Local farmers benefit from Grills Orchard outlet

By: Amy Clark

Grills Orchard offers a wide range of products for local farmers including bird feed and bird houses. Photo By: Amy Clark

Just one of many unique farming operations in Quinte, Grills Orchards provides a variety of products including some from local farmers.

Diana and Randy McPherson has owned Grills Orchards for the past 10 years.  Grills, a local apple orchard, a bird feed company, horse dealer, a store, which sells products from local farmers, and fudge made at Grills.

They are in the process of expanding the operation by adding a bakery that will only be selling homemade goods.

“It gives them a place to bring their product and we sell it for them,” said Diana McPherson. “A lot of them don’t have the time to go to a market, so we do all the work for them.”

The farm is located off Grills Road just outside of Belleville. The store is open year round, but like an orchard some of the apples are seasonal.

“Everybody is getting local produce or meat, and it helps everybody, they know exactly what they are getting,” said McPherson.

Farmers bring their products from as far as Cherry Valley. Local Farms include Oak Lane Alpaca, Harders Heritage Farm, and Mad Gardener Apiaries.

The products include; beef, lamb, sausages, chickens available, local crafts, maple syrup, onions, and potatoes, says McPherson.

Local farmers rely on the local community buying from them to survive off the land.