After a challenging two years, organizers of the Codrington Farmers’ Market are promising this season will be better than ever for a variety of reasons.
In its eighth year at the Codrington Community Centre, the hugely popular rural market is set to open for the 2022 season on Sunday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Liana Palmer and Diana Scott, volunteer organizers of the market, said the 2022 market season will be like a breath of fresh air, as many of the elements of the pre-COVID market are returning, along with several new wrinkles, including new vendors, a newly expanded Artisan Marketplace and the return of live music, which had been missing for the past two seasons.
“We have new vendors, too, bringing more variety. Our vendors are all local and they really like talking to customers,” added Scott.
In talking about the larger Artisan Marketplace, Scott said it will be complementary to the Farmers’ Market. There will be no re-sellers, and the crafters will feature a wide variety of products, including sewing and knitting, pet products, toys, jewelry, wooden signs, skin care and craft kids, to name a few.
The Farmers’ Market will also have a wood-fired pizza vendor this year, along a producer who will be selling micro-greens on an occasional basis at the market, said Palmer. There’s a new craft brewer — Wild Card Craft Brewery from Trenton — that will be on site. As well, there will be a vendor selling quail and duck eggs.
And, live music is back. The duo Bill & Lynn from the Marmora area will kick off the market and will be playing country and folk favourites under the gazebo on Sunday, May 1 during market hours.
Palmer noted in the past several years, the trend has been gaining momentum for people to buy locally produced foods and goods and that has been manifested at the market. They like the experience of buying from, and getting to know, local producers.
“We found over the last eight years, that people are buying into this idea of buying local, even though it can be more expensive. They see the value in fresh food and supporting local small businesses,” said Palmer.
Scott added the food-to-table movement is a concept that has been embraced locally and it’s been good for local producers and market-goers, too.
So, what makes the Codrington Farmers’ Market such a special place on a Sunday? Scott said it’s become a go-to for many people because it has something for everyone and after a week of rushing around, it’s an unhurried experience where people can simply take their time, browse and enjoy the rural surroundings.
The Codrington branch of the Brighton Public Library is open during market hours, too. There is lots of parking and the venue is barrier-free.
The market is at 2992 County Rd. 30 in Codrington.
“Bring the family, bring friends, bring your dog on a leash, and enjoy the only market around that’s in a truly rural setting,” said Scott.
(Written by Alan Rivett)
