613 966 3352“ConsignmentsFrom The Very BestClosets In Town”20%discountOn one item to maximum$10 coupon valueDonna Russett of Russett Farms sells baked goods, beef, quilts and cloth baby books at the Stirling Farmer’s MarketPhoto: Angela HawnSommerville CentreHighway 62 North, Belleville613.966.3352dejavuboutique@hotmail.comAll your looks- just one place!• Special OccasionDresses/Bridal• Casual/Cruise wear• Jewellery/Accessories• Sizes 4-24• Special orders arealways welcomethe Frock Shop Ltd.Dressing you in styleSommerville center6835 hwy. #62N., Belleville613.967.1817Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pmket and buying something from a local farmer.Score two if you bicycled or walked to get there!“The closer it is, the fresher it is,” notes Tapp,adding the Belleville market operates accordingto a bylaw which requests market items originateno more than 100km away.That said, expect the odd exception to the rule,notably Beamsville fruit grower John Clayson.The Clayson family’s claim to a market stallthree hours drive from home literally “grandfathered”itself into place around 70 years ago.That’s when John’s grandfather first started sellingNiagara region bounty in Belleville.“He sells everything: cherries, nectarines,peaches,” Tapp ticks off a tasty-sounding list.“When the peaches are done, you know he’s justabout done, too.”Delve deeper into Hastings County and you’llfind not all of the smaller markets abide by the100km guideline. Haas says she doesn’t like toget bogged down under too many rules, claimingthey can be a market’s downfall.“If they’re willing to come and we’ve gotroom, we’ll take them,” she says, adding longweekends and special events such as Maynooth’supcoming Highland Games often bring out 40or more vendors.Practical Jocelyn Reilly, busy mom to fourchildren under the age of six and farmers’ marketcontact for Stirling chimes in with a realist’sperspective. Although Reilly likes to supportfood grown and raised locally, she knows marketshopping doesn’t work for everyone.“Often there are seasonal limitations,” she notes.“And some people just find it cheaper to buy theirproduce at grocery stores. At some point the bottomline comes in, but with a market it’s travelledless and it’s probably had less pesticide.”“Excuse me, what did youspray on this?”Eating locally often goes hand in hand witheating healthy. Many stalls at today’s marketsproudly describe their wares with adjectivessuch as “organic” or “hormone-free.” And buyingyour food from a local grower/producerautomatically earns the shopper questioningprivileges.“If you’re buying produce from the farmer,”notes Tapp, “you can ask them ‘did you spraythat or how did you grow this?’”Tapp paints a picture of market shoppers asoften highly-educated and always curious. Anxiousto know what they’re putting into theirbodies before they open their pocketbooks, theylike to keep informed.Up in Madoc, Blakely acknowledges the vitalrole conversation between shopper and veggieseller plays in the whole marketing experience.Chatting about the goods is all part of the fun.“We don’t have too many gardens in this areathat produce enough vegetables in the quantityneeded to support a regular market,” she admits,“but whenever we’ve had organic products,they’ve always sold well.”Looking for something a littleout of the ordinary?Not hungry? Maybe it’s not food you’re after.Don’t let that stop you from making the marketyour shopping destination of choice. If you’reseeking that one-of-kind, nobody-else-has-anything-like-itgift, this is the place to go.12 I <strong>Country</strong> <strong>Roads</strong> • <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2013</strong>
Organic veggies are available at the Maynooth Farmer’sMarket Photo: Christine HassClifford Foster with his maple syrup at Belleville Market.Photo: Angela HawnShannon Merrill shows off her beautiful jewellery andcandles on an exceptionally windy day at the StirlingFarmer’s Market Photo: Angela HawnBelleville artist/vendor Lisa Morris denouncesgoods bought at the mall as “cookie-cutter.” Farbetter to go local and unique, she advises. Artand jewellery at the stall she shares with partnerPeter Paylor utilize recycled items, as wellas reclaimed wood.“It’s all local, all ecological,” she insists, addingone of the pluses she offers includes the abilityto create a made-to-order twin for that soloearring whose mate has gone missing.Whether it’s some woodworking treasure inMarmora or framed photos of local wildlife fromMadoc’s cottage country, stained glass or beautifulbracelets crafted from old silver spoons‘North of 7,’ the list of unique items availablegoes on and on. Perhaps that cute birdhouse atTrenton’s market caught your eye. Looking fora special baby gift? Go to Stirling to find handmadetraining pants and bibs.All that shopping can work up an appetite but,fortunately, unusual market items are often edible,too. Try some omega-3-rich hemp treats,available in versions for both human and dogconsumption. Or perhaps a full Scottish Haggisis more your cup of tea (and for the faint ofheart, maybe just some Haggis links!) Discerningshoppers can find both at Belleville’s farmers’market.Take a slight detour off Highway 62 to findmouth-watering Coe Hill baked goods, all madefrom Red Fife flour, grown and milled just southof Madoc. Further north, Chris Drost claims herfarmer step-son frequently wows urban touristsat the Bancroft market with his home-grownproduce. Something extraordinary can translateinto something as simple as brussels sprouts stillattached to their stalk, presented as Mother Natureintended them.Eating locally oftengoes hand in hand witheating healthy.Red Hot SavingsWhen you’re hot you’re hot!And right now we’re offering the hottest deals yet onMassey Ferguson sub compact and compact tractors.So act fast and Save big!Come see us soon or vist www.mckeownmotors.netMcKeown Motor SalesSpringbrook, Ontario K0K 3C0613-395-3883 • Toll Free 1-800-465-9297 • Fax: 613-395-2652Massey Ferguson is a worldwide brand of AGCO. © 2010 AGCO Corporation, 4205 River Green Parkway, Duluth, GA 30096 (877) 525-4384<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2013</strong> • <strong>Country</strong> <strong>Roads</strong> I13
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