Local vendors gear up for a busy change in season
The Guelph Farmers’ Market has been located many places since it originated in Guelph in 1856, but has yet to leave the original Market Square block. The market is currently located at 2 Gordon Street in the old horse barns of the Provincial Winter Fair and can accommodate over 120 vendors in the summer months.
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Doug’s Honey
I’ve been a vender at the Guelph Farmers’ Market since 1984,” said owner Doug Eiche. “I am the bee keeper and the strength of my business is that I have bees in five locations and I never blend the honeys together. That’s what gives me a variety of local flavours.”Doug locates his hives around wildflowers and hand-planted trees untouched by chemicals and pollution, so that his bees will produce wildflower honey and other unique flavours.
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Kupferschmidt Family Specialty Meats and Produce
“The business was first started by my mom and dad,” said Mark Kupferschmidt. “When we first started, we focused on selling fresh eggs, but we since have grown and now sell a variety of specialty meats and produce.”The Kupferschmidt family makes their specialty meats by hand; their burgers are made by grinding the meat and mixing in fresh ingredients.
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Royal Rose Garden
Royal Rose Garden has been a staple at the Guelph Farmers’ Market for almost 40 years and can be found selling an array of flowers, plants, and fresh fruit.
“During the season, we have a pick your own blueberries event at our blueberry patch,” said owner Jovan Ugrnov.“We welcome anybody with their children to come pick their own.”
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The Grain Revolution
The Grain Revolution, run by baker Dave McRae, has set up shop at the Guelph Farmers’ Market for approximately six years. Along with locally-made bread, the Grain Revolution also sells a variety of baked goods including muffins and homemade mixed granola.
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Blue Water Creamery
Blue Water Creamery is Guelph’s first small batch ice cream company, specializing in unique non-dairy flavours.
“We love local food, so the Farmers’ Market gives us the ability to source local ingredients when they are in season and that’s the only time you’ll get those certain flavours, such as strawberry or a blueberry crumble,” said co-owner John Pusic.“We also do other flavours that you can’t really get anywhere else, like a matcha green tea ginger and golden milk.”