Warm Welcome to the Winter Market

This past Saturday, January 9th, marked the Grand Opening of our new building! This facility is the culmination of the dreams and hard work of so many who started the market years ago. Our Farmers Market is beginning its 8th year and it has come a long way. Because of that vision and hard work, many producers, artisans, musicians and so much more will now be able to benefit with a year round place to showcase all the incredible products and talent this amazing community has to offer.

It takes a village and a community to raise a market….the New Glasgow Farmers Market has some valuable partners that got us to this point. The Town of New Glasgow, the Municipality of the County of Pictou and ACOA together with the Market all contributed to help fund and worked with us to make this vision turn into a reality.  Then there was Higgins Construction and all the workers associated with the project who worked very hard to make it all happen before the snow flew so that we could make a smooth transition and help the vendors make the most of the very important holiday season.  And of course our vendors and board who have donated and supported in an effort to get us to this point. We are the New Glasgow Farmers Market Cooperative…and this really has been a cooperative effort by everyone in every way. This Market is not about one person or one business, it is about everyone and it is for everyone.

What It Really Means

That’s great, but what’s the big deal? Good question, this facility brings with it so much potential.

It means the Market can now operate year round, offering a place for local producers & artisans to sell their wares all year round which means more income for those who rely, or would like to rely on their trade for a living.

It means our community has a place to always find amazing local products under one roof, all year round.  While of course in our climate, produce and vegetation can be a challenge in the winter, having a year round facility provides an opening for those who might have a love of gardening or small scale farming to fill a niche.

It means that we can now pursue the possibility of running a variety of programs that will benefit many. We will be able to start a kids corner so that kids have something to do while with their parents when they come to the Market. We haven’t had room for that before.

It means expanded space during our peak summer season. The extra space means we will be able to offer indoor and outdoor seating for our shoppers. It means we will be able to accept even more vendors to our market, effectively doubling our capacity. This means more variety of goods for customers and business opportunity for vendors. The additional space also means that we will be able to welcome more local, musical talent. We will now be able to have more than one busker every Saturday, providing exposure for local musicians and a great place to showcase local musical talent.

It means a positive impact on local commerce.  When you buy from a vendor at the Market, your dollars go directly to a family. That vendor then has to make more items meaning they must purchase supplies to replenish their inventory, often at local businesses creating a ripple effect. Not to mention it gives a vendor more money in their pocket to spend in the community…your dollars stay here.

It means a greater contribution to food security on both a personal and community level. We give a place for producers to sell their food directly to you. It lowers the carbon footprint and the time/distance from farm to table is negligible with much of the produce being picked the morning or day before market. By providing a marketplace for local producers, it means you have greater access to local food and a market for the farmer to sell at. We welcome farmers/gardeners of all sizes and any time of year.

It means that we are able to provide a hub for the community to gather on Saturday mornings. Beginning January 16th, you will be able to buy a snack and coffee and sit and enjoy local music. There will be a space for you to sit inside or out. Talk to the vendors, meet your friends and neighbours. If you have children, there is a music class beginning on the January 16th that they can participate in for a half an hour every Saturday morning.

The sky really is the limit…we are excited for the possibilities and hope that you stay tuned!

Below are some links about the Grand Opening…if you weren’t able to make it out, then be sure to drop by this Saturday and make it part of your weekend routine! We are open for the Winter Market on Saturdays from 10am until 1pm

We really are Local, Fresh and Flourishing!

http://www.ngnews.ca/News/Local/2016-01-09/article-4399090/Grand-opening-at-farmers-market/1

http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/mobile/video?clipId=784761

http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1331919-new-glasgow-farmers-market-a-big-draw-in-new-building

http://www.catcountry995.ca/news/story.aspx?ID=2190718

http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=781278

http://www.pictouadvocate.com/2016/01/06/chill-out-a-cool-event-for-cooler-weather/