Support Local, Strengthen Canada: Why Your local Farmer’s Market is the Best Choice
It’s absolutely crazy all the games that are being played right now in politics between The US and Canada!
After decades of good relations, it’s all up in the air and now we are faced with high and constantly changing tariffs on imported products from The States.
So, what is it we are going to do? I’m not going to pay an additional 25% on top of the 13% tax just because they only manufacture it across the border.
I’m going to figure out another solution!
I’m going to look locally, to see the smaller business that don’t have a million-dollar advertising budget every year.
Those small Canadian businesses that are the backbone of our economy, currently making up as much as 90% of all businesses in Canada.
Those farmers who have been raising quality meat, growing amazing quality vegetables, and giving it their all as long as they can remember...even when they constantly see other small farms shut down.
Those are the people that I want to support.
And I urge all of you to consider supporting them too.
There are a lot of great farmer’s markets running in the summertime every year, and here is a list of the local ones in Grey and Bruce Counties:
- Hanover Eat Well Market – Saturdays
- Port Elgin Farmer’s Market – Wednesdays
- Southampton Farmer’s Market – Fridays
- Owen Sound Farmer’s Market – Saturdays
- Keady Market – Tuesdays
Supporting the entrepreneurs at these markets can make a big difference to their bottom line and help support the Canadian economy in a way that is often overlooked by larger government structures.
In my personal experience, small businesses don’t get a lot of help. Sure they can get some training and occasionally a small grant, which is great, but after that, it takes them 2-3 years of leg work to be able to even qualify for a larger loan.
But the average person doesn’t think about that...right.
And something else to consider as well...The prices aren’t that much different that the regular stores anymore.
Sure, in a previous time there was more of a gap, but now with costs rising across the board, the small producers at your local farmer’s markets are doing their best to keep their prices low while still maintaining their businesses.
That’s commitment that I can be proud of. :)
So, this year, I’m going to shop at the Hanover Farmer’s Market (just a short walk from my house to the park downtown – beside Rexall).
We Canadians need to stand together, and we can help our local communities prosper!
Here are some things to consider:
1. The Ripple Effect of Buying Local
Every dollar you spend at a farmer’s market has a far greater impact than a dollar spent at a big-box store. There have been studies done that show money that is spent locally actually circulates within the community for a longer period of time.
What it means by that is that that $20 dollar bill you spent at the Hanover Farmer’s Market actually has the potential to support multiple local businesses in our small community. Bakeries, mechanics, coffee shops, local feed stores...all supported by that one $20 purchase.
They call this the “local multiplier effect”, and it’s very powerful.
2. Reducing Dependency on Global Supply Chains
Since 2020, I think the entire world got a shock when thinking of their food and goods supply chains, but especially here in Canada.
We realized that we import a lot of our food (and export what we grow). This is a trend that we would like to see reverse and supporting the local farmer’s market is the best way to show that you want a local, sustainable food system.
The big guys will always be focused on big numbers, and there are bigger numbers in the US…
So, when the small guys break through their glass ceiling to make a difference and bring their products to you, take a chance on them.
As we mentioned, 90% of Canadian businesses are classed as small businesses.
And they need our support now more than ever. With the rising costs and fears of tariffs hurting sales, making the local sales count will matter more than ever.
3. Empowering Canadian Farmers
In the short term, if buyers don’t buy our products because of extra costs, those farmers will need to find new buyers.
The problem is that it is such a big shake up because the amount of business done with The United States was substantial.
So where is all this food going to go? The truth is, much of it will possibly be wasted or sold for less than the farmers can afford. All of this causes viability issues for our Canadian farmers.
And don’t get me wrong, things like this are the name of the game in farming, which is why we have insurance programs in place for these situations.
But when a change is just so massive, even the regular backup/security measures may not be enough.
Aren’t we already seeing Canadian small farms disappear at alarming rates?
Let’s stop the trend.
Go to your local farmer’s market and buy from the small farmers. Help support their bottom line so they can continue to supply the community for years moving forward.
4. Better for the Environment and Better for the Economy
One thing that is on everyone’s minds of late is the environment, and for good reason.
With all these new technologies coming out every month, we tend to forget that the best way to support the environment is simply to buy local.
Local food travels less distance to get from the field directly to your plate. This means that is produces less exhaust and by-products than food gathered from farther away.
Not only that, but these small farms that are utilizing traditional growing methods...incorporating livestock and plants into bio-diverse and sustainable farms, and it is actually storing carbon in the ground with every harvest.
See, field plants that are not harvested actually leach carbon into the atmosphere as they rot. If they are harvested, or eaten by animals, those nutrients are recycled into the earth and used to grow more healthy food.
It’s the way it should be.
And although we can’t get away from every plastic product on the market, focusing on the big picture can really make a difference.
And it applies for the local products too.
If you would like to get a new birdhouse, there is a lovely man named Andy who makes really nice ones a The Hanover Farmer’s Market. Or you could go to Home Hardware and get a plastic one that was probably shipped in from The States.
Your choice…
5. Keeping Communities Connected and Resilient
Something that has been missing over the past 10-20 years has been a connection to the food that we eat.
I’ve actually heard a child that was asked where beef comes from say the grocery store. When the question was clarified and asked again, they still didn’t know that beef comes from cows…
It wasn’t that long ago that farming was a huge part of the Canadian life, and now kids don’t even know what the meat is “made of”.
We need to change this…
Let’s start a connection back to local farmers. Let’s make that connection your local farmer’s market.
And it’s not only about the farmers. What about the talented artisans who create products for the market. If you have any questions about how their products are made, in my experience, they love to share their secrets.
It’s about the personal connection. Business to customer.
Customer to friend.
Kids to community.
Help us build this community the way we want it to be, and not just the way the world tells us it is going to be.
6. A Future-Focused Strategy
There are a lot of things that are happening in the world that make us nervous of our food resources, but focusing on local foods and creating local food systems can make a big impact.
Let’s focus on the things that we can change and build our world the way we want it to be.
Local food is reliable, healthy, and sustainable.
Our community is friendly, outgoing and supportive.
Let’s bring the two together at The Hanover Eat Well Farmer’s Market.
Invest in the local food system to build the infrastructure for a stable future.
Conclusion: A Small Act With a Big Impact
Many people think that you can’t make a big impact without a huge budget…
Without thousands of customers…
Without a huge warehouse of different products…
But they are wrong, The Hanover Eat Well Farmer’s Market had to restart from nothing after the pandemic and is growing every year.
We are determined to be the place to enjoy new experiences with your families. To bring the kids to without worrying about a $50-100 day just to have some fun.
With that note, we are offering a kids art booth and kids activities every week for free. We love kids and love our community. Let’s make it fun for everyone!
Also, the Eat Well Market will shortly be a non-profit entity! This will help ensure that the market continues to grow and support the local community for years to come.
If there is someone who would like to help support The Eat Well Market, you can make a donation directly at the market in June of this year.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us in the past, and who continues to do so every year.
You mean a lot to us!
Let’s keep trucking along and make this the best market year yet!
See you in June!