4 minute read
Stay Local, Build Community
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
At the Cedar Farmers’ Market, shopping is simple: it’s fresh produce and artisanal crafts directly from the farmers and artists to you. With the national efforts to shop Canadian, more people are turning to their local markets, and the Cedar Farmers’ Market is the best on the Island.
Kate Poirier, the manager for the market, says that it’s been a record-breaking summer since the opening market on Mother’s Day. “We have had record setting attendance this whole year, and it has been a trend across farmers’ markets on Vancouver Island. … I think it’s a mixture of shop local and buying Canadian [that] is [at the] forefront for people.”
The market has become a prominent hub for the community. As Poirier explains, “It’s almost a social network. It’s a third space that we don’t have a lot of in our community anymore.”
Visiting the market isn’t just about shopping, it’s a destination and an experience. “We really invested in getting seating and shelters and organizing our music schedule so there’s free, live entertainment,” she says. “It’s not all about money. Get out of your house, go be among other people, build your own community and let us help you do that.”
Vendors come from Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands to participate in this market. With the consistent repeat traffic and the increase in new attendance, they are able to grow their customer base. “You see this sort of spiderweb effect of these small businesses growing their network of customers across all of Vancouver Island,” says Poirier.
Since the beginning of the year, the average attendance has been 2,600 people per week. New business participation is also up with 38 new vendors this year. She adds, “I expect that we will have hosted close to 200 different businesses and organizations by the time the season wraps up, plus 13 different solo musicians and bands.”
The secret to this market’s success, Kate says, is the staff. “I have never had so many in-person comments and emails about a great team in my life like I have this year. They are welcoming and friendly at the main entrance, they genuinely love the market and they work their butts off in the heat waves and rainstorms.” The open environment that Kate creates with her staff trickles into every part of the market experience. It’s easy to see why people keep coming back.
The market happens at the Woodbank School in Cedar every Sunday until Hallowe’en. The Christmas Market will be held outside, rain or shine, on November 9, 2025.
Kate is already looking ahead to next year, which marks the 30th anniversary of the market. “We’re looking forward to putting on a big event for the community, for the public, that’s all free.”
The details are still to be determined, but anyone interested in participating as a volunteer can reach out to Kate at the manager@cedarfarmersmarket.org.
If your Sundays are particularly busy, there are other local markets from Nanaimo to Duncan which run throughout the week. They’re the perfect place to find a fresh baked good, or pick up a basket of vegetables. The Island Roots Market in Nanaimo runs every Wednesday from 3pm-6pm in Beban Park. It’s outdoors for the summer but will return into the Centennial Building in October. The Ladysmith Farmers Market is wrapping up their season on September 23rd, so be sure to catch them on Tuesdays from 3pm-7pm at the Eagles Hall before it’s over. The Duncan Farmer’s Market is every Saturday from 9am - 2pm, under the historic clock tower in the town square.
