Growing up in London, Roots & Shoots owner and operator Bess Hilton was always surrounded by plants, animals, and nature. Her mother always had a large garden filled with native plants and wildlife, and she has memories of playing in the nearby trees or searching for bugs and butterflies while her mom would be tending to her garden. "My mom would always tell me about how beneficial different creatures were to helping naturally control bugs," said Bess. "We would take walks in the woods and she would point out all the different types of native flowers and plants, and I would search for fossils and stones in the creek." As Bess grew older, she found herself wanting to reconnect with her roots through exploring growing her own plants, just as her mother had when she was a child, and in 2020 she officially started Roots & Shoots. 

What originally started out as a YouTube channel called The Cool Cookie Show, featuring tutorials on baking and decorating cookies, turned into a physical business in around two and a half years under the hard work and dedication of owner Gabby Versnick. When Gabby transitioned into actually working in the kitchen, she didn't want to lose the social following she had built up over time. So with the help of a friend to pivot the naming of the business, The Cool Cookie Kitchen officially opened, and has been making delicious and beautiful cookies ever since. 

​At Good Food Farms, farming is more than a livelihood; it's a mission. Tina, farm owner and manager, launched this farm-to-table social enterprise rooted in a deep respect for the land, food, and the belief that how and where our food is grown is one of the biggest contributors to both human health and the health of our planet.
 
Their current focus is on producing high-quality, free-range, pastured chicken, but their vision for the future stretches far beyond poultry. Tina has plans to scale up and get into more niche crops. Excitingly, they plan on opening their new farm store in Lucan toward the end of the year, allowing them to grow and build something sustainable, rooted in community, and sharing good food farmed right.

​For Adam of Paterson Woodcrafts, woodworking began as a quiet hobby; something he did for himself, his friends, family, and for pure enjoyment. “I used to just give it away,” Adam said with a smile. But over time, that passion took root, shaped by decades of deep respect for the craft. 2025 has marked Adam's first year of selling his works publicly - and the Horton Farmers' Market is happy to be his launchpad.

Lotus Thai began in 2006 when Pom Quangvan Montague, after previously running a small private catering business, opened her first Lotus Thai location on the corner of John and Talbot Streets in midtown St. Thomas. After a few years there, she moved to 295 Talbot Street, where the restaurant still thrives. They have become a community staple, celebrated by the community for nearly 20 years, and they contribute so much to the tapestry of authentic cultural food experiences in our community. ​

For many market goers, Abby Mae's Gluten Free Bakery is a weekly staple. From fresh baked goods like decadent brownies, breads, cookies, squares, cupcakes, and bars, to scones, waffles, granola, and much more (all gluten-free, but you wouldn't know it by the delicious taste). Each week, their stand at Horton is filled with fresh, made-from-scratch goods, but make sure you get to the market early to get a pick of the whole assortment; their products go quick - a further testament to their quality and taste. 

It's long been said that where cooking is an art, baking is a science. Requiring precise measurements, watchful eyes, and exact temperatures and times, good baking needs love, attention to detail, practice, care, and time; all things that Jessica, owner of Cheffy's Culinary Creations, finds joy in. Any given Saturday at Horton you can find Jessica happily chatting away with customers, surrounded by her impressive array of pies, breads, cake pops, cookies, and other baked delights.

​In the tiny village of Crampton, a church-turned-home by Arthur and Sharon Murray serves as
the headquarters of Herb 4350. Their modest side yard, humble in size but well optimized, is
home to most herbs you can think of, including unique offerings in their potager and petal
gardens.

​When you stumble upon Sippin’ Tea at a market, you might be drawn in by Paula’s warm smile and her neatly presented and carefully curated selection of teas.

​Down a narrow winding road, across a bridge that crosses Otter Creek in historic Vienna, eventually you will come across a farm framed by pines in the distance. Much like the incognito operations of prohibition—you would have no idea this was a distillery, besides the sign, and their iconic little blue van parked out front. In their barn is a hidden little speakeasy where they would gladly pour you a drink and tell their story.