Summer may be over but the best of summer is now at our local farmers’ markets.
You’ve no doubt seen those signs and bumper stickers that say, “If you ate today, thank a farmer.” So now you can really thank a farmer for the food you are enjoying by visiting a local farmers’ market.
This is the best time of year to shop at the markets! Everything from apples to zucchini is in abundance, and you are getting the freshest produce available. Some markets carry not only locally produce but bring in the best from other parts of the province like the Holland Marsh and the Niagara region, so you really have a lot of juicy choices.
In addition to the freshest fruits and vegetables, and other foods like jams, jellies, pickles, maple syrup, and baked goods, you will find a variety of other locally produced items including jewellery, clothing, woodworking, and other artistic creations. Some markets even have local musicians on hand to entertain you.
Of course shopping locally is always important, and there are so many good reasons to do so. I’ve talked about that here before. Soon, it will be time to think about our holiday shopping, and we need to avoid those mega-sales in the mega-malls and stores. It’s so important to shop locally, especially during the holidays and the quieter winter months. Some farmers’ markets have an Indoor Market on special days, or all year round. Check the markets in your community, so that you can continue to support our farmers and local producers for all of their hard work, and thank them.
There are a number of markets in this area, and you’ll find them almost any day of the week. So far, I haven’t found a market that operates on Mondays, but if you know of one, please let me know. Be sure to check out your municipality for your local markets, and if you’re out on a road trip and happen to see a market—stop in! I haven’t been able to get to all of these markets, so I’ve only shared a few photos here.
Farmers’ markets are an important part of our communities and another great way to shop locally. There are only a few days left at the outdoor markets, so mark your calendars!
Here’s a list of the markets in this area.
Napanee
Market Square, behind Town Hall
124 John Street, Napanee
Every second Saturday, May to October, 9 a.m. To 2 p.m.
Indoor Market, November 19, Strathcona Paper Centre
Kingston
Springer Market Square (City Hall)
216 Ontario Street, Kingston
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (some may come earlier and stay later)
April to November
Memorial Centre Farmers Market
303 York Street
Sundays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Outdoors May to October
Indoors November to May
CFB Kingston
11 Navy Way
Wednesdays, 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Queen’s University
Stouffer Library, Union St./University Av
Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Community Harvest
11 Weller Av
Wednesdays, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Westbrook Market
3526 Princess St
Wednesdays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Odessa Farmers’ Market
Lions’ Club Fairgrounds (Hwy 2 and County Rd 6)
Fridays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
2 Mill St (across from Firehall)
1st and 3rd Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Prince Charles Public School, 6875 Highway 38, Verona
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Public Beach
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Centennial Park
Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Downtown Belleville Farmers Market
Market Square, City Hall
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, 7 a.m to 6 p.m.
Year round
Local Business Matters 
I love my Farmers Market shopping trips. With the drought of this year you should really thank these farmers in our area for all the extra work that went into growing the produce they have on their tables. Ask them they will tell you. Great article Christine and thank you for the shopping market list. Some of them I did not know. There are great things for all seasons at the markets.Local shopping helps us all. G
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You are so right, B, that we owe our farmers an extra dose of gratitude for this year’s crops. It’s been such a challenging growing season. It might seem early, but doing some holiday shopping at the markets–even ones that close up in October–is a great idea. There are some unique things that will make great gifts!
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Christine: I am so with you in supporting local vendors; whether it is food or artistic creations. Lately I have found that when buying gifts for friends that most of them have too much ‘stuff’ in their lives and I turn to the market and buy consumables like honey, maple syrup, jams etc These gifts are always appreciated.
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We used to have a small market in Hastings, but now it seems to be only a few craft booths. Fifteen minutes away, in Campbellford, there is a very good one. My favourite though, is Peterborough’s.
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