Farmers' Market- Front Street Farmers' Market OPENS May for the 2013 Market Season!

Location: Farmer Market (Map It)

The Quinte West Farmers' Market is located on Front Street along the Trent River waterfront in downtown Trenton.

The Farmers' Market is held annually on  Thursdays and Saturdays of each week from the first Saturday in May until the first Saturday in November. Market hours are from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on each market day.

Throughout the season, the Farmers' Market showcases a variety of locally grown produce, home baking, crafts, and entertainment.

Any vendors interested in acquiring a license to take part in the Quinte West Farmers' Market for the 2013 season are encouraged to contact Chris Edwards-Scott, Economic Development Coordinator, for the City of Quinte West.

2013 Farmers' Market Vendor Package

Two market spaces are made available on any market day for use of City of Quinte West Non-Profit Organizations at no charge. The space will be available for use on a "first come-first served" basis. Reservations must be made in the office of the City Clerk or with the Market Clerk at least one week in advance.

Musicians and entertainers interested in showcasing talent at the Farmer's Market can call the City of Quinte West for more information.

In addition to visiting our Farmers' Market, we invite you to make your way through the scenic byways of Quinte West, a rich agricultural region, with many roadside fruit and vegetable stands and a number of country stores boasting unique local delicacies and treasures. Immerse yourself in the landscape as you tour routes created for food enthusiasts, wine lovers, and antique/art collectors.

Meet Your 2013 Front Street Farmers' Market Vendors

Natural Themes Native Plant Nursery

Natural Themes offers fruits and vegetables grown chemical free.  These are available at the market as they come into season as well as native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, and ferns from May through October.

All of the produce is grown on Natural Themes farm and unheated greenhouse located at 219 Maybee Rd near Frankford where Bea Heissler and Dan Navrot strive to support natural balance as much as possible.  For current listing of produce available check www.navheifarms.com and for native plants, check www.naturalthemes.com

J. Grimson Farms

Jeff Grimson runs a local produce farm at 716 Will Johnson Road, Frankford and works in Trenton.  J. Grimson Farms is one of a few potatoes farmer in the area and they have a great reputation for the quality of their potatoes They plant them in May and will have the first crop of potatoes available in July.

“In addition to different types of potatoes we sell a wide variety of fruits and vegetables at the Front Street Farmers’ Market, and at our farm gate stand, all of which have been grown by us,” said Jeff Grimson.  “We are eagerly awaiting the upcoming 2013 growing season and we look forward to seeing you all again this year.  

“If you would like to know what we are up too and what’s happening on the farm. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/J.GrimsonFarms or check J. Grimson Farms”

“During the growing season you can buy vegetables at the market or our roadside stand,” said Grimson. “There are tomatoes, beans, potatoes, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, cantaloupe, onions and the list goes on. All vegetables are grown at the farm.” located at 716 Will Johnson Road, Frankford.

George and Sandra Cote

George and Sandra Cote started woodworking as a hobby back in the early 90s, and it has grown from there. George retired from the military and worked at the Beaver Lumber and Sears. Wood working is his blood as his grandfather was a wood worker. Sandra used to decorate bird boxes and window boxes, and do floral displays. Now, she has cut back and concentrates on painting cat and dog dish holders for Christmas.

They both love birds and feed birds in their backyard all winter. Before starting, George researched bird feeds and bird boxes on the internet and come up with his unique designs. He now builds his bird boxes and bird feeders out of natural cedar and his martin boxes out of pine. He says it is best not to paint bird boxes. Cedar does not need preservative and ages naturally. This is better for the birds.

He buys locally harvested cedar and pine from Quinn Forest Products, and Rona provides him with cedar shakes for the roofs.

Their bird feeders range from $15 to $150. George also builds butterfly houses and bat boxes. He will make individual orders, for example, for blue bird boxes. George did a unique order for a number of pine bird house for the Arts Quinte West. Local artists painted the bird boxes. These, now colourful, bird boxes are for sale at the Arts Quinte West Gallery.

Sandra and George show their work at the Front Street Farmers’ Market, and at craft fairs through out southern Ontario. They are members of the Quinte Region Craft Guild, and they organize three big craft shows a year. There are two at the Knights of Columbus Hall, and one at Bayside Secondary School. They make sure all the products are handmade and locally. Crafts include wood, jewelry, knitting, ceramics and candles.

George and Sandra Cote are located at 10 1/2 Devere Gardens, in Trenton. They can be reached at (613) 394-3167.

Margaret York

Margaret York is a very experienced knitter, and this shows in the quality of her work and her attention to detail. She has been knitting for over 50 year. First, she knitted for her children, then for her grandchildren, and now she knits for her great grandchildren and for the Front Street Farmers’ Market. She spends the winter knitting, in the company of her many cats. By the spring, she has bins of garments, baby blankets and afghans ready for the market.

Three years ago she had heard an announcement on CJBQ about the farmers market in Trenton and thought she would like to go. This is her fourth year at the Front Street Farmers’ Market.

“I have made lots of friends at the market and I enjoy meeting people coming in to the market from all the boats,” said Margaret York. “I have met people from the British Virgin Islands stopping in Trenton, people from North Carolina, from Florida and Savannah. They come to the market early in the morning to buy vegetables. I even sent a tea cosy to Ohio.”

She uses Red Heart yarn for most of her knitting as it washes and dries well. This is important with baby sets and children’s sweaters. She knits slippers using the traditional Phentex yarn as it is hard wearing. Her baby clothes are bright and cheerful. Margaret does not stick to traditional colours for boys and girls as she likes colour. A friend of hers make socks for her to sell at her stall.

If you are looking for a special sweater or something unique for a new grandchild, go to the Front Street Farmer’s Market and find Margaret. If you do not see what you are looking for, Margaret can knit it for you.

Margaret York can be reached at 147 Clair Street, Thomasburg, ON K0K 3H0 or by phone at 613-478-6774.

We will continue to update the Front Street Farmers' Market 2013 Vendor Profiles as they become available. Please check back regularly.