St. Norbert Farmers’ Market kicks off summer

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This article was published 01/06/2022 (1537 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

KELSEY JAMES

STAFF REPORTER

ST. NORBERT

The St. Norbert Farmers’ Market’s expanded outdoor site has returned for its 34th summer season.

On May 21, the market welcomed visitors eager to shop the local producers and goods market-goers have grown to love over the past three decades.

Turnout was great, said St. Norbert Farmers’ Market executive director Marilyn Firth. The annual, seasonal move to an outdoor market means a substantial increase in the number of vendors that can be on site. Winter markets generally host about 50 or 60 vendors, while the summer market is able to bring in double that, or about 125 to 130.

“It was wonderful to see so many people come out and support our local producers,” Firth, 62, said of opening day.

While the vendor turnout for that first outdoor Saturday was also fairly good, the weather has unfortunately held some people back. Because of this year’s cold, wet spring, Firth expects fresh fruits and vegetables will show up at the market a little later than usual this year.

The amount of precipitation Manitoba has experienced this year also made setting up the market difficult. Since the site was muddy, Firth and her team had to close off the north side of the market and move its vendors to the south side. Now that sunnier and warmer weather is finally here, landscapers will clean up the market’s grounds.

This year, the market will bring back some of the special events previously cancelled, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re hoping to do a sheep-shearing session. We used to do that every spring, but haven’t been able to do that for a couple of years,” Firth said. “It’s a great chance for people to see an activity they might otherwise not.”

The Farmer’s Festival: Home Skills for the 21st Century will also return in August, featuring demonstrations and workshops on different skills, including fermenting, pickling, using herbs, spinning and weaving and knife sharpening.

Every Saturday, the market will also host live music from local musicians, and in September the annual fall dinner will return after a two-year hiatus. There will also be activities for children, and July and August will have a beer garden on site every Wednesday.

“Everyone everywhere is happy to see life start to return to a bit more normal, so our visitors, vendors and musicians are excited,” Firth said.

On April 6, Firth announced this would be her last season as executive director after 14 years of overseeing the weekly operations of the south Winnipeg market.

At the time of her announcement, the market had already begun advertising for a new executive director. Firth committed to stay on until they hired someone and that person was brought up to speed on the role.

Now, nearly two months later, Firth said they are in the final phases of hiring and will be making an announcement shortly.

The St. Norbert Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. starting June 15.

For more information and to shop the market online, visit www.stnorbertfarmersmarket.ca