FARM FRESH
Farmers' Markets of the BoQ
The Bay of Quinte region has four farmers’ markets full of locally-grown produce, baked goods and artisan items. I moved here in 2020 and I recently spent an early summer weekend doing one of my favourite things: exploring my new home and all it has to offer. Join me as I discover the farmers’ markets around the BoQ and learn what makes each one worth visiting.
Written by Allison Nichol Longtin
Read time: 4 min
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 8am-5pm year-round, rain or shine
I’m based in Belleville and when I first moved here I was thrilled and impressed to learn that Belleville’s farmers’ market is open three days a week ALL year round. The vendors are made of hearty stock. I love to ride my bike to the market and fill up my baskets with local produce and goodies. During my visit on a warm Saturday morning, the market was characteristically busy and bustling with lots on offer. From food that’s ready to eat (there were perogies and dumplings) to locally produced honey, jams, and pickled veggies, to fresh produce and meats and cheeses, it doesn’t take long to fill up a basket or two. Centrally located in downtown Belleville, just behind City Hall, this farmers’ market is one of the biggest in the area. And now, you can pop over to Benji’s Coffee Bar just across the street to keep caffeinated and get a treat to sweeten your shopping trip.
Saturdays 9am-2pm, Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend
Next, I hit the road heading West on Old Highway 2 in the direction of Quinte West. On the West bank of the Trent River, nestled in downtown Trenton, I found the small but mighty Front Street Farmers’ Market. There was live music and a good-sized crowd, despite the rain that started to fall. Vendors were selling plants and herbs for the garden, sourdough bread, and artist-designed t-shirts and tote bags. There’s a real community feel here as locals greet one another and catch-up while admiring the fresh rhubarb and salad greens. At the south end of the market is local favourite, The Grind and Vine, where you can grab a coffee and a bite to refuel for the rest of your day.
Open on Sundays 9 am-2 pm, from May 12 to October 27
This bright and shiny market is the new kid on the block (or parking lot, rather) and it isn’t what you’re expecting: it has a high ropes course! Although it’s only recently opened its gates, the Homestead Farmers’ Market has a number of vendors, including those selling (completely out of) baked goods, handmade soaps and bath products, plants and herbs for the garden, and artisan-made jewellery. And they’re looking to add more vendors to the market. I suspect this market will look very different next year as they grow and evolve. You could really make a day of it here by having lunch at one of the nearby restaurants and nurturing your sense of adventure on the high ropes course or playing a game of mini-putt at the Homestead Adventure Park.
Sundays 10 am-1 pm, May-October
I LOVE a good country drive, and my route to the Codrington farmers’ market north of Brighton did not disappoint. Spilling out from under a covered area beside the local public library (which is open during market hours!) and surrounded by open fields, are a wide variety of vendors. This rural market has it all: fresh local produce, flowers, artisanal crafts and goodies, and even a knife-sharpening service. This market was a pleasant surprise for this first-time visitor. From the quaint coffee truck that also sells ice cream to the Thai food stand all set to live music, I fell in love with this market. You can bet I’ll be packing up my knives in need of sharpening and spending my next Sunday morning filling my basket with baked goods here. So worth the drive.
