Mapping Lincoln’s fruit stands

This map by Shelley Szczucki shows the bevy of roadside farm stands that can be found in Lincoln. It’s available for download at artbyshelleyszczucki.com. ~ Shelley Szczucki image

By Luke Edwards

A Lincoln artist has used her skills to promote the dozens of roadside stands that dot her community.

Earlier this summer Shelley Szczucki released a map of farmstands in Lincoln, following up on a similar project she did for Niagara wineries several years ago.

“It’s just so nice to have them all in one little spot on the map,” said Szczucki, who sells specially designed maps of various communities as part of her art side job.

The farm stand map was a chance for Szczucki to give back. She grew up in the area, and for a time lived on a farm.

“Basically anybody who’s lived in the area, their first job was on a farm, picking strawberries or picking fruit or something like that,” she said.

Szczucki recalled the incredibly tough work required to operate the farm.

“And I remember specifically telling my mother that I will never marry a farmer. Never, because it was just every single day after school we went outside and tied grapes, and we picked grapes,” she said.

However, it also fostered a deep respect for the farm community and the fruits and vegetables Niagara is able to produce.

“Farmers work so hard, it’s one of those things that people don’t realize how much work goes behind it,” she said.

“This region is just so filled with so much to offer.”

Back in 2019 Szczucki created a map of wineries in the region. It proved popular, and as a regular visitor to a couple local roadside farm stands, she decided to make the new map. She sketched and painted little representations of the stands, and posted her intentions on social media. Immediately feedback started flying in, with commenters suggesting other stands. There were many Szczucki never knew existed.

Eventually, the map ended up with 24 locations throughout Lincoln’s communities. She said the response has been extremely positive.

“Everybody was so thankful they were able to have this map,” she said.

Instead of selling the map, she’s offered it up free of charge, as a way to promote those hardworking farmers.

It’s also given her a chance to learn about some new offerings in her own backyard. Several of the stands have unique offerings, or as Szczucki puts it, “the little surprises along the way.”

As for her favourite products to pick up, Szczucki said it’s hard to pick one. She’s always been partial to cherries, but also loves when peach season rolls around.

However, she also enjoys grapes, and not just the ones that get turned into wine. Local table grapes have a taste and texture she said customers won’t find at any grocery store.

“The ones you get right off the vine taste amazing,” she said.

Szczucki’s farm stand map can be downloaded from her website, artbyshelleyszczucki.com, where visitors can also browse some of her maps that are for sale. In the meantime, she’s also working to update her wineries maps, as several new places have opened up in the past few years.