Ruetz Country Market

For over 25 years, the Ruetz name (pronounced Ritz, like the cracker) has been synonymous with fresh produce on the Farmers Market circuit as Paul and Linda Ruetz trucked their goods to markets in Keady, St. Jacob’s and Kincardine. 

Now, they’re looking forward to spending less time on the road and more time having the customers come to them, as they settle into their new property and new format with a permanent store and become the Ruetz Country Market, just north of Goderich on the beautiful Bluewater Highway. 

They spent the winter renovating the roadside market building and getting the new property ready for planting, while still maintaining the existing farm and greenhouse at Teeswater. The market has new floors, walls, lighting, walk-in coolers and a sorting/washing station for veggies like the high-demand pickling cucumbers.

The Market had a successful launch on the long weekend in May, with technology being the only hiccup (the debit machine went down). The store will carry their own radishes, cucumbers, sweet corn, pumpkins, beans, peas, strawberries and raspberries and more. What they can’t grow themselves, they bring in from their strong network of connections throughout southwestern Ontario. Some peaches and other fruits will be from the Niagara region, and all of the rest will be from within about 150 kilometers, ensuring the freshest produce possible for their clientele.

Local tried and true suppliers like Metzgers Meats, Springhill Fish, Voisin’s Maple Products and Coastal Coffee are the perfect complement to their produce. The fridge and freezers are stocked with Shaw’s Ice Cream and Grassroots Woodfired Pizza. 

Linda and Paul are looking forward to sharing this unique market with a whole new customer base, from locals looking for the freshest produce to cottagers stocking up on their way to the lake. Both of them are lifelong farmers and their passion and commitment to the local food movement is obvious. “Trust, honesty and integrity are what we promise to our customers,” says Linda.

They will be open on Fridays and Saturdays, but their hours are a little up in the air until they get into the rhythm of the region. Follow them on Facebook for updates on hours and to find out what’s in season weekly! 82818 Bluewater Highway, Goderich.