Niagara is known for our delicious harvest, so luckily you don’t need to stray far to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner. You can create fresh, delicious homemade meals using our own local produce from farmer’s markets. 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 and directly supports farmers financially. Eating local is important for building a sustainable community.
Niagara Falls Farmers Market – 5943 Sylvia Place, behind the Niagara Falls History Museum (near the corner or Main and Ferry)
Photo cred: Niagara Falls Farmers Market
The Niagara Falls Farmers Market has been around for 50+ years and is open year round on Saturday’s from 6:00 am – 12:00 pm, supplying you with the most local, freshest produce that Niagara Falls has to offer — a perfect choice to help prepare a Thanksgiving dinner! There is currently a small building that hosts 4 indoor vendors and depending on the season, up to 15 vendors set up outside. Apples, eggs, meat, squash, pumpkins, etc. are all available for purchase. Take your time and grab a coffee or a tea from inside the market building and pick from a wide array of delicious ingredients.
While you are in close proximity to Clifton Hill, there are plenty of gift, souvenir and retail stores on hand to pick up items to prepare a gift basket if you are playing a guest at a Thanksgiving function this year. The Canada Trading Company and the Fudge Factory each sell a variety of related items to the Holiday that can be prepared into a gift basket. Bringing fudge, truffles, assorted candies, cookies and other treats is always a hit no matter the Holiday.
Port Colborne Farmers Market – 66 Charlotte Street (in front of City Hall)
Quality local fruits, vegetables, meats, baked goods, flowers and plants are in ample supply here with plenty of vendors from the Niagara region set up. They are open on Friday’s year round from 6:00 am – 1:00 pm until Thanksgiving, and then the hours are 7:00 am – 1:00 pm the week after Thanksgiving to Victoria Day weekend Friday (May).
For more information, please call 905-835-2900, Ext 124 or email at marketclerk@portcolborne.ca.
St.Catharines Farmers Market – 91 King Street, Downtown St. Catharines (across from City Hall)
Photo cred: St. Catharines Farmers Market
Open currently on Tuesday’s, Thursday’s and Saturday’s from 6 am to 2 pm, this market has it all to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner! Fruits, vegetables, baked goods, fresh bread, European meats, seafood, chicken, beef, Lebanese and Mexican foods, honey, fresh-cut and potted flowers, gourmet spices, homemade jams, preserves and jewelry are all sold here — as well as gluten-free foods. They have everything in season to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner.
For more information, please call 905-688-5601 Ext 1508.
Welland Farmers Market – 70 Young Street (between Young and Division Streets)
The largest farmers market in the Niagara Region belongs to the Welland Farmers Market. This market is open year round from 6:00 am – 12:00 pm on Saturday’s. They’ve been open since 1907 and they provide shelves of fresh fruits and vegetables, tasty meats, natural cheeses and baked goods.
Here is a general list of what’s in season for October that you can find fresh at these markets:
Apples, arugula, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, chestnuts, eggplant, fennel, garlic, ginger, green beans, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, pears, peas, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, raspberries, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, Summer and Winter squash.
For more information, please call 905 735-1700 Ext. 2334 , or email market@welland.ca.
**For a list of Niagara Falls events over the Thanksgiving weekend click here**.