This year could be the biggest yet for St. Catharines Farmer’s Market

Terri Waugh (left) and her mom Alice Smith offer up healthy microgreens at the St. Catharines market. ~ Luke Edwards photo

By Luke Edwards

As the St. Catharines Farmer’s Market is looking to grow this year, one of its newest vendors is keeping things small.

Terri Waugh runs Two Hearts, a small microgreens business with her mom Alice Smith. The pair were among the many vendors set up when the market kicked off its summer season with a special event on Saturday, May 16.

“We wanted to be a part of it,” said Waugh, of the market. She’s been a longtime fan of the market’s friendly and lively atmosphere and was a vendor with a previous business. However, wanting to find something that fit in better, she and her mom started the microgreens operation.

“We love the atmosphere, we love the people,” she said.

Microgreens are a regular part of her own diet, and Waugh said she thought the business could fill a gap at the market. While micro, the greens pack a nutritional punch, she said, and can be used in everything from salads to soups, or dried and ground to be added to other meals like pasta sauces.

Her favourite is broccoli microgreens. Instead of a full head of broccoli, the microgreens offer plenty of goodness in compact form.

“All those nutrients are packed in there,” she said.

While the St. Catharines market runs year round, each May it expands its offerings as the growing season returns. With this year marking the city’s 150th anniversary, community and market coordinator Deanna Chakarova said this summer’s market is shaping up to be its best yet.

Mayor Mat Siscoe was at the opening event, bringing greetings from the City.

“We’re excited to kick off another season,” he said, pointing out that the market existed even before the city’s official birth. The market launched in 1848, making this the 178th year.

“It’s got us beat,” Siscoe joked.

That success, he said, is thanks to both the farmers and vendors who work tirelesslessly, as well as the community.

“The market continues to work because the residents support it,” he said, adding that support of local farmers is increasingly important in today’s world.

Also back this year is Dena Gelentso, running the discovery table for the 16th year. She grew up on a farm and had a career in education. After retiring she was looking for some way to use her skills, and developed the discovery table, a unique offering where visitors can learn about different aspects related to what they see and buy at the market.

On the opening day event she invited visitors to decorate a pot, then fill it with a tomato or strawberry seedling provided with the help of sponsors Stokes Seeds and Ontario Green.

She also offered some information on the market’s history, or simply had a friendly chat with passersby.

“All ages stop here,” she said.

The spring kickoff, especially with the beautiful weather that accompanied the weekend, was a perfect way to get people into a good mood, she said.

“It’s like magic,” she said. “It’s great to see the vendors, farmers and people.”

The St. Catharines market runs twice a week in market square, downtown. It runs Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.