If you're in the market for locally grown food, there's good news.
The Mountjoy Farmers' Market is kicking off its season this Saturday, June 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. The market is located at 537 Pavilion Dr., which is on the shores of the Mattagami River just west of the bridge.
Not only is the market getting started two weeks earlier than usual, this is also the first year for the building.
Even on a rainy day, the structure means that there will be 3,000 square feet of dry space for vendors and shoppers, said Rock Whissell, Porcupine District Agricultural Society president.
"They don’t have to rush … it will be the difference between maybe 200 people on a rainy day to 500 instead. And we don’t have to make those decisions on those mornings of are we continuing with the farmers’ market or not because of the weather. Having this building, having 20 vendors in it, allows us to always have a roof over our head … it gives us opportunity to continue that farmers’ market for the 17 weekends rain or shine, hopefully not snow,” he said.
This weekend, there will be 40 vendors set up — 21 farmers and 19 arts and crafts vendors.
“We have room for 20 vendors within the pavilion and we’ll have 10 tents at either end of the building to support the rest of the 20 vendors that we have,” he said.
Whissell and the society board have been working on the project for years.
The talks started in 2019 when the long-running farmers' market moved from the Mountjoy Arena to the Mountjoy Historical Park. Just as it was gaining momentum, COVID-19 put everything on hold.
Last year, land was donated across the road and the new permanent home of the weekly market was established at 537 Pavilion Dr., where GameOn Ball Hockey used to be. Work on the structure started in April.
SEE: Work starts on pavilion for popular farmers' market
It's been a community effort to erect the building.
Interfor was the first to step up back in 2019 to donate the wood needed and Newmont Porcupine has donated $25,000. FedNor is also providing $79,500.
Other companies have also pitched in to paint the lines in the parking lot and remove posts.
Since work on the building started, another funder has stepped up, which means that the work to date is covered. The funding announcement will be made on Saturday before the market opens.
Businesses interested in buying a post still can as there are ways to improve the building. Having all of the initial cash in-hand, however, means that the board can enjoy the market season without any stress.
The cost is $5,000 for one business on a pillar, or $2,500 to share a pillar.
For more details on that, visit the Timmins Fall Fair Facebook page.
The building is also for more than just the farmers' market.
Whissell is meeting with Service Timmins soon to arrange how people can rent the building throughout the season for weddings or other events.
