Left to right, Grey Bruce Agricultural and Culinary Association Co-Chair Jenny Amy awards Cathy Fenton and Laura McInnes the Port Elgin Farmer's Market Certificate of Excellence.

Hub Staff

The Port Elgin Farmers' Market has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence by the Grey Bruce Agricultural and Culinary Association (GBACA) for their work in promoting local food.

The popular market, in conjunction with the Port Elgin BIA is now in its sixth season and is located at Coulter Parkette in downtown Port Elgin. The market, which grows every year, will run every Wednesday this summer, from June 7 to September 6.

See: Port Elgin Farmers Market gearing up for another season

Last year the market held its inaugural and unique Farm to Table dining event, where approximately 140 people came together August 12 to dine on the streets in downtown Port Elgin, enjoying a meal highlighting local ingredients and prepared by Executive Chef Randy Felker.

See: Coulter Parkette transformed for premier dining event

GBACA Co-Chair, Jenny Amy said that the association usually gives out two awards each year, one in Bruce and one in Grey. “They've expanded that market and they're doing an awful lot of work in conjunction with the BIA and the trolley, which is bringing more people up into the downtown and exposing them to the Farmers’ Market and also because of the [Farm to Table] dinner they did, which we thought was a great showcase,” she said.

GBACA Co-Chair Anita DeJong explained that the association has three mandates: networking, education and promotion and said that it’s those three things they’re looking for from each county. “We're really wanting to highlight people who have made an extra effort to have local food in the forefront for the public,” she said.

“The main thing behind the market was their big dinner they did in the street. That was kind of the thing we thought was really special,” said DeJong, adding, “They've done a lot to get local vendors and really grow their market.”

Laura McIness and Cathy Fenton, both part of the Port Elgin Farmers' Market and Port Elgin BIA, accepted the award on behalf of the market at the association's AGM April 24.

McInnes said they were very excited to win the award. “It recognizes the hard work we have put into growing the market and making it a destination,” she said. “We feel that with the success of the Farm to Table dinner we are raising a lot of awareness about what our great area has to offer.”

She said that this year's market will be bigger than ever. “We already have nine new vendors with most of the vendors from last year returning.” She added that plans for this year’s Farm to Table dinner are already underway and that they will be releasing 50 discounted early bird tickets at the Farmers' Market. “This year's Farm to Table dinner will be the premiere dinner event of this summer...we are very excited for it.”

The AGM was held in Owen Sound at Casero Kitchen Table, the recipient of the Grey County award. Casero means homemade and the Owen Sound restaurant took over the former Vern’s Donuts Villa in 2015 with a second location, Casero Taco Bus, in Sauble Beach.

Beth Milne (centre) and Emily Leonard of Casero Kitchen Table in Owen Sound received their Certificate of Excellence from Grey Bruce Agricultural and Culinary Association Co-Chair Jenny Amy April 24 at their Owen Sound location.

The Grey Bruce Agricultural and Culinary Association's Certificate of Excellence, awarded to the Port Elgin Farmer's Market for the work they have done in promoting local food.