Creating a unique community of its own
Tatamagouche Farmers’ Market serves food and relationships
In every community, there are spaces apart from our homes and work where we gather to connect with our fellow residents.
These spaces are often built around our most basic necessity: food. It isn’t only our love of good food that creates the sense of community, but a shared enjoyment of knowing where our food comes from. And farmers’ markets across Nova Scotia are the notorious beacon to our love of food as community.
The Tatamagouche Farmers’ Market has returned for its 2023 season. With more than 20 vendors, the market restarted its weekly Saturday hours on Feb. 4. Located in the beautiful Tatamagouche Creamery Square, the market is where residents find local products from community vendors and cultivate the sense of belonging that Tatamagouche is so well known for.
Christine Harris, the chair of the market’s board and a weekly vendor, understands the importance of the community space.
“The Tatamagouche Farmers’ Market is where community is felt, built and strengthened,” says Harris.
“In their decision to buy local, folks are finding more than just growers and makers.
They are discovering friends, support and inspiration.”
The proof is in the pudding. Visit the market any Saturday and you’ll see locals and visitors not only picking up necessities, but connecting with friends, enjoying live music and cultivating new relationships with vendors.
“Our market isn’t just a place to find good food,” remarks market manager Shawn Crouse, “but an organization that promotes an ecologically and economically sustainable community.” Crouse, who has been manager since 2020, searches to not only maintain a thriving farmers’ market, but build an institution that acts as a community safety net in the face of rising food insecurity.
“When your customer is your friend, you see new economies arise,” notes Crouse. “Economies based in trust, bartering and a commitment to ensuring one another’s needs are met.”
In the last two years, with the support of the Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia’s Nourishing Communities program, the market has distributed more than $32,000 in market bucks to families and individuals with financial and physical barriers. Market bucks can be used as cash throughout the market with vendors reimbursed through the program. It’s a testament to how a market can play an integral role in caring for its community.
A pillar of both Creamery Square and Tatamagouche, our farmers’ market is vital to providing community space and belonging. Supporting these spaces means both a pleasant Saturday morning with good food and knowing that you’re a part of a local economy.
Harris affectionately remarks that “personally, the market has been the catalyst in helping me find likeminded people who have become my village.”
The best part is this experience is open to anyone who wants to participate. The only requirement is showing up.
The Tatamagouche Farmers’ Market operates every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and can be found at the end of Creamery Road off Main Street in Tatamagouche. You can find out more at www. tatafarmersmarket.com.
Marshall Feit works from his home in Central New Annan and is the festival organizer for the annual TataFest
Music Festival. He also sits on the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council and enjoys spending his time working towards a culturally vibrant rural Nova Scotia.