Mabou Farmers' Market is always busy
-by Bill Dunphy
Food security is increasingly becoming an issue during the COVID-19 pandemic and the board members of the Mabou Farmers’ Market (MFM) hope to re-open in some fashion this summer.
The MFM announced this week that it is continuing to accept applications up until tomorrow’s (Thursday) deadline.
“Who knows what will happen this year,” said MFM president Andy Pedley on Monday. “We do suspect that once the state of emergency is over, there will still be restrictions on large gatherings.”
In a notice to its vendors on Monday, the MFM stated: “We will not be pursuing creating our own online sales platform. We will be preparing for the market to re-open mid-season and expecting this could be with relatively short notice. We will be abiding by social distancing protocols, and any re-opening of the market will more than likely require adjustments; an outdoor market and/or a market with fewer vendors are among the possibilities. We realize that this short notice, scaled-down version of the market will not interest all of you. We are looking to create a list of vendors who would be able and willing to participate in this version of the Mabou Farmers’ Market.”
The notice added that full-time vendors would not lose their member status should they choose not to participate in the 2020 market season.
Pedley said the board receives more than 100 applications each year for the 68 vendor spaces at the Mabou Athletic Centre. Of the 68 spaces, approximately 60 are full time and approximately 12 are part time, give or take four or five vendors either way.
“We did a lot of data gathering last year, just to see what our economic impact was,” said Pedley.
The numbers are stunning.
Total sales for last season reached $367,000, and doesn’t include the spinoffs from people buying gas at the garage, having a meal or a drink, or going to the beach.
In a random survey, nearly half of the visitors were identified as locals (Inverness and Victoria counties) and the other half comprised of people from the Antigonish and Sydney areas, and tourists.
The market averages 1,200 visitors every Sunday. It had a peak attendance of 1,700 in August and a low of 670 in June. Total attendance last season reached 20,500.
“When you take into account our budget is $35,000, we do quite a lot with a very small amount of money. A lot of that goes down to volunteer hours,” he said.
Community member of the board, Laurel Browne, said the market has come a long way from 2007 when half-a-dozen vendors huddled under a tarp donated by the fire department at the marina.
“Where we are now is pretty remarkable, and huge growth brings a huge challenge,” she said. “The biggest impact will be felt by those who sell vegetables, pork, beef; who must sell their product every week.”
Browne said the artisans and crafters will also be impacted by a scaled-down market, though not on the same scale as the farmers.
“Most of the artisans and crafters have an online presence and a website. And they are all still working, all year-round,” she said.
“Perhaps the biggest thing that will be missed is the social aspect of the market. What a great atmosphere it creates.”
Pedley said the board approved a $100 increase in what they pay musicians this year.
“The music is a big draw for people and we wanted to guarantee the presence of some of the more popular musicians by addressing how poorly musicians are compensated for their work.”
Due to the restrictions in place during the COVID-19 state of emergency, the board has yet to hold its annual general meeting, which can be held within 90 days of the end of those restrictions.
For now, though, it’s wait and see for the Mabou Farmers’ Market and most other Inverness County businesses.
In the interim, the MFM will continue to promote its vendors.
“We would like to support and promote our vendors as much as we’re able to. Would you like to sell independently to customers? Please let us know! We will be posting a list of vendors who are continuing to sell their products in alternative ways on our website. We can also help promote you via our social media.”
For more information on the market and links to government services, go to their website at www.maboufarmersmarket.ca.
