When the pandemic hit mid-March, Arthur resident Nicole McReynolds immediately understood what it would mean for residents and farmers who support local food.
“I saw someone sell eggs (on Facebook) so I just thought it wouldn't be great if there was a page farmers could sell whatever they have and people could see what farmers have,” said McReynolds.
Hoping to provide a few hundred people access to local food, McReynolds created Backyard Bounties of Southern Ontario, a Facebook page for small farm markets and homesteads to connect with members locally.
“I was expecting maybe 100 people and now over there's 4,700,” said McReynolds.
“It was something the people really wanted. Both the farmers and the customers and the feedback I was getting was just amazing.”
Not long after the group was created, local farmers’ sales began going up as people had access to local produce. The success of the group led to a farmers market on the streets of Arthur on Aug. 15 where the Township of Wellington North approved the closing of major downtown streets to vehicles on alternating Saturdays in August to promote local shopping.
“The people just loved this, they wanted more and more and more and it just happened by fluke,” said McReynolds.
The market saw over 1,000 customers from Arthur and surrounding cities shop from 14 vendors that sold artisanry, fruits, vegetables, meat and bakery products.
“It’s eating Canadian food, it's eating local food, it’s supporting your neighbours, it’s better all around. Yes, it may be more expensive, but you’re getting a better product,” said McReynolds about the free event.
Her next farmers market event will be held on Aug. 29 downtown Arthur.
McReynolds said the experience of shopping in a farmers market is different than one in a grocery store because the love farmers have for their products is evident in what they sell.
“They’re so down to earth,” said McReynolds.
Growing up on a farm, McReynolds said she understands the various struggles farmers face.
“When I was younger, I remember always having summer vacations on the farm and you know helping out in my grandfather’s garden. It was the type of place I always wanted to be and always felt the happiest,” said McReynolds.
The success of the Facebook group inspired her to also start a YouTube channel called Backyard Bounties Homestead where she posts garden tours in her own backyard to inspire people to eat local food.
“I just wish that everybody could eat food like this. It’s so healthy and so much better for you and it's helping the farmers and it's just I like a simple life so I can relate to them even though I don’t have a farm,” said McReynolds.
