There’s nothing more important to local farmers than community support, so they can continue to provide the freshest food possible during these challenging and changed times.
“The Bradford Farmers’ Market has embraced the online concept. We’ve had great success with it, and our customers can safely shop online from home Monday to Thursday, and pick up their purchases on Saturdays through our contactless drive-thru. Our customers are in and out in just a few minutes. They never have to leave their car and can still communicate through their open car windows with their favourite vendors. We’re proud we’ve created this incredibly safe option,’ says Laura Vree, Market Manager.
The farmers’ market in Creemore is also offering online shopping through a unique platform and will be open until Thanksgiving.
“This is a great opportunity for farmers to try online sales. There’s also the opportunity to sell on Local Line, a proprietary platform out of Kitchener. Once farmers are set up online, it won’t matter when another pandemic or disaster comes along. They’ll still be able to run their business. The market can become a pick-up spot for customers who shopped online,” says Helen Martin, Market Manager at The Creemore Farmers’ Market.
There’s been some confusion for farmers who sell at several markets because some markets have chosen a different online platform just for them, which means there’s separate inventory for each different platform, explains Martin.
“The way to get around this is to set up one store, then link all other listings with other markets to that one store.”
The Creemore Farmers’ Market has a website with a list of their vendors, and a direct link to their online store no matter what platform they’re on. They’ve also listed their vendors, so they can be found easily.
The Barrie Farmers’ Market is open for walk-in shopping in a traditional market format, but the market is temporarily set up in the parking lot behind City Hall with a single entrance and exit at Mulcaster Street, extra space between vendors, and physical distancing protocols for shopping.
“We’re looking forward to the day we can expand into a bigger space and welcome back more vendors. As soon as the provincial rules change, we’d love to include the local buskers and community groups that have made the Barrie Farmers’ Market the place to be on Saturday mornings,” says Kathrine Killam, Director of Market’s Board of Directors & Representative of Camphill Communities.
If you prefer to wait outside the market for contact-free pick up, you can still shop local through the market’s online store through the Local Line platform.
Brooke Girdwood, Farmers’ Market Manager in Collingwood, says they’re working hard to get the market up and running this season.
“Customers can rest assured we’ve accounted for physical distancing with painted arrows to help traffic flow and will provide sanitation, and masks. The 2020 market will offer a different experience from previous years, but it’s still a great way to support local farmers and be active in your community.”
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMERS’ MARKET
Shopping either online or onsite, local producers are adjusting to the times.
Alliston Farmers’ Market
Every Saturday till the end of October 8 am to 2 pm.
You can find them at Centre Street and Victoria Street.
allistonbia.com/farmers-market-2/
Barrie Farmers’ Market
Pre-order Monday to Friday and pick up on Saturday’s 8 am to 12 pm or simply visit them at the Barrie City Hall at Collier Street and Mulcaster Street.
barriefarmersmarket.ca
Bradford Farmers’ Market
Online pre-order before Thursday at 9 pm and pick up Saturday morning between 9 am and 12 noon. Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library at 425 Holland Street West.
localline.ca/bradford-farmers-market
Collingwood Downtown Farmers’ Market
The market is open from 8 am to 9 am to accommodate
pre-ordered items and seniors, and will continue to 1 pm
Located at the corner of Second and Pine Streets Collingwood.
collingwooddowntown.com/farmers-market/
Creemore Farmers’ Market
Online Pre-order available or shop in person.
Saturday 8:30 am to 12:30 pm Corner of Mill and Edward Street
creemorefarmersmarket.ca/
Elmvale Flea and Farmers’ Market
Operating Thursdays and Sundays (May 24 – Thanksgiving) between 9 am and 3 pm Rain or Shine, for over 75 years! 1568 County Road 92, Elmvale.
facebook.com/ElmvaleFleaAndFarmersMarket/
Innisfil Farmers’ Market
Main Market located at 7315 Yonge Street Innisfil in the parking
lot of the Innisfil Recreational Complex. Thursdays from 1 pm to 6 pm until Oct 8…AND at the Tanger Outlet Cookstown Fridays from 1 pm to 6 pm running until Sept 4th.
Innisfilfarmersmarket.ca
Midland Summer Market
Operating until Thanksgiving weekend at 526 Bay Street across from Grounded Coffee on Sundays 9 am to 1 pm.
sgbfarmersmarkets.com
Orillia Fairgrounds Farmers’ Market
Open for walk in business and offering online market shopping Monday 8 am to Wednesday 8 pm with pick-up at ODAS on Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm.
orilliafairgroundsfarmersmarket.ca
Victoria Harbour Farmers’ Market
Located at Veterans Lane by the library on Fridays 3 pm to 7 pm.
sgbfarmersmarkets.com
Wasaga Beach Farmers’ Market
Runs Tuesday evenings from 4 pm until dusk with the final date being Tuesday October 6th at the RecPlex, 1724 Mosley Street.
wasagabeachfarmersmarket.ca
