Get to know incredible cheesemakers and dairies this summer at the ‘Meet the Maker’ series at the Guelph Farmers’ Market. A collaboration between SweetCheeses! and 10C, this special summer series will bring Ontario dairies to the market to showcase their products, chat about cheesemaking with the public and provide tasty samples.
Drop by the Farmers’ Market on the following dates to learn more about each of these makers:
Saturday, July 12 | 8AM-1PM with Golspie Dairy
The Golspie Dairy is located just outside of Woodstock, on a picturesque farm that has been in the family for over 150 years. An on-farm processing plant specializing in fresh dairy products and small-batch cheeses based on iconic and well-loved British staples.
Saturday, July 26 | 8AM-1PM with – Stonetown Artisan Cheese
Stonetown Artisan Cheese is an on-farm cheese plant located in St. Marys, Ontario. Their award winning hand-crafted alpine style cheese is made with fresh whole cow’s milk from their family farm. In order to obtain a great taste, the milk is unpasteurized and has no additives. This ensures that the cheese is pure and natural. The cheese making process is very similar to how cheese has been made for centuries in the mountain dairies in the Swiss Alps.
Saturday August 9 | 8AM-1PM with Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese
https://www.gunnshillcheese.ca
Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese is a small artisan cheese plant nestled within the rolling hills of Gunn’s Hill Rd., in Oxford County, Ontario. The cheeses produced at Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese are truly unique although you can taste the Swiss influence from techniques and recipes Shep learned while making cheese in the town of Handeck, in the Swiss Alps. Today, there are two full time cheese makers and a team of staff that work diligently to produce some of Canada’s finest award winning cheeses. Owners Shep Ysselstein and Colleen Bator are proud of the little thriving business that is now seeing their cheeses in over 300 locations across Ontario!
August 23 | 8AM-1PM with Mountainoak Cheese
In Holland, the Van Bergeijks’ prize-winning cheeses were very popular with local consumers, but there was little opportunity to grow as dairy farmers. Seeking a brighter future for their children, the family emigrated to Canada in 1996, where they purchased their present farm in Wilmot Township. Although the plan for Canada was to focus on dairy farming only, some of their original cheesemaking equipment found its way into the container destined for their new homeland. It wasn’t long before they were making cheese for their own consumption.
Mountainoak Cheese is a modern, state-of-the-art processing plant that allows the van Bergeijks to continue the tradition of great-tasting, high-quality, Gouda-style cheeses made with high-quality, fresh milk from their own dairy cows.
About SweetCheeses!
Purveyor of diabolically good cheese & charcuterie, predominately from farmstead producers in Wellington, Waterloo, Perth & Oxford counties. As well as sourcing some from across Canada including Quebec, BC & PEI.
Heather shares her knowledge of cheese at the market as well as her popular sold out “Cheese Socials”. She is certified cheesemaker and is also an instructor at George Brown
College (Professional Cheese Monger Program/School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts) & Conestoga College (Professional Cheesemaking Program). She is frequently invited to judge cheese at Canadian and international cheese competitions.
You can find their booth at the Guelph Farmer’ Market every Saturday 8am-1pm & during the Thursday CSA pickup from 4-7pm (June-October).
About the Guelph Farmers’ Market
A community cornerstone since 1827, the Guelph Farmers’ Market is a vibrant gathering place offering fresh local food, artisanal products, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Since 2022, 10C has led operations, revitalizing the market as a dynamic hub for community engagement. Regular Farmers’ Markets run Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
