When a town has a great farmers’ market, it’s a pretty good indication that the community supports and cares about the local economy.
At least that’s the way Christine Mercier, market manager of Morinville Farmers' Market, was saying as the town’s summer season market came to a close Sunday, Oct. 3.
“The highest amount we had in four hours was about 700 people. Last year, it was about 50,” said Mercier, who credited a different management style and a greater diversity of vendors to the significant rebound.
Whether a person is an earth-friendly hippie or a modern day hipster, shoppers strolling through the open-air market would have seen an assortment of salt-of-the-earth vendors peddling fresh fruits, veggies, micro-greens, sausages, jams, pies, blankets, home décor, masks, dresses, jewelry and toiletries.
And their supportive smiles echoed the friendly community spirit. First-time vendors in Morinville, Lisa and Jon Cheesman, makers of Clumsy Cat birdhouses and designer seed cakes for our feathered friends, described their summer stint as “fun.”
“At the beginning, birdhouses were selling hot and heavy. But once whoever was interested in a birdhouse purchased one, it slowed down and we started with the bird feed,” said Lisa, a stay-at-home mom.
She refers to bell-shaped and wreath-shaped high-calorie feeders constructed exclusively from seeds, peanut butter and a few other fowl-friendly ingredients.
The bird-loving couple started this adventure in carpentry after Jon, an oil and gas chemist working for a private lab, needed a relaxing outlet from the stresses of work.
“Life can get away from you. We discovered birds and our brain found a way to deal with the stress. First came the carpentry and then the birdhouses,” Jon said.
Debra Claypool, who had just moved to Morinville from Edmonton, was just discovering the local market – especially the fire-breathing beef jerky and pepper jelly.
“I’d rather buy local than a store. It’s important to support the local economy, especially small business. When you put money back into small business, they can improve and expand, especially during a pandemic,” said Claypool.
As an appreciative newcomer to town with a focus to supporting the local vendors either trying to make a living or topping up their income, Claypool is exactly the type of shopper Mercier hopes to attract as the winter and special occasion markets swing into action.
The indoor Morinville Market will run every Sunday between Oct. 18 and Nov. 15 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rendez-Vous Centre. A special Halloween Market takes place on Oct. 25.
“All the vendors will be dressed up in costume and all children who arrive wearing a costume will receive a small gift,” Mercier said.
In addition, a special Christmas Market will be held on two successive Sundays, Nov. 22 and Nov. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Morinville Rendez-Vous Centre, 9913–104 St.
On a side note, St. Albert Farmers’ Market’s last day of the summer season is Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The market is located at Servus Place, 400 Campbell Rd.
