Hot apple cider always ready at Welland Farmer's Market

Welland Farmer's Market open year round despite chilly weather

The temperature may be bitterly cold and the snow may be falling, but the Welland Farmer’s Market is still the place to be on a Saturday morning.

 Randy Haist, owner of R.C. Haist Farms, is a year-round vendor at Welland’s Farmer’s Market.  He says loyal customers fill the market with “happy faces” each Saturday morning.

“People come every Saturday morning and I have hot apple cider ready for anybody that needs a hand warmed up,” says vendor Randy Haist. Randy, and his wife Cindy, own R.C. Haist Farms. They sell at the market year-round.

Randy says that there may be more entertainment during the summer months, but there are dedicated shoppers even during the bleakest of winter’s mornings.

“People have their something special here. On a Saturday morning everybody has a smile on their face here. At a grocery store there are no smiles. Here they stop by and chat for a bit with the vendors.”

Cindy says people have a connection with their vendors and want to support them whenever they can.

“People come in the winter and they visit with the vendors and they’ll have breakfast in the café.

They don’t get to interact with the person growing their food at the grocery store. The market still has a lot to offer this time of year,” she says.

Donna Lawrence, a regular customer of vendor John’s Meats, says she chooses to support the Farmer’s Market all year because of the relationships she has formed.

Donna Lawrence says she enjoys coming to the Farmer’s Market
each week to support vendors like John Eberling, owner of 
John’s Meats. “We’re like family now,” she says.

“I like the quaint intimate atmosphere and supporting my friends who are like family.”

The Durfy family say they come to the market almost every week.

“We like the local produce and have a relationship now with the vendors,” says Karen Durfy.

Although the thought of venturing out into the brisk March morning air may seem like something to avoid, Randy Haist says it’s worth it. And he’ll have a hot cup of apple cider waiting.

The Welland Farmer’s Market, at 70 Young Street, is open every Saturday morning between 6 am and 12pm.

Bill and Karen Durfy, and their daughter Meredith (right) support the Farmer’s Market all year.
 “We come pretty much every week for the fresh produce,” says Bill.

Read it at the St.Catharine's Standard here