The Markham Farmer's Market opened for the season Saturday, May 12. Local residents- adult, child, and canine alike- eagerly welcomed the return of the vendors for the summer months to come, and the market was bustling. The murmur of the crowd drifted beneath the live music, and the air was filled with the mingling scents of flowers and the food available at the Market Grill, whose employees happily catered to a steady stream of hungry shoppers.
Produce available at the Market includes fresh fruit and vegetables, honey, preserves, cheese, and Black Angus beef, in addition to more unusual products such as wild leeks and liquid garlic. Handicrafts such as knitted garments for babies and potted plants are also available in abundance.
At the Markham Village BIA, shoppers can sign up for local contests, or purchase a full-scale model Canada goose, the likes of which may be seen all over Main Street. In keeping with World Fair Trade Day celebrations, the Market also featured organic and fair trade products at the booths of vendors such as McGuire Naturals and Bridget Gallagher's Fair Trade Co. Here, shoppers can find unique products such as all-natural dog soap and jewellery made in Kenya.
Children were occupied at the Farmer's Market craft table potting plants for Mother's Day while the Olde Markham Coffee Shoppe hosted a crowd of seniors seated outside the store sipping coffee, chatting and enjoying the sunshine. A booth hosted by Jungle Interiors featured a sign advising shoppers to “Capture the Feeling”- and that is exactly what they did. The Markham Farmer's Market opened successfully and promises to be local hotspot for community spirit.
The Markham Farmer's Market will run every Saturday from 8am to 1pm until October, on Robinson Street between Historic Main and Water streets.