The Sackville Farmers Market is spreading its wings for the summer. Starting this Saturday, the market will be back at the Bill Johnstone Park in Sackville.
CHMA spoke with new market manager Danielle Latour.
“We’re looking forward to being able to welcome new vendors and have a space that accommodates a whole lot more people,” says Latour. There are a number of seasonal market vendors who will be back for the summer, as well as new vendors including a cut flower seller and a lavender farm, says Latour.
Latour has been a market customer for years, and recently took over from former manager Michael Freeman. She says she’s excited to see how the market grows this summer.
The market also has a permanent location on its to-do list. Board directors Peter Hess and Kent Coates recently presented at Sackville town council, keeping their proposal for a town of Sackville multipurpose building to serve as a permanent market location on the radar.
“Our end goal is to have a larger location that’s indoors year round,” says Latour. “We’re still in talks with the town about possible multipurpose spaces, as well as other avenues that we’re looking into. It’s an ongoing project.”
Some of the vendors at Bill Johnstone this Saturday might also be participating in a new farmers market in the region. Market farmer Elita Rahn is helping organize a market in Port Elgin starting on May 20. The Port Elgin Farmers Market will be held every Friday afternoon from 2pm to 7pm, in the old post office at 14 East Main Street, Port Elgin.
CHMA called up Rahn to find out more:
Rahn says she’s heard from customers in past years that Fridays are a more desirable day for market shopping in the summer, especially considering the number of people headed to the shore for summer weekends. The Friday schedule also means that vendors from the Sackville market will be able to make an appearance in Port Elgin.
Rahn is a market farmer who sells produce in Sackville and occasionally Amherst. She felt Port Elgin was prime for a market because local food stores were closing down, and the area is a “hotbed of vendors” including people with eggs, meat products, crafters and artists.
Rahn says farmers markets contribute to the health and survival of small communities. “It’s the heart of your community, really,” says Rahn.
Currently there are about 15 vendors signed up, and Rahn is on the lookout for more vendors, as well as any musicians looking for a place to perform. People can get in touch on social media, or by email at elita@jolicurefarm.com