The St.Catharines Farmers' Market is always a nice stop with friendly vendors and plenty of diversity. The market is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays year round, with Saturdays having the most vendors. Here you can get fruits and vegetables direct from local farmers, so patrons are helping the farming community by getting food straight from the source, and around Thanksgiving you can get everything you need for dinner!

From sweet potatoes to squash to carrots and peas, it's all here!

There are many different artisans and delis, flowers, kettle popcorn, bakeries, and local restaurants always have inexpensive premade food that hits the spot. This would be a great destination for visitors because they can experience a bit more of the local culture, heritage, and the people in the Niagara Region who make this area so important.

Some of the other vendors include jewlery tables, handmade apparel, De La Terre Cafe and Bakery, where you can puchase amazing organic bread, and Maria's Deli where you can get deli meats and cheese. Oasis and Tonami, two local restaraunts, also have tables where they sell various mediterranean treats such as cheap and delicious falafal pitas, hummus, cheese pies, backlava, pita bread and dips, sesame cookies and more.

The St. Catharines farmers market is a great place to get your food from. It has many benefits for the local community and our important farmers. It also provides the customer with direct contact with their food sources so you know where your food is coming from. It directly supports farmers finacially. Eating local is important for building a sustainable community.

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday ONLY, Year-Round, from early morning to mid-afternoon

1. Take Gardiner Expressway to QEW Niagara

6. Take exit 46 toward County Rd-44/Lake Street

3. Turn right at Dunlop Drive
4. Take the 1st left onto Lake Street
9. Turn left at James Street
10.Take the 3rd right into Market Place parking lot across from the St.Catharines Public Library.

There is also an entrance on King Street. To get to King Street you turn right on King Street from James Street.

In downtown St. Catharines sits one of the city's oldest traditions, the farmer's market. In the early 1800s, farmers would congregate in downtown St. Catharines and sell the harvests they sowed from nearby agricultural fields. Visitors are welcome to St. Catharines' market square which enjoys a bustling market environment three days a week. Local and in-season wares, as well as artisanal goods are sold year round at this comfortable and open modern marketplace building.

The St.Catharines farmers market contributes to sustainability because it promotes local goods and services. Buying local is a great benefit because you are supporting your own community since you are not buying from outside sources. Customers get to see where the food they are eating is coming from and can even talk to the farmers directly. The food is fresh because it comes straight from the farm, and it has not travelled hundreds of mileswhile blasting pollutants into the environment.

Many vendors also sell organic goods such as honey, bread, and fruits and vegetables which means that no pesticides were involved. This is good for the environment because it means no synthetic chemicals are seeping into the soil and waterways from their farming, and this way, consumers do not have to ingest chemicals into their bodies.

City of St.Catharines

Behind City Hall on King and James Streets
St. Catharines, Ontario

Diane Garrington
City of St.Catharines
50 Church Street
St. Catharines, Ontario
L2R 7C2
Tel (905) 688- 5601 ext. 1503
Website http://www.stcatharines.ca/index.asp