A passion for produce
Downtown Charlottetown transformed into the Island’s largest outdoor market and street festival
Growing produce organically is big in Kevin Arsenault’s heart.
Arsenault grew up on a potato farm in Kinkora that used pesticides, which eventually made him think about the alternative ways to grow food safely.
“I wanted to prove to myself that you could grow food that you didn’t need to use these chemicals and I was amazed at how easy it is, with healthy soil, to grow healthy food,” said Arsenault while working his booth at Farm Day in the City on Sunday.
Arsenault was one of more than 165 vendors at the 11th annual Farm Day in the City, which transformed the lower part of Queen Street and Victoria Row into P.E.I.’s largest outdoor market and street festival.
The Fall Flavours event drew in thousands of people to downtown Charlottetown to celebrate the fall harvest.
Arsenault said the event is great for small producers.
“Absolutely fantastic,” he said. “When you get weather like this, bonus.”
Farmers, producers, hot food purveyors, crafters and artisans lined both sides of Queen Street, selling everything from honey to necklaces.
Beth Cullen of Charlottetown said she tries to make it to the event every year.
She said she couldn’t help but notice the happiness radiating from everyone in the street this year.
“Look at the smiles on everyone’s faces,” she said. “Everyone is so happy to be here and there’s a lot of interesting produce and art and food, and it’s just a celebration of what we are on P.E.I. and I think it’s great.”
Arsenault’s own passion for organic produce eventually led him to be the executive director of the National Farmers Union of Canada in the early 1990s.
He now runs Eastside Organics from his Fort Augustus home.
Arsenault does not have a farm. The organic vegetables come from his four garden beds and greenhouse.
The garden beds are 75-feet long and 25-feet wide. The greenhouse is 24-feet long and 12-feet wide.
He also does everything with his own hands.
“No farm equipment, just a hoe,” said Arsenault.
One of the tricks to Arsenault’s garden is the soil and its mix of seashell compost and wood ash.
He also sells an array of preserves which he makes from what he grows, as well as jams made from wild berries he picks.
Arsenault has gardened for the last seven years.
He transitioned to selling his product three years ago. Throughout the summer, Arsenault sells his products at the Downtown Farmers Market on Queen Street.
Organic produce isn’t just a hobby or job for Arsenault, but a passion.
“It’s a life of prayer for me,” he said. “To be in the garden for me, it’s that close to being in church.”