The Minto Farmers Market will be on the move this year – to Harriston and Palmerston.
The market started in Clifford in 2009. Part of the decision to move came from the vendors.
The proposal at council on March 9 included a major restructuring of the market – including the disbanding of the current market association and the creation of two subcommittees to establish markets in Harriston and Palmerston.
The market concept was brought to life via the town’s arts, culture and tourism committee, and once, established, handed over to the Minto Farmers’ Market Association.
A report to council noted that many of the original board of directors had stepped down and were not interested in sitting on the board in 2011, including the president, vice president, treasurer, and several directors. That report also noted that the market in Clifford operated for two summers with a successful first summer and the second year seeing a decline in vendors and patrons.
“Vendors would like to look at a location based out of Harriston.”
In addition, several members of Palmerston’s downtown revitalization committee were interested in a farmers’ market in Palmerston.
The report by Business and Economic Development Manager Belinda Wick-Graham noted the markets would be branded as “Minto Farmers’ Markets” which would allow the use of existing promotional materials instead of duplicating efforts and resources.
The municipality has $1,500 budgeted for the markets. The funds would be divided equally between the two markets and each would be responsible for earning extra funds for their operations.
Wick-Graham said the proposal would provide more partnership opportunities.
In terms of staff, she said the municipality has always supported the market.
Wick-Graham sits on the committee as secretary, while Mandy Hansen has provided promotional and marketing support. That would continue, she said.
Councillor Mary Lou Colwell asked how people feel about the proposed move from Clifford to Harriston.
Wick-Graham said, “The thing is that the vendors do not want to stay in Clifford. They did not see a very good return. “
She added that “halfway through the season, we had vendors come to us asking about moving the location.”
She said some things were changed at the market last year to generate more exposure.
“It was a cute little atmosphere, but things just didn’t turn out.”
Colwell asked if the market did anything for Clifford.
Wick-Graham again said the first year was great.
A business survey indicated all but one of the businesses thought the market was beneficial to the downtown.
“But the second year … Obviously, I was a big supporter of having it Clifford. It would be great to see it remain – but without vendors, you can’t have a market.”
Mayor George Bridge said he, too, was at the market’s annual general meeting. “It came out in spades that if you don’t have vendors, you don’t have a market.”
Deputy-mayor Terry Fisk said, “The local community did not support the market obviously. Whose fault is that?”
Wick-Graham added the intent is for the Palmerston market to be on Saturday mornings while the Harriston market would remain on Friday nights, so vendors would be able to participate in both.
She said the Palmerston market would partner with the railway museum and the downtown group, and she hopes it will get “more people through the museum and into the park.”
A plus is the museum has a full kitchen that could be utilized for events such as pancake breakfasts.
That market is set open on June 11, in conjunction with the Splash Pad Bash.
Wick-Graham said she not at liberty to reveal the possible Harriston location yet.
Bridge said it is good to see some of the groups begin to coordinate their efforts.
“We need to continue that if these groups are going to survive.”
