Two new locations for the Frontenac Farmers Market

May 08, 2014

Regular vendors at the Frontenac Farmers Market (FFM) braved a cold and rainy season opener on May 3 at their new Saturday location. The FFM has moved from its long time location at the Verona Lions Hall to the parking lot of Prince Charles Public School in Verona, where it will be holding its regular market from 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

In addition, the market has expanded to include a regular Friday afternoon market that will be held from 3 – 7pm beginning May 16 in Harrowsmith at the junction where the K&P Trail meets Road 38 just south of the village. The moves have been made in an effort to increase attendance by making the market more visible to passing traffic, and the additional Friday afternoon slot hopes to attract weekend traffic as cottagers and tourists head north on Road 38 to lake country.

Debbie Harris, who is the treasurer/manager of the market and also a vendor, hopes the changes will make a difference in the number of visitors who attend. “The short 45 second drive that it takes from Road 38 to the Lions hall is not the real issue; it is more an issue of visibility to local traffic, which we are hoping to benefit from,” Harris said.

Road 38 is a busy corridor, especially in the warm weather months when cottagers and tourists use the road to access cottages and other weekend destinations in the area and further north. The Friday market, according to Harris, will be the only one in existence in the local area.

Many of the market’s usual vendors were in attendance at Saturday's opener including Haanover Farms who sell ecologically raised pork; Tuckamore Farms and Casey’s Cookies who sell seedlings, produce, and home made pet treats; Melody, the Tye Dye lady with her tie-dyed apparel; newcomer Pat and Kate Joslin of Bear Root Farm in Verona who sell seedlings and produce; and Judy of Judy's Jams Jellies and Jarfuls. Also on hand was Middle eastern cuisine from Memories of Alexandria, knitted items from Gina's Warm and Woolies, cards and butter tarts by Sharron Sole, and produce and meats from Sands Produce and Rock Ledge Farms. Interested vendors and shoppers can find out more information about the market and its vendors by visiting www.frontenacfarmersmarket.ca. While Harris said that certain aspects of the old location will be missed, (especially the Lions' breakfasts), she is hopeful that the move and the addition of the Friday market will increase attendance for the 2014 season. The Saturday market in Verona will run from May 3 to October 25 and the Friday market in Harrowsmith from May 16 to August 29.