It was a slow start for the Aberfoyle Farmers Market, but volunteers and vendors are left on a positive note about next season following a large turnout for the final event.
On Saturday shoppers came to the market to participate in its last Saturday market of the 2021 season. Despite the rain, the market had roughly 1,500 people overall stroll through on its last day.
“We've already had a couple of backlogs this morning,” said market manager Kate Belbeck about the crowds.
The crowd is a good sign for the 11-year-old market. Last year, the market did not operate in 2020 due to the pandemic. When the market did open this year, Belbeck said restrictions limited which vendors
“We're a small market run by a small team of volunteers, so it just wasn't feasible at that time to open," explained Belbeck, “We have seen a decrease in traffic since 2019, and that's to be expected, a lot of people are still not ready to go back to normal life. It’s a little bit of a rebuild for us here on out, but we’re still really positive about it."
When it comes to the appeal of the Aberfoyle Farmers Market, Belbeck said it is as much of the social as it is the shopping.
“It really is a community staple this market," she said, "and I think what we missed out the most at the beginning of the season was the community atmosphere."
As part of the market’s tradition, Belbeck mentions they were able to invite 50 vendors and food trucks, including additional craft vendors, on the last day of the season.
“We have a good group of vendors who are committed to making it work."
Marjorie Bellai, owner of one of the market’s long term vendors, Kind Yogi, said it’s nice to reconnect with people. Bellai explains she started going to the market as a customer before she became a vendor.
“These people have become like my family,” said Bellai about the other vendors and volunteers, “The people who run this market are great.”
When asked what the 2021 season was like, Bellai said it was off to a bit of a slow start.
“It's picking up," she said. "A few of the farmers we had, we have lost, because during COVID they shifted to opening markets at home."
Also participating in farmers markets in Elora, Rockwood and Stratford, Bellai said the Aberfoyle Farmers Market is the safest one she has been to.
“I really like the vibe of this market,” she adds, “I love that it has the cover and the open air.”
Another vendor, Clay Heart Designs, is owned by Kesha Wagner. Wagner said this is her second time being at the market. Comparing this week to her previous week attending the market, she said it's been better.
"The last time it was more food stuff, this time it's more crafts, and there's more people out even though it is raining," said Wagner.
She adds she has also enjoyed getting to know the other businesses at the market, as everything is made by hand.
“It's very personal, you know someone took their time and energy to make something,” said Wagner, who makes and sells polymer clay earrings.
Starting off by selling her products online four months ago, Wagner mentions she prefers being a vendor within a farmers market like the Aberfoyle one.
“It’s a good opportunity for people to actually get to know your business,” she said. “I wish it was open all year round.”
Anyone who is interested in applying to be a vendor for the 2022 Aberfoyle Farmers Market season, can go to afma.ca.
