What better way to stimulate the economy and encourage the growth of sustainable small businesses than with a farmers and artisans market?
Uncertain economic times await and the sale or trade of homemade goods crafted in the community — and available close to home — are a surefire way to help your friends and neighbours emerge from the pandemic with a fighting chance.
East Ferris is seeking help from the community to get its own market off the ground and operating in the near future. It is a project that has been on the books for a while — identified by this council as a priority of its East Ferris strategic plan — to explore the viability of running a farmers/artisans market.
The East Ferris Economic Development Committee is seeking input from local producers and vendors interested in taking part and is also gauging the level of interest from residents who would like to be part of its market steering committee.
How do you sign up?
The linked Facebook notice includes all of the pertinent contact information. It also lists a cut-off date of June 5, but East Ferris Manager of Planning and Economic Development Greg Kirton says — although the response has been good — the organization will continue to accept input and expressions of interest until mid-June.
"At first, it would be primarily East Ferris-focused, as far as vendors selling fruits, vegetables, other consumables, and crafts or other artisan-type goods," says Kirton.
Kirton clarifies the idea is not to compete with the North Bay market or any other market in the surrounding area, but rather to one day work in concert with well-attended markets to form a circuit of sorts — for vendors and customers alike.
Kirton says there are many moving parts to the market concept, and many questions to be answered.
"It's something that council would like to see. East Ferris is made up of a lot of small businesses, homemade businesses and family-run operations," says Kirton. "So, the thought is to provide a platform to showcase some of the lesser-known and smaller operations in the community."
"It's a tight-knit community and the market would provide another local event where people can get outside and see one another, socialize," says Kirton. "At the same time, it would bring in revenue for our local producers, it shows them off on a broader scale — for more visibility regionally — and it would bring people into the community to attend the market, bringing awareness to what East Ferris has to offer."
