Buying local in 2024

Seine River

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/02/2024 (894 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s been a great start to the new year, attending events, setting up our office, and seeing you folks out in the community.

Small businesses have been on my mind lately. I’m grateful to St. Norbert Farmers’ Market, which allows people in our community to purchase locally grown and locally made products. Small businesses are essential to Manitoba’s economy, and we must have an organization dedicated to Manitoba-based businesses.

St. Norbert Farmers’ Market began in 1988 with only eight vendors selling their harvest. Now, the market has over 60 vendors and is a staple for the broader Winnipeg community. I think its success reflects the surrounding francophone and Métis community’s connection to the land and farming.

Over the last 30 years, the market has grown to be a hub for our community, celebrating the work of local producers and artisans. Open every Saturday year-round, the market is the perfect place to support small businesses and buy locally.

It is run by a mixture of incredible volunteers, employees, vendors, and attendees. They offer multiple ways to get involved, including their recent youth market for young entrepreneurs aged 18 and under. As a small business owner myself, I know how essential mentorship opportunities are at a young age. St. Norbert Farmer’s Market is about lifting the whole community up and encouraging everyone to buy locally.

Market organizers also understand that buying local is out of reach for some in our community. To make local food and artisan products more accessible, they participate in the Manitoba Community Food Currency Program run by Direct Farm Manitoba. Community partner organizations offer the currency to people who would benefit from fresh and local food access. The currency can then be “cashed in” at markets in their community, such as the St. Norbert Farmers’ Market.

As your MLA, I want to support the incredible work our community is already involved in. I hope to be at the market regularly to catch up or discuss anything on your mind. I’ll be there next on Feb. 17 for anyone who’d like to say hello. Follow my social media (Instagram and Facebook) for updates on when I’ll be attending.

I’m excited to announce that our constituency office also opened last week! Our open house was a great opportunity to connect with community members, and I look forward to hosting more events in the future.

As always, I want to know your ideas, concerns, or passions for our community. If you can’t make it to the open house, you are welcome to drop by our office at 3450 Pembina Highway, call us at 431-323-6026, or email me at billie.cross@yourmanitoba.ca