Ross Ferry market back on.
Producers to set up at bottom of driveways
BOULARDERIE — The farmers market in Ross Ferry is going to be more of a roll-up affair than a sit down one for 2020.
Due to guidelines in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, which require social distancing between vendors and customers as well as no sit-down areas for eating, the market won’t be held in one location. Nor will it be indoors.
Instead, vendors will set up at the end of driveways around Boularderie and customers will drive up to shop.
“You wouldn’t believe how difficult it would be for us to try and set up under the new guidelines (to stop the spread of COVID-19),” said Ross Farmers Market coordinator Joella Foulds.
“Our market is as much about community as it is about having a place for local farmers and crafters to sell… Our customers like to come out and socialize. If people can’t chat and have a cup of tea there’s no point (in operating the way we were).”
Renamed the Ross Ferry Farm Gate Market, there are currently 11 of their usual 17 vendors who have signed to participate. However, there may be more by the time they hold their first Sunday afternoon market on July 5.
“It seems to have been well received. Since announcing it (on June 10), we’ve received a couple of new vendor applications,” said Foulds who is also a participating vendor.
“We’re hoping people in Cape Breton will come out and do what they always do — go for a Sunday drive around Boularderie.”
Terri Shobbrook, owner of Seaweed and Sod Farm Bed and Breakfast in Kempt Head, has been a vendor at the Ross Ferry Farmers Market since its inception in 2015. A strong believer in the educational benefits of farmers’ markets, Shobbrook said she thinks the drive-up approach adds to this.
“Farmers’ markets are a really good way to teach people where their food comes from,” she said, recalling a story of a man who wanted potatoes in July from the market and was angry because he didn’t understand they weren’t finished growing yet.
“We thought with our farm gate model it would be a really good way to show people where their farmers grow their food… We have livestock too, so this way people can see the chickens and alpacas.”
From 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. from July 5 until September, the farm gate market will run and Foulds said 90 per cent of the vendors are setting up at the bottom of their own driveways. Some, like her daughter-in-law Maura Lee Morykot who is a jewelry designer, are setting up on another vendor’s property. They can do this if they are part of the approved bubble or can properly follow social distancing rules.
Silver Birch Acres is another vendor participating in the farm gate market, eager to return for another year despite the operational changes.
“We agreed to be a part of this new style of farmers’ market because we love our tight-knit community and being able to supply our customers, both from the community and those out for a Sunday drive,” said Emmaly Macneil who operates the farm with her partner Joey Forrest.
“We are happy to support our customers every year and even more so during this particular season.”