook Bison Farm is 100 acres owned and operated by Bruce and Shirley Mills of RR6 St Marys. They are one of the original vendors at the Covent Garden Farmer’s Market since it opened in 2000.
Bruce and Shirley have been in the bison business for 19 years. the first truck load of 13 animals arrived on May 1, 1992. Their herd has since grown to 96 animals. The animals graze on pasture and are fed hay in the winter. The butcher animals are given oats and barley on a daily basis. No growth hormones or steroids are used on the animals.
Bison meat is sweeter than beef without the gamey taste. It is high in iron and protein and lower in fat and cholesterol. They sell frozen bison meat and fresh, when available. They carry a wide assortment of cuts such as ground, burgers, steaks, roasts and sausage. All of the meat is boneless and vacuumed sealed.
BLUEBERRY HILL
Owner: Irene Puddester
contact: ipuddester@live.com
When at market: July
Irene’s blueberries are wildly popular at our market, so come early during blueberry season to get yours!
BOLEY FARMS
Owner: Dan Boley
Contact: 519-401-6786
This is the second year for Boley Farms at our market with tasty peaches, plums and apricots.
THE CORN CRIB
Owners: Kim and Dave Vegso
Contact: 519-245-3666
When at market: July to September
The Corn Crib’s yellow corn is a huge hit!
DAVE’S BEEF & LAMB
Owners: Dave and Mary DeKay
Contact: dmdekay@isp.ca
When at market: May to October
Dave Dekay runs a mixed farm just outside the city limits. He has been raising lambs for 32 years, and beef cattle for almost 10 years. Dave is committed to raising lean, flavourful meat that meets his customers’ expectations.
DOLWAY ORGANIC GARDEN
Owner: John Wilson
Contact: dolwayorganicgarden@sympatico.ca
When at Market: May to November
John grows an extensive variety of certified organic vegetables and herbs that are sold across southwestern Ontario. Well known for his delicious ‘bloomsdale’ spinach, tasty rhubarb, crunchy carrots, and garlic, John adds new products every year to keep everybody on their toes.
Check out th
eir farm blog! http://www.dolwayorganicgarden.com
ECO LOGIC FARM
Owner: Rick Cornelissen
Contact: ecologic2001@gmail.com
When at Market: May to December
Rick, a certified horticulturalist, started Eco Logic in 2001, and has been at the Covent Garden Farmers’ market since then.
He has 9 greenhouses and cold-frames where he grows a variety of vegetables, and nursery stock. He also does landscape design and installation, and during the winter months has a vegetable delivery program. Rick grows Christmas trees and produces Christmas decorations, and propagates rare and native Carolinian seedlings.
Eco Logic is a popular stop at our farmers’ market with their wide range of product.
EMPIRE VALLEY FARMS
Owners: Dave & Joy Westelaken
Contact: empire@amtelecom.net
When at market: late may to November
Empire Valley Farm is owned and operated by the Westelaken family. They have been farming since 1985, with their on-farm market built in 1993. They expanded into the greenhouse in 2003.
Their on-farm market, is open until the end of October with their fresh, home grown seasonal produce. check out their website: www.empirevalleyfarms.com
FAIR HAVEN MISSION FARM
Owners: Glenda and Ken Dezell-Radke
Contact: fairhavenmissionfarm@msn.com
When at market: May to December
Fair Haven Mission Farm has been a vendor at Covent Garden Farmers’ Market since 2000. Glenda and her husband Ken have fresh or frozen trout available, all from their spring fed ponds.
Their farm is in Arkona, half way between London and Sarnia, which is handy as they are vendors at both our London market and the Sarnia Farmers’ Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Glenda is also very busy on their farm, where they have public fishing, fishing lessons, a picnic area, nature walks, snowshoeing, an outdoor education centre, and birds watching. She is also a breeder of budgies, Americana chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, and Nubian goats. Wow, this lady is busy!
Glenda does find time to make home-made preserves and jams for her market stall, as well as some baking and crafts.
FEED YOUR BODY
Owner: Tara Ott
Contact: info@feedyourbody.ca
When at market: May to October
This is the first year for Feed Your Body at our market. She focus’ on raw, vegan and gluten free foods. Feed Your Body has become a popular stop at our market. Check out their website and blog!www.feedyourbody.ca http://feedyourbody-taraott.blogspot.ca/
FIELDGATE ORGANICS
Contact: 519-679-9998
FieldGate Organics has been part of the indoor market since 2000. As of today they have 39 certified organic members, and strive to carry as much local product as possible. They are outside every Saturday offering up delicious samples of their products.
HAPPY HOGS HOMESTEAD
Owner: Christine Weber-Godelle
Contact: happyhogshomestead@gmail.com
When at market: Mid June to July
This is the first year at our market for Happy Hogs Homestead. We are looking forward to tasting their heritage, naturally raised pork and heritage turkey. Christine has lots of great cooking tips as well. Have you tried barbecuing turkey? Ask her how.
HOWE FARMS
Owner: Monica Howe
Contact: monica.howe@hotmail.com
When at market: mid June to mid July
This is the place to go for your local strawberries. They pick them fresh in the morning before the market opens. Their strawberries are a real treat.
INTERNATIONAL BAKERY
Owner: Bruno Bertucci
Contact:519-672-8280
When at market: May to December
International Bakery has been baking fresh breads, rolls, cookies, muffins, and cakes for more than 50 years. A family run business, International Bakery has been a fixture in the Covent Garden Market for many years. International Bakery joins us outside with their Artisan breads.
JANSSEN’S FAMILY FARM
Owner: Raymond Janssen’s
Contact: 519-289-2499
When at market: Thursdays, July to December
Ray has been coming to our farmers’ market since it started in 2000. He sells a wide variety of apples, strawberries, and many more local vegetables and fruit.
JOYCE FARMS
Owners: Mike and Heather Joyce
Contact: heatherjoyce45@hotmail.com
When at Market: June to October
Joyce farms is a popular vendor with a wide selection of locally grown vegetables and fruits.
KEYSER GROVE NUT ORCHARD
Owner: Linda Powell
Contact: powell@xcelon.ca
When at market: September and October
Locally grown tree nuts, chestnuts, walnuts. Sample their roasted chestnuts!
LAVENDER SENSE
Owner: Pamela Anderson
Contact: pj@andersontraining.com
When at Market: July to September
Beautiful local lavender and lavender products.
LEONARD PENNER FAMILY FARM
Owner: Leonard Penner
contact: 519-692-7276
When at market: May to December
Lots of wonderful vegetables!
LOAF
Owner: Penelope Holt
Contact: ladyp.holt@gmail.com
When at market: May to December
If you are looking for bread reminiscent of your last European vacation, then LOAF is the place for you to shop. Penelope uses wholesome local ingredients, organic when possible, and has a strong loyal following for her classic ‘levain’.
LYNCH FARMS
Owners: Lorraine & Hugh Lynch
Contact: lorrainelynch@sympatico.ca
When at market: May to December
Lynch Farms has been coming to the outdoor Farmers Market for ten years with their maple products and preserves.
What’s more Canadian than maple syrup? Hugh and Lorraine have a wonderful selection of not only maple syrup, but also maple butter, maple candies, and home-made preserves. This year Lorraine is adding Asian maple salad dressing to her product line.
MADE FROM SCRATCH
Owner: Dee Biggar
Contact: deebiggar@rogers.com
Dee Biggar has been at the Farmers’ Market with her irresistible squares, butter tarts, and muffins, since it opened. She bakes with real, honest ingredients, no preservatives, additives or fillers.
The past few years Dee has had an increasing interest in gluten free and ‘healthier’ baking. She is always experimenting with new recipes and new ideas for her market stall. Pick up a loyalty card which is for customers who bring their own reusable containers. Great idea!
MCCLYMONT CENTURY ORCHARD
Owners: Ben Driscoll and Crystal Whyte and Brian and Kerri Whyte
contact: driwhyte@tcc.on.ca
When at market: September to October
McClymont Century Orchards has been growing apples on the same farm since 1845. They are sixth generation apple farmers. The family farm is located 2km south of Varna on the Parr line. They have 24 varieties of apples, 13 of which are heritage. Bartlett and bosc pears, and a few plums. They will have MacIntosh, Cortland, Spartan, St. Lawerance, Snow, King, Empire, Red Delicious, Crispin, Sweet Tomlin, Wolf River, and Northern Spy, available at different times this fall.
MONFORTE DAIRY
Owner: Ruth Klahsen
Contact: info@monforedairy.com
When at market: May to December
“At Monforte, we’re convinced the small things do indeed make a difference, that agriculture is best practiced on a human scale, and that our cheeses, each in its own quiet way, reflect something a little deeper than the technology behind mass manufactured food—a little of the poetry and passion of life itself.”
Ruth Klahsen is the owner/lead cheesemaker of Monforte. She was a graduate of the inaugural class of ‘83 at the Stratford Chefs School.
Some of the cheeses at Monforte include feta, halloumi, pecorino fresco, and toscano from sheeps’ milk; and chevre, crème fraiche and ricotta from goats’ milk. Try some this Saturday!
RENECKER’S PALACE HILLSIDE FARM
Owners: Lyle, Teresa, and Johannes Renecker
Contact: renecker.farm@quadro.net
When at market: June to September
The Reneckers offer a varied selection of grass fed elk meat products weekly. The elk are raised on “Renecker’s Palace Hillside Farm”, a 100 acre farm located outside of Stratford, Ontario. The farm has been handed down, father to son, since 1880, thus making Johannes the 5th consecutive generation to work the land and raise livestock.
Elk meat is naturally lean and higher in protein, B vitamins, and iron than the comparable cut of beef. Because elk is a very fine-grained lean meat, it cooks in about ½ the time that beef does. The Reneckers work with chef Peter Dufferin who takes their product home to his kitchen (just like yours) and develops recipes and cooking ideas.
The Reneckers don’t use antibiotics, growth stimulants or other drugs in the raising of their elk. These are truly pasture-raised animals and the Reneckers raise all the feed the elk consume on their farm. Since elk are native to North America, they are truly an environmentally friendly meat option. Producing a native species, the elk, and working with the animals natural and innate behavior allows the Reneckers to produce what they feel is a truly eco-friendly and sustainable product for local consumption.
ROMA PRODUCE
Owner: Robert Matthews
Contact: rtmatthews@rogers.com
When at market: End of June to end of September
Roma Produce has been at our farmers’ market for several years with their excellent selection of cherry tomatoes and other produce.
SMITH CHEESE
Owner: Glenda Smith
Contact: 519-434-9643
Smith Cheese has more than 220 varieties of cheese to choose from. Local is their specialty! Every Saturday Smith Cheese partners with Fieldgate Orgnaics and serve up some scrumptious samples at our outdoor market.
SOILED REPUTATION
Owner: Antony John
Contact: johnfam@quadro.net
When at market: May to December
After an early childhood in Wales spent exploring the countryside, Antony moved to Ontario with his family at the age of ten. He obtained a degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Guelph, and then moved to Sebringville, Ontario, with his wife Tina, to work on his father-in-law’s dairy farm.
In 1995, he and Tina, after buying her parents’ second farm, formed Soiled Reputation, which is certified organic fields and greenhouses that supply gourmet greens and heirloom vegetables to restaurants, markets, and homes in southwestern Ontario and the General Toronto Area.
You may have heard of Antony before, because in 2001, Antony and Tina had their farm showcased as hosts of “The Manic Organic” on Canada’s Food Network and House and Garden TV. The show was subsequently sold to over 50 countries around the world, including the Discovery Home Channel in the U.S.
Anyone who loves their organics should check out the Soiled Reputation website (www.soiledreputation.com) to learn about awesome initiatives like “homey bags”, merchandise, and more.
TIRAMISU
Owner: Danielle DiPinto
Contact: 519-850-7619
When at market: May to December
“Tiramisu” means “pick me up”, which is what Danielle’s flaky scones and melt-in-your-mouth baking does for you! Danielle is a wildly popular stop for our market customers. Come early because she sells out fast!
WILDFLOWER HONEY
Owner: Robert Leadlay, Apiculturist
Contact: robair@sympatico.ca
When at market: May to December
Robert Leadlay started at our market in 2009 with his delicious liquid honey.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITES UNLIMITED (Y.O.U.)
Since 1982 Youth Opportunities Unlimited has helped lead youth in London and Middlesex County toward success. We believe that investing in youth and strong communities go hand-in-hand. We know that many youth need guidance and support to reach their true potential. We work with our business, community and government partners to address youths’ most pressing needs. Through Transition, Career and Enterprise Services we provide youth with the training, skills development, supports and referrals they need to develop their potential and lead positive lives.
Y.O.U. has been participating in our farmers’ market for several years, selling their preserves and sauces. Their Black jack BBQ sauce is a huge favourite.
