ROCKWOOD – The Rockwood Farmers’ Market welcomed opening night with some familiar faces mixed in with new vendors and new features.
The market, which kicked-off on June 8, will run every Wednesday from 4 to 7pm until Oct. 5 at Rockmosa Park.
Market organizer Jen MacLeod said it was a strong opening day and it was exciting to see so many people.
“I think, generally, the community is really excited to come out,” MacLeod said.
“And it is always really thrilling to see everybody and gather with people and say hello to people at the beginning of the season.”
She added, “I was so happy to see people are going back and talking to favourite vendors that they shopped from over past seasons.
“And it’s just nice to see those relationships are building.”
Although she didn’t keep track of attendance as in previous years, MacLeod estimated roughly 500 to 600 people came out to the market on opening day.
This years market will see between 25 to 30 vendors a week. Erik Begg of Sorry Sauce is among the half-time vendors at the market this year. When he’s not at the Rockwood market you can find him and his hot sauce at the Mapleton Farmers’ Market.
The biggest change this year, MacLeod noted, is that the market will have a rotation of food trucks on site each week. Her hope is that they’ll also be able to have live music at every market
“As we grow we’re able to get slightly more local,” she explained. “We have a bigger pool of applicants and more people know about the market.
“So this year, we are more local than ever and we’re very proud of that.”
With the word out that the market is becoming more established, vendors are applying earlier, and MacLeod said the spots have been filling up quickly.
“Which is nice as an organizer,” she said. “It kind of takes the stress out of worrying about are we going to have enough people.
“And we have absolutely everything that we could imagine having at the market this year.”
From left are Cait, Mandi and Andy of Mandi’s Breads, Bagels and Beyond. The Acton-based business will be at the market every Wednesday.
MacLeod said this year the market will have between 25 and 30 vendors throughout the season, up from 20 to 25 last year.
“We are a true farmers market and so we always have to keep the ratio of more farmers than non-farmers,” she explained.
“And so it fluctuates a tiny bit depending on what produce is in season.”
MacLeod said it’s a tricky process determining the growth of the market, referring to it as the “chicken and egg.
“You have to make sure that you have enough customers to support the number of vendors that you have,” she explained.
“You can’t grow too quickly or there wouldn’t be enough profit for any of the vendors.
“So it’s a little bit of a balance between having enough vendors that it’s interesting to people to come and shop there, versus having the right number that all the vendors can find it profitable.”
Brothers Brewing Co. was the first of the five rotating breweries to kick-off opening night. From left: Josh Lodewyks and Tya Milne.
MacLeod said it’s been a challenge the last few years, especially considering the farmers-to-non-farmers ratio.
“But we’re in a really happy position,” she added.
“We have people – the farmers, the vendors – that have come have really enjoyed the experience of the Rockwood Farmers’ Market.”
While many of the vendors are returning faces, some vendors new to the market that MacLeod highlighted include GoodLot Farm and Farmstead Brewing Co, Majestic Water Buffalo and a full-time honey vendor split between Cedar Valley Honey and Buzz Barn Honey.
MacLeod said she feels the market has grown to a point where it’s more predictable from an organizer perspective and there’s a nice variety among the vendors so there’s not too much overlap.
“It’s really gratifying,” she said. “I love being able to support local farmers and a whole range of local businesses.
She added, “I think, at its core, it’s really about community building and giving people a place to gather, and a place to be outdoors and connect with each other.”
