Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/70344
GROWING OUR WAY THIS FARMERS MARKET IS THE CREAM OF THE CROP by David Schmeichel With its 25th anniversary just around the corner, it's fair to say the St. Norbert Farmers Market's growing season was a success. While the market is now a summer mainstay — not to mention a preferred destination of diehards and day-trippers alike — its prosperity is especially impressive when you consider its modest beginnings back in 1988. "At that time, there were only eight vendors, and everything was just set up on the grass," says Marilyn Firth, the market's community relations manager for the last five years. "There were no canopies or parking lots, just people selling out of the backs of their trucks. Since then, I'd say the market has grown fairly organically … Now on a busy Saturday, we'll have about 115 vendors." Those vendors provide an exceptional array of wares, from fresh produce and baking to mouthwatering preserves and artisan crafts. Range-fed poultry and hormone-free beef or bison, jewelry made from recycled silverware and a smorgasbord of such regional favourites as sauerkraut buns, Saskatoon jam, and Filipino spring rolls are all sold by the same people who produce them. "You'll find pretty much everything you'd like to — all locally made," Firth says. "We actually inspect our vendors to make sure that what they're bringing to the market, they have baked or grown themselves." Operated as a non-profit co-operative, the market was first launched by St. Norbert resident Robert Roehle, as a means of meeting community-use criteria set by the St. Norbert Foundation, from whom the site was rented. In the years since, it's expanded to the point that many thousands of patrons pass through its aisles each weekend — and while it's not the only game in town, it's widely considered the biggest and best. 24 MBiz June 2012 Shoppers in the market for plants, crafts, fine food and fun find it all at St. Norbert Farmers Market. Photo credit: Darcy Finley "A lot of that just has to do with the space itself," Firth says. "There are some smaller markets in the city that don't really have room to grow into. Markets almost have to reach a certain size, and then their growth can continue. But it's hard to get to that initial size." Part of the market's popularity can no doubt be traced to the uptick in awareness of ethical farming methods and sustainable living — not to mention concerns relating to healthy diets and environmental footprints. "People are more aware of their food, and where that food is coming from," says Firth, who first got involved with the market as a vendor, since her family runs a company called Almost Urban Vegetables. "They want to know the people who are growing it because they're aware there's a lot of agri-business out there where they don't know the practices. At a farmers market, you can meet the farmer and ask about those things. "You also know it's coming from close to home, and that's important to people who are concerned about emissions and the environment and those big vehicles that have to travel long distances." Market staff — two part-time administrators, plus a few seasonal workers employed during market hours — strive to keep the operation ecologically sound by providing recycling and compost stations throughout the grounds. Seasonal cooking demos show foodies how to make the most of their locally grown bounty, while wildlife exhibits and a full slate of buskers and musicians ensure there's always something to keep the kids interested. The Market runs until Oct. 22, with vendors on site every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. There's also a Wednesday market, which runs until Sept. 26, from noon to 6 p.m. www.stnorbertfarmersmarket.ca CAPITAL