Sweet Treats from The Candy Shack

It’s springtime in New Brunswick and that means that the sap is flowing! Our province is blessed with many ambitious cottage entrepreneurs who take advantage of this season’s offerings in tapping, producing, and marketing one of our provincial treasures – maple syrup! The Marché Moncton Market is one of the best places to get pure, fresh, maple products all handcrafted by local producers like James and Brenda Martin of Elgin, NB.

Both James and Brenda come from a long line of local folks who tapped maple sap from the pristine woodlands surrounding their homes. “On both sides of our family, we have a tradition of tapping maple sap and producing maple syrup,” says Brenda, “so our interest in the production and marketing of maple products comes to us naturally.” As the owners of The Candy Shack at 29 Gowland Mountain Road in Elgin, James and Brenda collect pure maple syrup from local suppliers with they create an inventory of maple butter, maple taffy, hard candy, 1oz and 2oz leaves, cones, cream, and granulated sugar. Look for their special booth at the Marché Moncton Market on Saturdays or visit The Candy Shack on your travels to Elgin. Got a special request? Contact them at 756-2369, and it’s important to note that they can create special items for weddings and parties as well.

“We take great pains to make sure our operation is environmentally friendly,” says James, “and that all our products contain no added preservatives.” For James and Brenda, freshness, natural flavour, and country goodness are what it’s all about! Got a sweet tooth? Indulge in the sweet taste of spring in New Brunswick with maple treats!

A Taste of Japan

Got a yen for Japanese food? Kiyoko’s booth at the Marché Moncton Market is a mecca for connoisseurs of fine Japanese dining and the wonderful sighs and scents – not to mention taste of Japanese cuisine! Six kinds of sushi, tasty chicken curry on rice, and Bibimba are all expertly created by an authentic Japanese Canadian recently transplanted to our fair city.

Kiyoko met her Canadian husband, Graham, in her Japanese homeland where he was teaching English to her young compatriots, and they fell in love. They both moved to Moncton seven years ago where Kiyoko adjusted to life in Canada quite well, becoming a mother of four young children. An entrepreneur at heart, Kiyoko decided to bring her talents to area residents through the market where her booth attracts a crowd each Saturday. Customers anxious to sample the delicious foods of Japan are often lined up around her booth eagerly anticipating the delightful flavours of authentic Japanese cooking.

When visiting the market, make it a point to drop by Kiyoko’s booth and say, "konnichiwa (koh-Nee-chee-wah)" to Kiyoko and try some of her wonderful offerings. You’ll soon develop an appetite for foods from the magical land of Japan available right here in Moncton! Ittadakimasu!