We're Hiring: Assistant Market Manager
Job Postings
PETERBOROUGH REGIONAL FARMERS’ MARKET
Job Title: Assistant Market Manager
Reports to: Market Manager
Note: As the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market has been deemed an essential service, we are currently in operation at Citi Center in downtown Peterborough on Saturdays. We are looking for an Assistant Market Manager who will assist in market day operations. The position reports to the Market Manager.
A Typical Market day:
Briefing Market Manager regarding day specific tasks and goals.
Assist in market day set-up
Greet and assist Vendors where required.
Data collection through implementation of vendor surveys.
Report and communicate daily events to the Market Manager.
Assist with end of day procedures.
Make recommendations for ongoing improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
Represent the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market to the market community.
Promote and share the mission and values of the Farmers’ Market.
Maintain a friendly and positive market atmosphere.
Communicate promptly and effectively to the Market Manager with feedback from Vendors and customers.
Follow all relevant health and safety procedures.
Additional Requirements Regarding Market Operations During Covid-19 Pandemic
Practice and promote physical distancing and additional Covid-19 related requirements with market staff, vendors and customers.
Communicate Covid-19 response efforts to market customers with compassion and understanding.
Assist in the management of customer foot traffic according to market procedure where required.
Additional Responsibilities post the State of Emergency
Promote and maintain sales of market merchandise.
Engage with market customers to promote merchandise sales and participate in market initiatives.
Process merchandise sales and complete daily sales reporting.
Maintain Market booth throughout the day through creative merchandising and related housekeeping.
Complete monthly inventory count of merchandise.
Significant Qualifications:
Passion for supporting local agriculture and environmental sustainability.
Positive attitude and team player.
Engaging customer service.
Ability to lift 40lbs.
Creative problem solving.
Experience with cash handling and retail.
If you are passionate about connecting your community to local food and supporting local Farmers and Small Businesses, we want to work with you! Please forward your resume with a cover letter to info@ptbofarmers.com by May 10, 2020.
Hours per week: 8 hours (6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays, 1 flexible hour during the week)
Rate per hour: $15/hour
Starting: May 16th, or as soon as possible.
COVID-19 update April 2020
COVID-19 update April 2020
The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market will continue to operate every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Citi Center, at the corner of Aylmer and Charlotte Streets in downtown Peterborough. The market has adjusted operations to be an outdoor grocery store and has taken measures to ensure customer and vendor well being, health and safety. We have been in regular communication with Peterborough Public Health and they have been inspecting our operations every week.
Over 20 vendors (listed below) continue to participate at the Market every Saturday. Please consider contacting these vendors and arranging preorder and prepayment, so you can quickly and safely pick up your order at market with limited social interaction.
Other Market vendors have withdrawn from the market temporary, but are offering alternative modes of distribution and delivery. If you can’t find your favourite vendor on the list below, go to our vendor profile page and contact them directly to find out how you can still purchase their products.
Local farmers, small businesses and farmers’ markets are a very important part of a resilient local food system. They become even more important during times of crisis and uncertainty. We would like to thank all the local farmers and small businesses that continue to provide our community with healthy food. We would also like to thank all our customers who continue to support local farmers and small businesses in the region. We are a resilient community!
Be Safe.
Province confirms markets as an essential service
For Immediate Release
Saturday Farmers’ Market – Your Local Outdoor Grocery Store
Province confirms markets as an essential service
March 25, 2020 – Peterborough – The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market (PRFM), which moved operations outdoors as a precautionary measure last week, will continue to ensure customers have access to local food. Through ongoing dialogue with the Peterborough Public Health (PPH), market operations will be adjusted as the situation evolves.
“The province has clearly recognized that farmers, food providers and markets are essential services” said Josh Blank on behalf of the PRFM. “We are encouraging prepackaging, pre-ordering and prepaying whenever possible to further reduce any risk. We are also asking customers not to bring their dogs with them as they may be transmitters of the virus.”
On March 23, the Ontario government released its list of essential services – business not to be closed in response to COVID 19. Included in that list are:
- Grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, markets and other similar retailers;
- Businesses that farm, harvest, process, manufacture, produce or distribute food, including beverages, crops, animal products and by-products; and
- Restaurants and other food facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or takeaway, together with food delivery services.
“People seem to be respecting the need for social distancing while accepting the fact that they will continue to need food”, added Blank. “It’s certainly not “business as usual” for the farmers’ market.”
This Saturday the downtown Farmers’ Market will again be located at Citi Centre, at the corner of Aylmer and Charlotte Streets and will be open from 9 am. until 12:00 p.m.. As the situation evolves, customers will be updated through the Market’s social media platforms.
For a list of vendors attending the market and for pre-order information visit: https://www.ptboregionalfarmersmarket.org/
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Province Confirms Markets as an Essential Service
For Immediate Release
Saturday Farmers’ Market – Your Local Outdoor Grocery Store
Province confirms markets as an essential service
March 25, 2020 – Peterborough – The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market (PRFM), which moved operations outdoors as a precautionary measure last week, will continue to ensure customers have access to local food. Through ongoing dialogue with the Peterborough Regional Health Unit (PRHU), market operations will be adjusted as the situation evolves.
“The province has clearly recognized that farmers, food providers and markets are essential services” said Josh Blank on behalf of the PRFM. “We are encouraging prepackaging, pre-ordering and prepaying whenever possible to further reduce any risk. We are also asking customers not to bring their dogs with them as they may be transmitters of the virus.”
On March 23, the Ontario government released its list of essential services – business not to be closed in response to COVID 19. Included in that list are:
- Grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, markets and other similar retailers;
- Businesses that farm, harvest, process, manufacture, produce or distribute food, including beverages, crops, animal products and by-products; and
- Restaurants and other food facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or takeaway, together with food delivery services.
“People seem to be respecting the need for social distancing while accepting the fact that they will continue to need food”, added Blank. “It’s certainly not “business as usual” for the farmers’ market.”
This Saturday the downtown Farmers’ Market will again be located at Citi Centre, at the corner of Aylmer and Charlotte Streets and will be open from 9 am. until 12:00 p.m.. As the situation evolves, customers will be updated through the Market’s social media platforms.
For a list of vendors attending the market and for pre-order information visit: https://www.ptboregionalfarmersmarket.org/
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Market Moving Outdoors as a Preventative Measure
For Immediate Release
Downtown Peterborough Farmers' Market to provide local food
Market moving outdoors as a preventative measure
March 18, 2020 – Peterborough – The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market (PRFM), with advice and support from the Local Health Unit, will be moving its Saturday market outdoors on March 21st in response to the COVID 19 situation. As is the case with grocery stores and other essential services, the market will ensure customers have access to the products they need during these challenging times.
“We believe that it’s prudent to move outside at this point and continue to support our vendors and customers” said Julie Fleming on behalf of the PRFM. “We encourage the community to enjoy local products and to help us adjust to changing circumstances.”
For the next four Saturdays, the downtown Farmers’ Market will be located at Citi Centre (our previous summer location, at the corner of Aylmer and Charlotte Streets) and will be open from 9 am. until 12:00 p.m. As the situation evolves, customers will be updated through the Market’s website and social media platforms.
Notable Changes:
1. At the Citi Centre we will be able to limit contact with surface areas, limit lingering crowds and increase fresh air circulation and distance between vendors and guests.
2. We are asking vendors to pre-package certain goods, to limit all displays, and further limit contact with goods sold. Although we take precautions normally, we will continuously work to decrease any potential sources of contamination or potential spread.
3. We recommend that you contact the businesses you know ahead of time and ‘pre-order’ from them. This will allow you to conduct business more efficiently and minimize gathering, as well as minimize the handling of cash. Many vendors will be able to do online orders. You can find the list of businesses here and contact them directly: https://www.ptboregionalfarmersmarket.org/partners
4. There will be no seating areas, no dishwashing station, no play areas and no formal places where groups can gather.
5. We ask that all guests and vendors maintain high levels of healthy hygiene habits, including hand washing, use of anti-bacterial hand wash, wearing gloves if necessary and limiting interactions. If you are sick, have recently traveled or have any potential exposure to illness, we request that you please stay home and continue to drastically limit social interactions. While at the market we ask that you continue to maintain a social distance with other market patrons.
We would like to thank Brad Smith who has generously allowed us to use the Citi-Center for the coming weeks, and we would also like to thank Peterborough Square, as they have been extremely supportive throughout this challenging time. We are so thankful for our downtown partners.
Peterborough Square Confirmed as year-round location for Saturday Market
For Immediate Release
Downtown Peterborough to Become the Market Destination
Peterborough Square Confirmed as year-round location for Saturday Market
February 28, 2020 – Peterborough – The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market (PRFM) is pleased to announce that Peterborough Square has been confirmed as the year-round location for the successful Saturday farmers’ market. The decision follows consultation with vendors, volunteers and other stakeholders, and the approval by the City of the Market’s application for street closures to facilitate the summer location.
“We are excited about the opportunities that a permanent home at Peterborough Square offers for connections with the community” said Julie Fleming on behalf of the PRFM. “Downtown Peterborough is undergoing a revitalization and we’re pleased to be a part of that positive movement.”
All of your favourite and many new vendors will gather in the Peterborough Square Courtyard and along Charlotte Street between George and Water from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday from the first weekend in May to Thanksgiving. There will be plenty of easy downtown parking and support for shopping in Peterborough's core.
“We are so pleased to host the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market on our newly redeveloped courtyard at Charlotte and Water Street”, said Adam Jacobson, MPI Group Inc., from the ownership group of Peterborough Square. “We have high hopes that this space will be used for events and public gatherings and add to the vibrancy of downtown Peterborough”.
The Saturday market operates under the umbrella of the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Network (The Network). The Peterborough Downtown Farmers’ Market, which operates on Wednesdays on Charlotte Street, has also joined the Network. Both markets place an emphasis on the promotion of products from verified local farmers.
“I also want to take this opportunity to publicly thank Brad Smith from the AON Citi Centre for his unwavering support of the PRFM”, added Fleming. “Without Brad we wouldn't have been able to launch our market downtown, and we are grateful for his continued support of the PRFM and downtown farmers' markets.”
For more information visit: https://www.ptboregionalfarmersmarket.org/
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Peterborough Farm Family of the Year
So proud of this beautiful, powerhouse farm family - McLean Berry Farm, named "Peterborough Farm Family of the Year". Announced by The Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture and the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce.
We're proud to have them as a vendor at the PRFM and so lucky to have them involved in the leadership and governance of Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market & Peterborough Regional Farmers Network.
Celebrating two incredible downtown businesswomen who we are lucky to have with us as vendors each week at the PRFM
Downtown Peterborough entrepreneurs who won storefronts share personal stories of anxiety and growth
By Taylor Clysdale
March 8, 2019
Tina Bromley says building up her business and opening her own storefront became a personal journey, finding success despite losing a cornerstone in her life
Nadine McCallem fills bottles with oils for products in her shop, Ritual Apothecary. Her business was the second to come out on top in the Win This Space contest, to which she received free rent for a downtown Peterborough storefront for one year. - Taylor Clysdale/Metroland
More dilapidated and empty storefronts in downtown Peterborough have been reinvigorated in recent years with youthful energy of new businesses starting up.
In part it’s due to the Win This Space contest, an annual challenge hosted by the Downtown Peterborough Business Improvement Area where new-business owners flesh out their plans for a chance win a downtown storefront with free rent for a year.
But ask either of the previous winners and they’ll tell you their stories don’t begin or end with the contest. Being a small-business owner has required more effort, stress and self-challenging than anyone could anticipate. It’s a deeply personal journey where self-improvement has been a constant focus.
Winning the contest? Both victors say that was the easy part.
But learning how to run a business, growing and maturing as you go? That’s the real test.
Nadine McCallen fills bottled with oils in the back of her shop. She walks customers through her products in her storefront which smells like a spiced forest.
Her business, Ritual Apothecary, sells herbal remedies, organic skin care products, bath bombs, soaps and more. Much of it is handmade by McCallen.
In 2018 she won the Win This Space contest and launched her homegrown business into a storefront on Charlotte Street.
Tina Bromley, owner of Tiny Greens Plant Café, knows that feeling well. She sits in her storefront, surrounded by miniature potted plants and workshop tables.
As she sits down for her interview a customer walks in. She’s a regular, and was also Bromley’s 10,000th customer which earned her a lifetime 10-per-cent discount.
Turning Tiny Greens into a downtown business was a process that involved her going down a path without her mother, who was one of her most important supporters. But she says she’s proud of what she’s managed to create and how she’s managed to change herself throughout.
“Being an entrepreneur, it’s not just about business. For me it’s like an exciting journey of the self,” she says.
Bromley was raised in a family of entrepreneurs and began working with microgreens after having her first child, to try and improve her health.
While it started as a hobby, people around her started offering to pay for her microgreens so she began to consider expanding it into a business.
After her third child she says money was tight and she wanted to help pay the bills, so she started taking her microgreens to the farmers market. She began to see success at the market and was even taking special orders.
Peterborough Regional Farmers' Market Video
Check out this beautiful new video from Brian Mitolo about the PRFM!
Nourish Market Dollars at the PRFM
CHEX Global News paid us a visit to learn about Market Nourish Dollars and how the program is helping farmers, as well as those in the community who face barriers to accessing fresh local food. It’s a win-win for everyone and we’re so pleased to be a participating farmers’ market in the Nourish Project!
CHEX Global News paid us a visit to learn about Market Nourish Dollars and how the program is helping farmers, as well as those in the community who face barriers to accessing fresh local food. It’s a win-win for everyone and we’re so pleased to be a participating farmers’ market in the Nourish Project!
PRFM Logo Designer Accolades
Logan Brazeau from Hatch Creative placed 5th in a global logo competition (the 8th wave of My Logo Wave) for his marvellous creation, the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Markets logo!!! 🙌
Logan Brazeau from Hatch Creative placed 5th in a global logo competition (the 8th wave of My Logo Wave) for his marvellous creation, the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Markets logo!!! 🙌
New location, same producers for downtown Saturday farmers’ market in Peterborough Peterborough
Visitors flocked to the opening of the indoor Peterborough Regional Farmers' Market on Saturday morning in the lower level of Peterborough Square. Mayor-elect Diane Therrien was on hand to greet people.
Mayor-elect Diane Therrien officially opens new indoor market location
Nov 03, 2018 by CLIFFORD SKARSTEDT Examiner Visual Journalist
Visitors flocked to the opening of the indoor Peterborough Regional Farmers' Market on Saturday morning in the lower level of Peterborough Square.
Mayor-elect Diane Therrien was on hand to greet people.
The market has moved from its summer home at the Citi Centre courtyard inside to the lower level of Peterborough Square in the space that was the temporary home for the Peterborough Public Library.
Indoor market hours are every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. running from November to April.
Vendors put down roots in new indoor space for Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market
Steps from Market Hall, where the first historical farmers’ market operated in the city, the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market has found a new winter home.
By Barb Shaw - KawarthaNOW
PublishedNovember 6, 2018
The Peterborough Regional Farmers' Market opened on Saturday, November 3rd at its new winter location in Peterborough Square in downtown Peterborough. The indoor market runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday from November to April and includes the same features as the summer outdoor market, including products from local primary producers (pictured is Brian Allin of Allin's Orchards), prepared food, artisan products, live music, and a children's area. (Photo: Barb Shaw / kawarthaNOW.com)
Steps from Market Hall, where the first historical farmers’ market operated in the city, the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market has found a new winter home — where a community of local food vendors, artists, farmers and shoppers can come together every Saturday until the end of April.
Even the marketing for the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market is local: local marketing company 79 Dev created the elevator wrap that reminds Peterborough Square patrons all week of the Saturday indoor market, and the market logo (seen in part on the floor) was designed by local agency Hatch Creative. (Photo: Barb Shaw / kawarthaNOW.com)
Pulling into the parking garage on the first morning of the indoor market, the curated experience begins immediately.
The free parking sign is out, welcoming visitors to the space, and bold and easy-to-follow signage leads a crowd of shoppers, gripping fistfuls of cloth bags, into the elevator.
Colourful images wrap the elevator space, setting the mood before the doors even open to the Peterborough Square Mall.
Caleb Pedosiuk and Sarah May, owners of a local marketing company called 79 Dev, completed all the branding work in the mall.
“No one had ever done an elevator wrap at the mall before,” Pedosiuk says.
“The images used in the wrap remind people to look forward to the market all week,” May adds.
People stream into the new space, relaxed, smiling, with children running around, playing and having fun. Large-scale photographs depicting food and family draw patrons in to the colourful, music-filled space.
The Peterborough Regional Farmers' Market opened on Saturday, November 3rd at its new winter location in Peterborough Square in downtown Peterborough. The indoor market runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday from November to April and includes the same features as the summer outdoor market, including products from local primary producers (pictured is Brian Allin of Allin's Orchards), prepared food, artisan products, live music, and a children's area. (Photo: Barb Shaw / kawarthaNOW.com)
Michael Ketemer plays the hammered dulcimer as people stroll past. Money is dropped at his feet, a small token of gratitude and a nod to efforts each market member brings to the space to create a shopping experience that feeds the whole person.
The 20,000-square-foot space is brightly painted with eight different colours, with paint generously donated by Behr and Home Depot. The effect is joyfully mood-altering.
Everywhere you look — from the walls to the brightly coloured apples, carrots, and greens — the colours all work together to deliver a burst of energy, making it easy to forget that this is an underground space in a downtown mall.
Sherry Patterson and Laura Stephens love the new indoor location for the Saturday Market. The Chick-A-Biddy Acres team was busy selling fresh, local produce at the Saturday indoor market. (Photo: Barb Shaw / kawarthaNOW.com)
Sherry Patterson is having a busy Saturday. The owner of Chick-A-Biddy Acres is selling fresh produce and chatting with shoppers at a steady pace.
“It’s a magical feeling,” she says, looking around the market. “It’s an incredible amount of work that people have done to get this ready and it is lovely to be warm — wearing my t-shirt.”
It's a magical feeling. It's an incredible amount of work that people have done to get this ready and it is lovely to be warm.
Warmth was an important piece when looking for a winter location for the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market. While their outdoor space at the Citi Centre Courtyard allowed for new expansion and growth, cold and damp winters made it necessary to find a suitable indoor option from November through April.
Gary Fenton enjoys the winter location of the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market. He cooked his rotisserie chickens in the loading bay at Peterborough Square and enjoyed the crowds looking for fresh and frozen birds. (Photo: Barb Shaw / kawarthaNOW.com)
Gary Fenton also appreciates the warmth of the new space. The owner of G. Fenton Farms doesn’t need the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market hoodie that be bought a few weeks ago. The sweatshirt is tossed on a chair and he’s in shirtsleeves, thankful for the warm, bright space.
Fenton sells chickens, rotisserie roasted, frozen and fresh. They’re all raised outside where they eat grass and bugs — which makes the birds taste great, Fenton says.
“The flavour is better and these birds are healthy,” Fenton explains. “We use zero antibiotics.”
Cindy Leahy shows off the jams and jellies produced by McLean Berry Farm. (Photo: Barb Shaw / kawarthaNOW.com)
Fenton’s chickens are popular at the market and patrons keep checking in at his stall to see when the rotisserie birds will be ready. His food trailer is parked in the loading bay of Peterborough Square and he pops in and out to check the progress as shoppers gather.
Patrons don’t mind waiting for the chickens though. There’s so much to do and see while they wait. There’s the kids’ zone tucked neatly into a corner, offering space for active play while parents shop or lounge on burlap covered hay bales, sipping fair trade coffee.
There are food booths, a community dining area, and artisans, and everyone is sharing laughter and conversation — a far cry from a typical Saturday grocery store experience.
Peterborough Mayor-Elect Diane Therrien, Peterborough Regional Farmers Network board chair Neil Hannam and board member Josh Blank, and Caleb Pedosiuk and Sarah May share their excitement about the new indoor market location at the opening on November 3, 2018. Caleb and Sarah own local marketing company 79 Dev, which did all the branding work for the indoor market in the mall. (Photo: Barb Shaw / kawarthaNOW.com)
Josh Blank is a Peterborough Regional Farmers Network (PRFN) board member and he’s making introductions, sharing hugs and handshakes, and pointing out who has been featured in what photograph. He points out the family that holds the eggs in one photo: farmers and now models.
Blank has once again brought the vision of the PRFN board to life and the first indoor market day is going well, thanks to the tremendous efforts that have been made over the past months.
“This is where the Peterborough farmers' market began and now, with these partners, we have fresh local food again in downtown Peterborough.”
“We’ve got this space for six months and it’s permanent,” he enthuses. “So we can run events and classes and the vendors get to leave their stuff here, which means more permanent displays. This is where the Peterborough farmers’ market began and now, with these partners, we have fresh local food again in downtown Peterborough.”
Blank also notes that the space was professionally designed for fun and — judging from the laughter, running kids, and smiling shoppers — the plan has worked.
Brian Allin hauls crates of apples from Allin’s Orchards to the winter location of the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market in Peterborough Square. (Photo: Barb Shaw / kawarthaNOW.com)
The PRFN’s vision for the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market was to promote a festive and vibrant community experience by inviting local food vendors and artisans into the market, showcasing the value-added production of local food and local crafts within the region. That vision has been nurtured over the past months and now it grows again, thanks to the new partnership with the owners of Peterborough Square.
And with season-extending greenhouses, a root cellar, a stone house, and the successful launch of the winter market, Sherry Patterson from Chick-A-Biddy Acres is looking forward to busy Saturdays through the winter season.
“This market and access to this food will certainly keep everyone happy, healthy, and cooking,” she says.
The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market runs at its winter location in Peterborough Square at 340 George Street North in downtown Peterborough from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday from November to April. The market is located in the lower south level by Prince Gardens.
You can easily access the market from the mall’s underground parking; simply take the Galaxy Cinema elevator or stairs and exit at the first level into the mall. You can also enter from lower Charlotte Street by Princess Gardens, or at the food court; take the escalator downstairs and head to the south end of the lower mall. The farmers’ market will be well marked from all of the mall entrances.
For more information, visit www.ptboregionalfarmersmarket.org.
Tina Bromley from Tiny Green Plant Cafe juices at the new indoor market. Bromley loveed the warmth and the bright colours of the new winter location, as well as the enthusiasm of market patrons on the opening day. (Photo: Barb Shaw / kawarthaNOW.com)
Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market enjoying a harvest of success
Only two months after opening in their Citi-Centre Courtyard space in downtown Peterborough, the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market is enjoying a harvest of success.
Shoppers are flocking to Peterborough's verified local farmers' market
By Barb Shaw - KawarthaNOW
Published August 21, 2018
Judging from its success to date, the Peterborough Regional Farmers' Market's "local food you can trust" message is resonating with the community. Sixty per cent of the market's vendors are primary producers who have gone through a third party inspection process to verify they grow 100 per cent of what they sell, with the remaining 40 per cent including bakers, prepared food vendors, artists, and community groups. Pictured is primary producer The Farm on Argyle, a family-oriented urban micro farm located just 2.5 kilometres from the market, that follows organic growing practices to produce a variety of fruit and vegetables. (Photo: Jenn Austin-Driver)
Only two months after opening in their Citi-Centre Courtyard space in downtown Peterborough, the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market is enjoying a harvest of success.
Governed by the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Network (PFRN), the new market has been building trust with patrons while supporting primary producers, who go through a complex verification process before they are allowed to participate.
“We are a verified farmers’ market,” explains PFRN Board Chair Neil Hannam. “This is about local food you can trust.”
“We are a verified farmers' market. This is about local food you can trust.
And trust is important to shoppers in the community, judging from the outstanding success of the market since its debut in early June — despite there already being two other farmers’ markets in Peterborough.
Local producer Hunnabees in Millbrook, beekeepers located 23 kilometres from the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market, produces different varieties of natural honey, infused honey, and creamed honey as well as beeswax products. (Photo: Jenn Austin-Driver)
Operating on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in a family-friendly and accessible space that nurtures community interactions, the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market is booming.
There’s little doubt that patrons of the market are connecting with the idea of buying directly from the farmer who grew, raised, harvested, or foraged the products that are being sold.
That’s because 60 per cent of the vendors at the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market are primary producers who have gone through a third-party inspection process to verify they grow 100 per cent of what they sell.
Local producer and MyPick-verified Chick-a-biddy Acres, a small farm located 30 kilometres from the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market, produces a variety of leafy greens, herbs, and other vegetables. (Photo: Jenn Austin-Driver)
Each primary producer must be verified either under MyPick®, a program started in 2006 by Farmers’ Markets Ontario, or another accepted third-party verification program.
Besides being a verified market, the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market has also quickly become a social asset for the community.
As well as local food, the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market is a social asset for the community, with areas where shoppers can sit, eat, visit, engage, and linger, and family friendly, with a kids’ zone that includes crafts, colouring, and water toys. (Photo: Jenn Austin-Driver)
The design of the market provides areas where shoppers can sit, eat, visit, engage, and linger. There’s a festive atmosphere featuring live music, and the market is family friendly, with a kids’ zone that includes crafts, colouring, and water toys.
And, most importantly, there’s the food, with so many different flavours — including some you wouldn’t expect to find at a local farmers’ market.
Like agretti, which is grown locally using seeds imported from Italy. Also called saltwort, this salt-tolerant succulent has a lemony flavor that shoppers are going crazy for. There’s also cinnamon cap mushrooms (they are great in risotto), lion’s mane mushrooms (offering a tremendous amount of protein and mouth feel to vegans), sprouts, and even squab (young pigeon).
At the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market, you can find unique products not normally found at a local farmers’ market, such as agretti (grown locally using seeds imported from Italy), cinnamon cap mushrooms, lion’s mane mushrooms, and even squab. (Photo: Jenn Austin-Driver)
And thanks to the focus on 60 per cent of the market being represented by primary producers, hard cider is now available, as well as coffee from Carolinas Colombia which has been growing coffee on their own farm in Colombia and selling roasted coffee in Peterborough since 2012.
The market is also encouraging innovation and growth, with local farmers developing and building passive solar-supported greenhouses, so that local greens are now available eight months of the year.
According to Hannam, the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market looks forward to more collaboration and growth as more and more foodies, families, and eco-conscious consumers make it their Saturday destination.
Local prepared food vendor Two Dishes Cookshop, whose business is located near the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market on Charlotte Street in downtown Peterborough, offers take-away home-cooked meals, salads, breads, and scones and other baked goods. (Photo: Jenn Austin-Driver)
“It's about enjoying the experience, slowing down, and having tons of fun.”
“It’s about enjoying the experience, slowing down, and having tons of fun,” Hannam says. “This is not just about feeding stomachs, it’s also about feeding minds.”
The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market is located at 307 Alymer Street North in downtown Peterborough and is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
For more information, visit www.ptboregionalfarmersmarket.org or email info@ptboregionalfarmersmarket.com. For highlights of what’s available at the market and updates, you can also follow the market on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Kawartha Country Wines, the first winery in the Kawarthas, is located 46 kilometres from the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market and offers fruit wines, fruit vinegars, jams, and jellies. (Photo: Jenn Austin-Driver)
Check out all this cool stuff! "I ❤️Local Dirt" & "Local Dirt Local Worth" gear, marked June 9th 2018 to commemorate the launch of our new market! Hats, t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, buttons, stickers, canvas patches and canvas bags. You can deck yourselves out while also supporting the new Peterborough Regional Farmers' Market through our Kickstater campaign! We'll have examples of the gear to show you at our June 9th market launch. And there's even an opportunity to buy a fancy farm dinner at McLean Berry Farm!
Kickstarter News Articles, June 2, 2018.
PRFN - New Saturday Farmers’ Market Branding RFP (revised proposal deadline June 1st)
The Peterborough Regional Farmers Network (PRFN) has launched a new Saturday, downtown Farmers’ Market starting on June 9. At this time, we have no official logo, tagline or brand guidelines for the new Market. At this time, PRFN requires the services of a marketing firm, or individual, to create a logo, tagline and basic brand guidelines. For more information, click below.