St. Norbert Farmers’ Market seeks new director

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This article was published 20/04/2022 (1577 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

KELSEY JAMES

STAFF REPORTER

ST. NORBERT

A familiar face at the St. Norbert Farmers’ Market is stepping down from her post as executive director.

Marilyn Firth, 62, announced she is leaving her position in a Facebook post on April 6. Firth has overseen the weekly operations of the south Winnipeg market for the past 14 years.

“I’ve always been a strong proponent of local food and local production, and I’ve always been a farmers’ market-goer, so it was a really comfortable fit,” Firth said.

The farmers’ market has changed a lot in the past 14 years, Firth said. When she entered the role, it was about half the size in terms of number of vendors than it is now. Firth also helped introduce permanent washrooms on the site and an enclosed canopy structure. There’s also been water retention work and it has become a year-round market with both in-person and online shopping. “There’s been so many changes, and all of them have been so exciting,” Firth said. “Every time we’ve improved the market we’ve improved the opportunity for local producers in Manitoba. We’re Manitoba’s largest farmers’ market and we’re a non-profit co-operative, so our goal is to create a great place for local producers to sell their stuff.”

Firth and her husband also have a farm, so she felt it was time to leave her position at the farmers’ market to focus on projects closer to home.

“I love the market, and it’s been a hard decision to leave,” she said. “I’ve really enjoyed my job there, so it is difficult to pass that on to someone and let go of something that’s been my baby for a very long time. But I’m also excited to see the new ideas. There will be some exciting new changes, I’m sure, as the new person takes on the role.”

At press time, the St. Norbert Farmers’ Market had started advertising for a new executive director. Firth said she’ll stay on until they’ve hired someone and she’s brought them up to speed on the role.

Looking back on her career with the market, Firth said she’s most proud of her efforts to develop the site and offer more opportunities to local producers.

“The big canopy meant that we could be year-round, and that provided so much more opportunity,” she said. “Because I’m so committed to local production, the best thing we can do is to make more opportunities for local producers and for people to be able to come, meet those folks and purchase local products.”

It’s also about awareness, Firth added. She wants people to know about the variety of locally made goods they can buy at a farmers’ market.

“Until they go, they don’t realize how many different things are made,” she said. “What you’re seeing is the product of Manitoba producers. There’s so much variety and knowledge in that community that’s so exciting, and once you get to know it, it’s hard not to keep coming.”

Although Firth is stepping down as executive director, her and her husband will continue to host their vegetable booth at the market each week.

“It’s kind of a nice transition for me, because even though I’ll be leaving the market, I’ll still be a member of the market community,” she said. “I think if I were leaving the job and that community it would be really hard. When you’re involved with the market, it really does feel like a community. You see everyone every single week, you know people and you develop relationships with them.”

More information on the St. Norbert Farmers’ Market can be found at www.stnorbertfarmersmarket.ca