Grandma Lambe’s - A Place That Feels Like Home
WORDS: Stef Richardson + PHOTOS: Alyssa Joline Photography
When I think of hometown heart, I think of Grandma Lambe’s – an iconic pie shop and fruit stand in Meaford, Ontario. Any time you visit town or drive by on Highway 26, you can’t miss the apple shaped signs, letting you know there are freshly baked pies ahead. If that doesn’t reel you in, I’m not sure what will! I’m talking homemade crust, gooey filling, and made with so much love. It’s true when I tell you these folks make over 35,000 pies a year. That’s a whole lotta pies! Over the years, Grandma Lambe’s has expanded their retail section to include produce, eco-friendly kitchen products, and pre-made frozen meals in addition to their claim to fame jams, pies, baked goods and apples. Passion, family, and home-cooking are the wheels that keep this Meaford gem thriving.
This biz has been around for about 70 years – can you believe it? What started as an apple stand and small scale pie biz, became so much more once it was passed on and nurtured by Grace + Gordon Lambe, + family and once old enough, children and siblings David and Darlene took the reigns. Fast forward to present day, the legacy continues and grandchildren Cailey Lambe and brother Blake + wife Steph have now taken on a lot of the day-to-day duties. It’s a full family operation and that’s pretty dang special. Grandma Lambe’s employs over 30-50 people each year to help with everything from harvest, retail, baking, picking and small-talk with the locals.
// CAILEY + STEPH
I gotta say - these little hometown establishments are what keep my childhood memories alive. Although not on the menu any longer, I used to rip down Muir Street on my scooter just to get some of their raspberry frozen yogurt. I’d stand outside the little side window eagerly waiting for that cup of goodness. It was the ultimate after school special. Similar to my yogurt-tales, tourists will travel from afar just to have one of Grandma Lambe’s iconic apple pies. As you enter the big barn doors, you’ll be greeted with smiles from their staff (usually extra warm greetings from Aunt Darlene) and the smell of fresh baked goods. You’ll sniff out the baking table FOR SURE but choosing what to buy, that is the challenge. I have no doubts you’ll be fine though.
A few of my faves from Grandma Lambe’s: raspberry jam, cheese scones + white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. Big lover of cloudy apple juice and cheese curds, too!
I truly hope for years to come there will always be a Grandma Lambe’s. Meaford just wouldn’t be the same.
Read on for a short Q+A with Blake and Cailey. Once you’re finished reading, hop in your car and go grab some tasty treats at Grandma Lambe’s!
Q+A
What’s your favourite way to use apples?
Blake: Apple pie
Cailey: I am a simple girl I love a homemade cinnamon apple sauce made with Northern Spys.
What’s your favourite apple varietal?
Blake: Ambrosia. Discovered in BC, we’ve been growing these Canadian apples for 10 years now. They have a really nice taste and they keep well.
Cailey: Fave apple, traditionally it is a Northern spy. It's just so versatile as you can snack on it, bake it an a pie or make apple sauce out of it. New variety faves are a Zestar or an Ambrosia. Zestar is one of the first crunchy apples to be harvested in the fall, and what we call the early Honey Crisp. Ambrosia is just an all around great apple - sweet, crispy and stores well over the winter.
Any future goals + dreams for the shop?
Cailey: We hope to welcome a new generation of customers to shop at Grandma Lambe’s and experience what our store and family has to offer.
Pizza, cheeseburgers or ice cream?
Blake: I’ll take them all, please.
Cailey: If I had to choose, it would be pizza!
What do you love most about living in Meaford?
Blake: Meaford is beautiful. I love that we experience all four seasons here and what they each offer.
Cailey: Meaford is SO beautiful. Everything from the water, beaches, hiking + biking trails, the harbour, the boating, and the fishing spots. So many outdoor activities available at our fingertips.
How many apple varietals do you grow at Grandma Lambe’s?
Blake: We grow 18 different varieties that span over 150 acres of orchard although, some of that acreage is reserved for pumpkins and raspberries.
Check out their website here or give them a follow on Instagram.
