Farmers’ Markets Ontario® Award of Excellence

FARMERS’ MARKETS ONTARIO®

2021 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

BY COURTNEY DENARD

Congratulations to the Niagara Falls Farmers’ Market, chosen as the 2021 Market of the Year by Farmers’ Markets Ontario®

MARKET OF THE YEAR FOR 2021

NIAGARA FALLS FARMERS’ MARKET

For more than 100 years, this historical market has been offering its region the best of locally grown produce, farm fresh meats, baked goods, handmade artisanal products and more.

Today, about 1,800 people per week visit the market, which Market Manager Janet Zylstra said welcomed 30,000 people in the 2021 season. “We have a little bit of everything and most of our farmers are within 30 minutes of the market,” Zylstra said. According to Zylstra, forging community partnerships has always been a priority for the Niagara Falls Farmers’ Market. It is something that she says, sets the market apart.

Over the years, the market has helped with food drives, worked with the local library, and partnered with the City of Niagara Falls for a Night of Art, an event that features instalments created by local artists. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Zylstra said it was more important than ever to get healthy, safe food out to the residents of Niagara Falls. It was a challenging time, to say the least, but focusing on customer service, something the market has consistently made a priority, went a long way. “We had customers tell us that coming to the market was their one safe weekly outing and that was rewarding to hear,” Zylstra said. Looking ahead, the market has a lot to be excited about! “We have created a lot of community, we have amazing volunteers and I am really proud of that.”

This September, the City of Niagara Falls is opening the Niagara Falls Exchange, which will include an indoor space for the farmers’ market, an artist studio, a wood working area and a café. “It’ll be a collective where we can share everything, food, culture, art,” Zylstra said. “Plus, with 12-14 spaces inside and another 20 outside, there is opportunity for the farmers’ market to grow.” Zylstra said she was “absolutely thrilled” when she heard that Niagara Falls had been named market of the year. “We have created a lot of community, we have amazing volunteers and I am really proud of that,” she said.