06-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Elmvale Farmers' Market prioritizing ‘made in Simcoe County'
If you're among the ever-growing number of folks who have opted to 'buy Canadian' in the face of the shifting global economy, you may want to consider adding a farmers' market to your regular shopping mix.
The Elmvale Farmers' Market, set to start its 15th season on June 12, brings the concept of 'made in Canada' closer than most would imagine — virtually everything that's offered at the market is made in Simcoe County, including flowers, honey, fresh produce and a wide variety of handmade crafts.
'Most people have no idea of how many flowers and plants are imported to this country,' said Katie Goulbourne, owner of Bunker Hill Flower Farm, based in Tiny Township. 'I think it's fantastic that everything in the Elmvale Farmers' Market is local and I think it's making an impact on how people buy.'
According to Goulbourne, who's committed to being a part of the market again this season, the 'buy Canadian' movement in the flower sector is almost as strong as it is in the food sector.
She said she's noticed more and more brides looking for local flowers for their weddings and they've adopted the same attitude as those who got behind the '100-mile diet,' a philosophy that championed consuming products that were grown within a 100-mile radius ... or 160 kilometres.
'It's called the Slow Flower Movement and it shares the same belief as the slow food or 100-mile diet,' Goulbourne said. 'People are looking for products that are local, sustainable and seasonal.'
Beamish Honey producer Kevin Beamish agreed and offered another reason why locally produced foods are gaining traction with consumers — they can get face-to-face with the person who made it.
'When you buy something that's imported, you don't really know where it came from or how it was made or, for that matter, who made it,' he said. 'When you buy local and deal with a local producer, you get to know them, know their product — how it's grown and cared for — and can deal with them one-on-one.
'I know it's important to me and I've seen an increase in its importance to others,' Beamish added.
Henri Linde, of Valley Farm Market just outside of Elmvale, has been a vendor at the market since Day 1 and he's committed to being a part of it this season. He said the market has changed over the years, but the one constant is the personal relationships the market facilitates.
'The market gives us the opportunity to directly sell some of our produce and baking to the local community,' he said, adding he's growing crops specifically for the Elmvale market because folks have been asking for them.
'It's a great addition to our own farm market and a great way to promote our business to folks who can't come out to our farm,' Linde said.
In an effort to increase the breadth of its offering and add value to the market and increase its appeal, market organizers are always looking to add new vendors.
A booth at the market costs $300 for the season — June 12 to Sept. 18 — or $25 for a week and the vendor must live in Simcoe County. All fruits and vegetables must be produced, grown, and processed within Simcoe County or within a 100-kilometre radius of Elmvale and Springwater Township producers will be given priority.
All food vendors (packaged, made on-site, produce, etc.) must follow the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit regulations and all arts and crafts items must be 100 per cent original and hand-produced.
Last year, organizers moved the Farmers' Market to Thursday nights. This year, the hours are being tweaked, a move organizers hope will increase traffic.
'This year, we're moving to a brand-new time — Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m.,' Crystal Graveson, president of the Elmvale Business Improvement Area, which organizes the Elmvale Farmers' Market, said in a news release announcing the launch of the farmers' market.
'We believe this change will provide more families and visitors with the chance to enjoy and experience all that our community has to offer.'
According to Springwater Coun. Matt Garwood, who sits as the township representative on the Elmvale BIA, the market has become the village's social hub.
'Through countless conversations with local business owners, it's clear that the farmers' market plays a key role in attracting visitors to our downtown core and driving economic growth within Elmvale,' Garwood said in a news release. 'It serves as a lively gathering space for artisans, musicians and community groups.'
