How to Build a Bay of Quinte Charcuterie Board with Local Finds
The Bay of Quinte is packed with delicious finds made right here in the region, including small-batch cheeses and cured meats, freshly baked goods, beverages, preserves, and handcrafted chocolates. My best friend, Tab, and I set out on a food-fuelled road trip to gather the best local ingredients, stopping at more than a dozen shops, farms, and markets with a bit of snacking along the way. Our loop took us from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory through Belleville, Quinte West, and Brighton before wrapping up back in Napanee with our baskets full and ready to build the ultimate locally sourced charcuterie spread.
Written by Heidi Csernak
Read time: 6 min
Lily Dolls Farm
122 Airport Rd, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
The sun was cresting the horizon when we arrived at Lily Dolls Farm, which opened its doors in 2020. Here, owner Amie Lewis sells freshly baked goods, pork and chickens raised on her farm, plus a selection of local meat, vegetables and preserves, including Maple Dale Cheese (Belleville).
Upon walking in, we were hit by the aromas of freshly baked donuts and breakfast sandwiches served on English muffins. I asked for one topped with bacon and sausage to kick-start my day, and I selected some chewy caramel bites from the baked goods display to serve on the dessert board.
Wavy
5379 Old Highway 2, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
Next, we stopped at Ryan and Megan’s shop, Wavy, a skateboard and wellness store with locally baked goods and a coffee bar. There were many hot and cold drink choices so I decided to try something new for my caffeine fix: the London Fog, an Earl Grey tea with vanilla syrup and frothed milk.
While in-store, I picked up Eastern Door Espresso and Molly Brant’s Herb & Fruit Medley tea from the Indigenous-owned Two Row Coffee & Tea Company selection.
With breakfast taken care of at Lily Dolls Farm and Wavy’s hot and delicious drink in hand, I was ready to continue my exciting day delving into the Bay of Quinte’s local food scene.
Belleville Farmers' Market
Pinnacle St. (behind City Hall), Belleville
It was a quiet day when we arrived at the year-round market—as it can be on a Tuesday or Thursday. However, Jackie’s Market Stand was set up, selling local produce and goods. So, I bought some jerky and pepperettes made by The Ribcage BBQ, a local Belleville business.
Note: Saturday is the busiest day, with the most vendors at the market. Look for Jack’s Jams & Jellies and Lewa Farms. Don’t forget Sweet Marie’s Tea Biscuits!
Grills Orchards
886 Grills Rd, Quinte West
Next, we made off for Grills Orchards, a popular spot for picking apples and pumpkins during harvest season. The shelves were stocked with local preserves and locally made gifts. I could smell baked goods still in the oven and picked up some Mincemeat Pies, apple cider and multiple fudge flavours.
Note: The online store of “in-stock items” may not reflect what’s carried in-store, especially in the off-season—make sure you call to confirm availability!
La Cultura Salumi
842 Hamilton Rd, Quinte West
I was delighted by La Cultura Salumi’s small yet fantastic location.
Italian imports, olives and oils were in stock, but I was drawn to the large selection of Italian-style air-dried meats. I picked pork cacciatore, black Angus slinzega, salami, and gouda cheese – made with La Cultura Salumi’s own water buffalo milk!
I also purchased a jar of in-house La Bomba – a red pepper and eggplant spread. Spoiler alert: it was incredible!
Family Farms Chicken & More
367 Dundas St W, Quinte West
This beautiful little shop carries regional food and goods from local farms and makers.
I spied a selection of Maple Dale Cheese and County Fare’s no-sugar-added barbeque sauces (Quinte West). I knew I’d have more chances to pick some up later in the trip and something else caught my eye.
I was drawn to the fantastic selection of Harvest Brinery preserves made in Napanee! I bought pickled asparagus, hot red pepper jelly, and rosemary and garlic white wine jelly. At the cash, I couldn’t resist a variety pack from Paradise Tarts (Stirling), and upon checkout, the owner, Yolanda Ellis, gifted me Hastings Meat Market’s (Stirling) beef jerky!
Northumberland Fine Food
39 Richardson St, Brighton
We arrived at Northumberland Fine Food around midday. As we wandered the shop, I spied rows of Sprague soups and chillies (made in Belleville), as well as many other Ontario products in the fine food import store.
After a long morning of browsing and food shopping, I felt peckish, so we headed into the Tasting Lounge to sample the store’s offerings. I enjoyed a Quebec cheese, Seed to Sausage’s Saucisson Sec (Sharbot Lake), a blueberry spread, pickled asparagus and an in-house French Baguette.
Having tasted their crusty, chewy bread, I bought one to bring home. I planned to serve half the baguette fresh and use the rest to make crostinis for the board!
Fawn Over Market
22186 Loyalist Pkwy, Carrying Place (Quinte West)
I admit it: my tasting platter had fuelled my hunger like an appetizer. So when we smelled the freshly baked pizza and focaccia at Fawn Over Market, I had to have a slice. Tab loved her Pepperoni slice and my bacon and jalapeno pizza filled me up.
I found a nice selection of County Fare on the shelves. I grabbed a bottle of their Curry Ketchup, a few cans of County Bounty Artisanal Soda (Napanee), and the last jar of Mirepoix’s (PEC) Pepperoncini left on the shelf.
Lastly, I bought a few made-in-house butter tarts because I can’t resist those little desserts.
Taste of Country
16 Roblin Rd, Belleville
Heading back toward Belleville, we stopped at Taste of Country, and I was amazed at the selection of ToC’s items and local goods.
Luckily, I had a shopping list prepared for this charcuterie road trip, which kept me from overloading my basket with too many items. I bought butterflake buns, baby dills, sweet mustard, and Hawkins Cheezies (Belleville). I perused the rest of the store while resisting temptations to buy more County Bounty Artisanal Soda, Maple Dale Cheese and other local goods.
Donini Chocolate
335 Bell Blvd, Belleville
Next up was Donini Chocolate, which has been making fine chocolates and candy in Belleville since 1980. They have almost 80 years of chocolatier experience, with their origin story starting in Vigevano, Italy!
I perused the selection of confections more than a few times before grabbing a basket. I loaded up with wrapped truffles, peanut butter maple brittle, mini cappuccino biscotti, peanut clusters, yogurt-covered pretzels, and a little ‘emergency’ chocolate bar.
I resisted getting the chocolate-covered blueberries and cherries, but I might not be so lucky next time.
Meyers Creek Brewing Company
60 Dundas St E, Belleville
To round out the beverage options served with the charcuterie, we popped into Meyers Creek Brewing Company, where I picked up a bottle of gold wax-dipped Bootlegger Imperial Stout, aged on bourbon-infused oak.
I also selected a few tall boys: A Night in Bellevegas, Back Roads, East Hill, and Yardmen. On my visit, all three owners were in the brewery, and I discovered that all their brews have names significant to the Belleville area. How cool is that?
County Bounty Artisanal Soda is also sold here, along with Sprague’s Lentil Chili made with Meyers Creek’s Bohemian Pilsner!
Maple Dale Cheese
2864 ON-37, Plainfield
Even though I saw Maple Dale Cheese multiple times throughout my trip, I couldn’t miss this spot! Since 1888, they’ve been making a variety of cheeses, from tasty curds to limited-edition flavoured cheeses and other dairy products. Plus, they bake cheese breadsticks daily. Unfortunately, they were sold out when we arrived fifteen minutes before they closed for the day.
The shelves were stocked with local goods and preserves – I had enough condiments and spreads for the charcuterie board, so I set my sights on my cheese selection.
I picked a jalapeno cheddar, 4-year-old smoked cheddar, dill and garlic, plus white cheese curds.
Ellena’s Cafe & Pantry
16 Dundas St E, Napanee
The last stop on our journey, Ellena’s Cafe & Pantry, was the perfect place to pick up items I might have missed. Here, I could pick up extra cans of County Bounty Artisanal Soda, a few more jarred preserves from Harvest Brinery (make time to visit HB’s store in Napanee!) and in-house baked goods before heading for home.
MAP IT OUT
Starting this trip with a shopping list ensured I picked up a wide selection of bread, cheeses, meats, spreads, condiments, drinks, desserts and sweets to make my charcuterie board.
Only three items from outside the Bay of Quinte region (made in neighbouring Prince Edward County and Hastings County) jumped into my basket. So, this charcuterie board’s fantastic spread showcases the BoQ’s offerings with items (almost exclusively) from over a dozen makers and bakers within the region!
Below is a Google Map with all the locations I visited, plus a few more shops mentioning the local items carried so you can easily plan your own charcuterie tour.
