Farmers markets looking for fresh ideas

Nowhere is the cornucopia of local food more evident than at farmers’ markets. They’re steeped in history, right back to when they were a popular outlet for buying necessities, not novelties.

But these days, markets are challenged to maintain the right combination of food and non-food vendors to attract patrons, while following stringent but important public health regulations for preparing and offering food.

Administratively, provincial red tape surrounding onsite food preparation forces many vendors to avoid it.

But that prompts criticism. The public considers fresh, local and prepared food a big attraction at markets. People want more than a flea market. Being able to grab something to munch on while you cruise around the market and check out the other attractions is a big deal. Plus, food preparation makes a market smell great.

When COVID ended, it was thought that farmers’ markets would be swamped with people. Cooped-up consumers were anxious to get out and circulate again. But it turns out that the selection at a farmers’ market is as important as the trek there.

Now, a group of community-minded food enthusiasts is brainstorming opportunities for creating more awareness about farmers’ markets — and not just among patrons.

Benefits accrue to the community, to farmers and to start-up businesses when the local farmers’ market is succeeding. There’s a ripple effect for those who support visitors, such as gas stations and coffeeshops, as well as other retailers.

And, of course, there are advantages to the farmers themselves, who either have a booth at the market or support others who do.

Christina Mann, Wellington County economic development manager, is part of the group trying to find ways to pave the way for the right mix of vendors at farmers’ markets.

“We can be proud to have so many markets across the county,” she says. “The best thing is that we support each other, and undertake