When all the plants are dead, the fields are frozen over and I am pulling on thermal long johns to conduct day-to-day business, it's nice to know that you can still tap into the summer bounty and other locally made fare at a handful of winter markets in the city.

A new monthly winter market - that's not so heavy on fresh farm products, but is being promoted as a regional and artisanal food market - launched yesterday in the atrium of the CBC building, so I decided to brave the brutal wind tunnel on John to check it out.

It started off small with a few quality vendors that could provide enough motivation for office dwellers in the area to come back next month.

Warner Farms had several different varieties of apples and pears, plus fresh cider.

The pickled delights of Toorshi Foods were there alongside a variety of honeys from Staite's Honey. St. John's Bakery was their selling their wonderful French style breads.

Nieuwenhuis Meadows was there with Ontario lamb and skeins of wool. ChocoSol brought their socially conscious and oh so delicious chocolate.

Cheese of Canada had a nice selection of artisan cheeses from Ontario, Quebec and B.C. - not to mention fresh curds from Black River Cheese Company.

The handmade crackers from Evelyn's Crackers included their new Berkshire Biscuits - a nice subtle flavour with a wonderful richness. Alongside them From These Roots had jams, jellies and sauces and salsas, many made from ingredients owner Krista Harrington grows in her own garden.

Kawartha Ecological Growers (K.E.G.) were there with a selection of foods that could stock your winter kitchen: squash, greenhouse sprouts, local pork, beef and chicken, red fife and spelt flours, eggs, and potatoes. And they have a winter CSA program.

More Than Pies Baking Co. had a large variety of cookies, loaves, bars and other baked goods.

The Regional 'n' Artisanal Food Market will be running monthly until April at 250 Front Street West. The next is scheduled for Thursday February 25th from 10:00am - 2:30pm.

Other year-round markets in the city include Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers' Market (Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.); St. Lawrence Farmers' Market (Saturdays from 5 a.m.); and Green Barns Farmers' Market at Artwood Wychwood TTC Barns (Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon). Most other markets start up in May/June and run until October/November. Check out the Ontario Farmers' Market website for more details and a complete list.