About 10 kilometers northwards from Waterloo St. Jacobs is located. Street signs on the way there show that one is in Mennonite country.

Before one even gets to the town itself, one passes the Farmers Market which is open year round on Thursdays and Saturdays from 7am to 15pm, in summer (June - August) it is open on Tuesdays from 8am to 15pm, too. Here Mennonites and other farmers offer their products, fresh juice and vegetables, bread, smoked sausages and meat for example. Here we buy the firm German bread, Greyzer cheese and the smoke sausages that we love to take along for our outdoor trips.

Most of the fresh vegetable and juice is offered outside, when it is sunny one can stroll around the stalls.

On colder days the stalls outside are rare, only some Mennonites and some flea market stands hold out. For the Mennonite horse buggies there are special shelters and so even in winter one can buy maple syrup and plum jam.

Bordering on the open air area a huge wooden barn is situated. Butcher's shops, bakeries, snack bars and other shops offer their products. On the second floor craft gifts, cloth and art objects are being sold.

Across the street a huge factory outlet accommodates many companies and shops like Villeroy & Boch, Lego and Levis.

Even if you are not planning on buying anything over here Farmers Market is worth a visit. Just strolling around, trying a sample of self-made sweets, pastries or sausages or talk to Mennonites about their origin....