Farm Gate to Your Plate expands its offerings

Farm Gate to Your Plate has undergone several evolutions over its history, with the latest seeing Lisa Sproston take over the entire shop on Main Street in Grimsby to offer baked goods, coffee, soups, salads in sandwiches in addition to the cuts of meat and take-home meals. The sausage rolls, a nod to her native England, have become a favourite. ~ Luke Edwards photo

By Luke Edwards

While the evolution of the business has been anything but straightforward, the idea behind Farm Gate to Your Plate has always been a direct connection between food and the consumer.

And that idea has taken on a new meaning now that the Grimsby business has taken over the full storefront on Main Street downtown. While still offering the organic chicken, grass-fed beef and pasture-raised eggs they became known for after opening in 2007, Lisa Sproston and her small team of dedicated employees are now offering a range of sweets, treats, coffee, and lunch items in their newly renovated marketplace.

The idea is to become something of a one-stop shop where customers can come for a cup of a coffee, and pick up the steak for the weekend alongside a loaf of bread and eventually a bottle of wine.

And it appears the idea is gaining traction, Sproston said.

“The feedback we’ve been getting from customers has been fantastic,” Sproston said.

“It’s teaching me that Grimsby’s a very supportive community. They really do care about what’s going on.”

The business started after Sproston and her then-husband Andy moved to the area from England. Back home, they were accustomed to small farm stores all over the place, stores that didn’t really exist locally.

“So we started up with a few animals for ourselves and it kind of grew from there,” she said.

Farm Gate to Your Plate opened in 2007, and the business developed a loyal customer base. Eventually the couple separated and Andy maintained the business. However, he developed health issues that eventually led to his death in 2022.

Lisa then came back into the fold and two years ago moved to the new location at 35 Main St. West. For a time they shared the shop with another bakery, but when they left, Sproston was left wondering what to do.

Local business owner Simon Duong expressed an interest in opening a wine shop. But then he decided to run for mayor and realized he didn’t have the time.

So Sproston threw caution to the wind, talked to her landlord and expanded Farm Gate to Your Plate.

One of the keys to making the new venture a success is knowing where her skills are lacking. For instance, baking and breadmaking is not her forte, so she hired someone to take care of the sourdoughs and pastries. Sproston said it’s worked out well.

With daily sandwich specials that get switched up each month, along with salads and soups, Sproston said they’re becoming a popular place for a sitdown lunch. And with a nod to her English roots, she offers a sausage roll that’s become a favourite.

“Our sausage rolls are starting to get a bit of a reputation, we struggle to keep up with those, and they’ve been going really well,” she said.

Their sourdough cinnamon rolls are also a popular attraction. And for takehome items, Sproston said the focus is on simple, basic meals done well. A classic Italian lasagna is one of their bestsellers, for instance.

At the same time, they’re continuing to sell the beef and chicken they became known for. Most of their suppliers are fairly local, and Sproston estimated about 95 per cent of their products are Canadian.

Plans are in place to open a patio, eventually, and be able to sell wine.

They’re located at 35 Main St. West. For more information visit the Farm Gate to Your Plate Facebook page. 