Farmers' Market's fifth season the most successful to date

Greg Stewart, left, of Stewart's Fresh Produce in Elsinore, is a regular vendor at the Port Elgin Farmers' Market in Coulter Parkette.

Hub Staff

The latest season of the Port Elgin Farmers’ Market at Coulter Parkette came to a close September 7 after its fifth and most successful season to date.

The Market, which ran each Wednesday from the first week in June, saw more vendors, more traffic and higher sales, said Port Elgin Business Improvement Area (BIA) Coordinator, Laura McInnes. “It was great this year, nice and full,” she said. “The most successful market year.”

McInnes said that the Port Elgin BIA is looking to make some improvements to Coulter Parkette for next season with money they raised from their inaugural Farm to Table dinner, held in August.

See: Coulter Parkette transformed for premier dining event

McInnes said they're sitting at $4,000 now but once everything is factored in, expects the funds raised at Farm to Table to be higher. “We're probably looking more at the $5,000 mark,” she estimated.

McInnes said that they will definitely be getting a new sign to promote the market that will go up in the spring, “a nice big wood sign that will replace [the current] one.” She added that they are also hoping to purchase some extra garbage cans. “We need recycling as well and maybe some more chairs,” said McInnes.

A regular vendor at the market, local business owner Cathy Fenton of Cathy’s Flowers N’ Treasures said she was pleased with the season. “It's been really good. Busy, busy,” she said. “The weather cooperated too, I don't think we had one rainy day.”

It was the first season at the Port Elgin Market for Kat Healy of Civil Kat Healy Coffee in Rockford, formerly Kemble Mountain Roastery. “It's been great. This is one of my better markets,” said Healy who added that she would definitely be back next year.

Port Elgin Farmers' Market vendors, left to right, Lori Bumstead, Cathy Fenton and Kat Healy, enjoying a pot luck meal in celebration of the last market day of the season.

The Farmers' Market sign at Coulter Parkette will be replaced next season with a new wooden sign with money raised from the Port Elgin BIA's inaugural Farm to Table event this summer.