Almost everything about the Springwater Farmers’ Market in Elmvale is new this year.
It’s being held at a new time on a new day with new folks working behind the scenes.
Starting June 13 and running through to Aug. 29, the market will be held every Thursday night — rain or shine — from 5-8 p.m. in the municipal parking lot at 33 Queen St. W., next to the Elmvale Community Hall.
“I’m excited to be involved,” said Kevin Beamish, owner of Beamish Honey in Horseshoe Valley and one of the dozen or so vendors who have signed up to sell their wares at the market. “I’m excited to meet the people who come out and support local farmers and small businesses.
“So for me, it’s as much of a social thing as it is business,” he added.
Eight months ago, Beamish and the other vendors weren’t sure there was going to be a farmers’ market in Elmvale this year.
During their meeting on Oct. 4, 2023, Springwater Township council decided to end its support of the market, and the part-time employee who managed it.
But Coun. Matt Garwood wasn’t prepared to let the farmers’ market go.
Garwood represents Elmvale and has been a supporter of the farmers’ market for years. He said the local farmers’ market is vital to the character of the community.
“Our community is not our community without the farmers’ market,” Garwood said at the time. “For our older residents especially, the market is a meeting spot. It’s their only social outing.”
Since that October meeting, Garwood has been working with the Elmvale Business Improvement Area (BIA), an association of businesses who work together to support growth and development in Elmvale.
“The farmers’ market serves as a gathering place for residents and visitors who are looking to support local businesses and the agricultural community,” Garwood said. “The BIA understood the importance of continuing the Springwater Farmers’ Market Elmvale and decided to take on operation of the market to ensure its continued success.”
Henri Linde, owner of Valley Farm Market & Catering in Elmvale, has been a Springwater Farmers’ Market vendor from the beginning, when the township ran the market.
He hasn’t missed a week, as far as he can remember.
“We go to this market to support our local community as they support us,” Linde said. “This market is beneficial to the town as it creates a great atmosphere and more traffic to hopefully support other stores in the Main Street.”
Linde, who offers freshly picked produce, baked goods and preserves at the market, says he doesn’t mind the additional exposure the market provides, either.
“It’s another outlet for all of our produce and it helps get the word out about our market,” he said.
According to Garwood, the Springwater Farmers’ Market Elmvale is more than just a place to purchase local goods.
“The market highlights local agriculture and is a place for residents of all ages to gather by promoting a healthy community while attracting visitors to Elmvale,” he said.
The date and time change, from Friday to Thursday evening, will allow people who were unavailable during the day to attend the weekly market this summer, Garwood added.
