Tillsonburg Farmers Market thrives on fresh, local

Lloyd Collver from Rattlesnake Produce sells vegetables to Virginia Mabee at the Tillsonburg Farmers Market. Collver has 40 years of experience selling produce at local markets. (Chris Abbott Photo)

Chris Abbott, Post Correspondent

Fresh and local continue to be calling cards for the Tillsonburg Farmers Market.

“This is a true farmers market, that’s what sets us apart from a lot of farmers markets,” said Tim Norris from Orange Door Acres Farm, chair of the not-for-profit Tillsonburg Farmers Market board.

“We don’t have vendors that run to the food terminal, buy the vegetables, and pretend to be the farmers,” said Norris. “Here, you’re talking to people, you’re talking to the farmer. Vendors are all local vendors.”

The Tillsonburg Farmers Market runs weekly, Saturday mornings -8-12 from Mother’s Day weekend in May until the last Saturday in October on Bridge Street West.

“Another thing that I find very different – and I’ve been to a lot of farmers markets – is our customers. Our customers are some of the most loyal customers you’re going to get anywhere. Nine times out of 10, even when it’s pouring rain… they’re still coming, they’re still supporting the market.”

Products change throughout the market season.

“Sweet corn’s here now because sweet corn’s ‘on,’” said Norris on August 23, noting the sweet corn season is typically mid-July to end of August. “The apple vendor isn’t here yet, but they’ll probably start next week because apples will be ‘on.’ When asparagus was on, we had an asparagus vendor.

“We have a nice variety of products available – baked goods to vegetables (a lot of vegetables) to meats, including the Orange Door Acres Farm chicken, cheese, gluten-free and sourdough crust pizzas, and right next to me, grass-fed beef from Sweets Creek Acres – they have been a real nice addition to the market.

“It’s all about staying local with everything. And all the vendors get along, everybody’s friendly. Everybody basically works together.”

Craft vendors have access to the market once a month as a ‘pop-up.’ Non-profit groups and charity organizations occasionally use the farmers market, as well.

“We review every single application,” said Norris.

The Farmers Market supports the Station Arts Centre with a donation every year, he said, and in return the Station supports the farmers market.

“It’s a really nice partnership. They promote us, we promote them.”

Changes may be coming to the market when the BMI Group development happens on the north side of Bridge Street West. A permanent year-round farmers market is planned.

“(Development) has been approved by the Town, approved by the County. I know tenders have gone out for certain parts of the (BMI) project.”

Norris said he has been assured they will be able to function as a market at the same location (without access to the grassy area across from the Station Arts Centre for vendor parking), even through construction.

“We might have to do some different things, but we will still be able to do it.”

chris@granthaven.com