Farmers’ market to open at Rhema
Douro and District Optimist Club to run Country Show, Sale
A new farmers’ market for Douro-Dummer Township is expected to open on Saturday mornings, starting July 14, outside Rhema Christian School on County Rd. 4 just east of the city limits in Donwood.
The market – called the Country Show and Sale — is being organized by the Douro and District Optimist Club.
Market hours will be every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through to the end of September.
“We’re excited,” said Marc Trudeau of the Optimist Club. “We’ve more or less eliminated all the roadblocks we were experiencing.”
Initially, the service club wanted to hold the market outside the Douro Community Centre.
But that property is municipally owned and township council didn’t give its permission.
Doug Leahy, who operates Leahy’s Farm and Market on private property nearby, told council at a meeting June 5 that he objected to having the market outside the arena; he said it wouldn’t be fair to allow a commercial enterprise on public lands.
At a meeting on June 19, council wanted the Optimists to arrive at a “positive working relationship” with nearby business owners before it would consider granting permission for the new market to take place outside the Douro arena.
But Trudeau said the Optimists decided to look for a new location instead: they asked area churches and other property owners, eventually coming to an agreement with Rhema Christian School.
No permission as needed from elected officials, he said; it’s a private school, and officials were happy to allow the Optimist Club to use the property.
The market will have a fundraising component: Trudeau said vendor fees will be donated to local children’s sports organiza-
We’re excited. We’ve more or less eliminated all of the roadblocks we were experiencing.
MARC TRUDEAU
DOURO AND DISTRICT OPTIMISTS
tions.
Meanwhile Trudeau said the club is happy with the location along County Rd. 4, not far from Douro and just east of East City in Peterborough.
Meanwhile he says he’s receiving applications now from prospective vendors (organizers are hoping to have between 30 and 40 at the market).
Those who say they’re selling local food will be required to have verification from a program such as My Pick, Trudeau said.
NOTE: Any prospective vendors interested in applying for the new market can call Marc Trudeau at 705-933-6272 or email marc.trudeau@rocketmail.com