Genuine local farmers will be at the Port Colborne Farmers’ Market selling farm-fresh foods every Friday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM from now until closing day Friday, October 29, 2021.

It’s a sure sign of spring when the Port Colborne Farmers’ Market is open for the season, delighting residents and visitors with just-picked produce, farm specialties like baked goods, maple syrup, honey, VQA wines, plus friendly, knowledgeable advice on how to prepare, store and enjoy their products.  Opening day is Friday, May 21^st with 30+ local vendors participating in the Market.

The farmers’ market experience is uniquely rewarding. It not only brings the city and the country together; it also brings friends and neighbours together. And although farmers’ market foods are terrific, food isn’t the only reason to love the market. It’s a fun place to be, a great place to meet your favourite vendors and to learn about farming and food. Since food is essential service markets operate much like your local grocery store but have the advantage of the freshest farm products.

The market day to day operations will be similar to what has been done in the past but with a Covid Twist or two thrown in the mix. So, everyone knows the drill.  You can expect to:

• Sanitize before entering the market area
• Physical distancing will be in place and vendors will have a limit of one customer to their stall at a time.
• Face covering is required.
• No touching produce or items.
• No sampling of produce is permitted.
• Controlled access to market site.
• Line ups at peak times 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM can be expected.
• Customer may use reusable shopping bags for their purchases, as long as they are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner, handled by the customer only.

As a part of the new branding of the market you will see new signs and the market slogan is “where farm, food and culture meet.”

Market hours are 8:00 AM to 12 Noon with a special early bird shopping time for seniors and those who need to rush off to work at 7:30 AM.

“Our Market Volunteer TEAM will be there to answer questions and welcome you to the market,” says, Mary-Lou Ambrose-Little, Market Manager.  Volunteers will be available to assist with directions to downtown shopping and assisting customer with finding vendors.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to the market this season and will showcase local businesses as a part of our Revitalization of Downtown” states BIA Chair, Jesse Boles.

What Our Farmers Market Will Look Like This Season (May 21, to October 29, 2021)

You can expect limits on customers so expect to line up.  Arrows and signage will be used to direct customers in one direction, and a clearly marked entrance and exits.

We are encouraging one or two family members come to market together.

Please ensure that you do not attend the market if you are feeling unwell; if you have any covid related symptoms please stay home and contact public health.

Physical Distancing will be in place and vendors will have a limit of one customer to their stall at a time.

Face covering is required.

No Touching produce or items (To avoid spreading the virus, only vendors can touch their own products; your choices will be bagged and handed to you.)

No sampling of produce is permitted.

Hand Sanitizing Stations to be used before entering, after each vendor transaction, after handling of cash and upon exiting. (to avoid spreading the virus we encourage our customers to use the hand sanitizing stations through the market

We ask that if the vendor is a cash only vendor, that you bring smaller bills and coins, to avoid handling of cash. Some of the vendors will be offering debit, tap and credit cards to help reduce the spread of contamination.  We encourage you to use these forms of payment with those vendors.

As much as we know you love a leisurely stroll at the market, it’s not a good practice right now, so we are encouraging quick trips. Avoiding clusters of shoppers will be a big priority this year at the for us.  We ask that our customers purchase and move on. Any socializing can be done outside the market building.

Even outside you are required to social distance and wear face coverings.

Some vendors will continue to offer pre-order options so you can get in and out as fast as possible.  Be sure to ask your favorite vendors if they will offer this option.

We look forward to seeing you back on May 21, 2021.

The Port Colborne Market and all our wonderful vendors of the Port Colborne Farmers’ Market

https://www.facebook.com/portcolbornefarmersmarket

Contact: 289.836.9006

Email: portcolbornefarmersmarket@gmail.com