The Georgina Community Farmers’ market invites you to its first-ever Community Support and Awareness Day Aug. 1.
“The intent of the day is to foster community relationships and create a stronger identity with those that serve and live in Georgina and, of course, to provide locally produced goods and wares,” market spokesperson Tricia Richens said.
York Regional Police, Georgina Fire Department and other community organizations will be there to answer your questions and get to know you better.
“Farmers’ Markets have united the urban and rural segments of our populations for centuries.
“Although there was a decline in markets due to urbanization and intensive farming methods communities have a new found interest in connecting with their food, their neighbours and the local producers of a variety of goods,” she said.
Georgina Community Farmers’ Market is a non-profit organization in its second year.
The decision was made to move the market from Sunday mornings to Friday afternoons from 3 to 8 p.m. in hopes of providing the community with the opportunity to purchase items for all of their weekend activities, Ms Richens said.
“It also provides cottage commuters a place to see what Georgina has to offer.”
The aim of the market is to create community partnerships and provide a forum for you to meet and get to know your fellow neighbours.
But the first few years are the toughest.
“We need more vendors to attract more customers, but we need more customers to attract new vendors,” she said. “We are asking our community to have faith and help us sustain the market during this transition to assure that we can choose fresh, local goods in a community minded setting for many years to come. If we don’t use it we will lose it.”
Other markets in York Region have been in business for more than a decade, including the Aurora Farmers’ Market open every Saturday morning.
Aside from the usual fresh farm fare, that market also offers free art classes for children, historical tours, assisted by its location in the town park.
Other special events are being planned for Georgina’s Community Market such as a pickling demonstration in late August.
Anyone with ideas or who knows of a new vendor, can contact them at 905-251-6080 or tricia7@sympatico.ca
“We are always open to suggestions. We want this market to be a success,” Ms Richens said. “All we need is our community.”