Farmers’ Market season extends through winter

The Creemore Farmers’ Market is expanding its season through the winter months.

Market manager Helen Martin said the decision to add two markets each month from December to March was made because there was interest from vendors, consumers and downtown Creemore businesses.

“Farmers’ markets are a proven local economic driver in all communities and the demand for more markets is growing exponentially every year,” said Martin. “That is also true of the Saturday Creemore and Sunday Mulmur Farmers’ Markets.”

She said over the past few years farmers and producers indicated they wanted to keep the momentum of the summer market season going throughout the winter, to maintain a year-round connection with their customer base.

“ When customers have developed a relationship with a producer they want to buy from them all the time not have to switch to other markets or stores in the off-season. There was much enthusiasm at Thanksgiving when we announced to customers and visitors at the market that a winter market was going to happen this year,” said Martin.

“Since some of our producers are also vendors in Orangeville on alternate Saturday mornings, the decision to have our market on the opposite weekends worked out well for them. Winter production is usually done on a smaller scale than summer production, which means that weekly yield does not have to be divided between two markets.”

The winter market vendors, a combination of those from the Creemore and Mulmur markets, will be selling veal, beef, pork, lamb, cheese, pasteurized sheep milk, greens and root vegetables, honey, lavender, cider, sheep and alpaca yarn, preserves, bread, and other baked goods from several bakers. Vendors will also have hot and cold ready-to-eat food available for purchase.

The winter markets are at Station on the Green in Creemore from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following Saturdays; Dec. 9 and 23, Jan. 6 and 20, Feb. 3 and 17, March 3 and 17.

Trina Berlo photo: Woodcarver Bob Dunn and wife Carol Dunn, of Lisle, at their festive Primitive Antique Carvings booth at the Christmas Creemore Farmers’ Market Saturday.