Women Leading Change: Huron County Farmers’ Market Network
In this video series, see how a women-led initiative is combining traditional outdoor markets with year-round online sales and promotion to expand the scope of rural farmers’ markets.
Leading Change in Next Generation Farmers’ Markets
The Huron County Farmers’ Market Network is made up of three local markets in Southwestern Ontario: Grand Bend Village Farmers’ Market, Bayfield Farmers’ Market, and Blyth Community Market. Not only does the network save time and overhead for organizers, it also bridges gaps to reach a new generation of customers, extending seasonal in-person markets with year-round online sales, delivery options, and digital marketing. In this short film, meet farmer, organizer and advocate, Joan Brady, and see how this hybrid farmers’ market is keeping alive traditions of the past while growing to a sustainable future.
Inside the Farmers’ Market Network
Collectively, the three markets in the Huron County network represent dozens of local vendors, ranging from farmers to brewers to artisanal bakers. Following the Farmers’ Markets Ontario bona fide farmers’ markets model, vendors are chosen carefully to ensure that products are local, responsibly grown, and that 50% of vendors are farm producers. After first consolidating under the umbrella of the Huron County Farmers’ Market Network during the height of COVID, the network now operates as an efficient regional hub. Each of the markets operate in-person from May to October, while continuing to offer online sales year round. During the summer season, online orders can be picked up at the markets or delivered within a 15 kilometer radius of the local community. From October to April, the markets operate on a bi-weekly schedule, online only, and partner with local businesses to act as pickup points.
Working with Open Food Network
As a non-profit and social purpose organization, the role of Open Food Network Canada is to work with local food and farming enterprises to scale fair, local, and sustainable agrifood initiatives in communities across Canada. Using our open source e-commerce platform, the Huron County Farmers’ Market Network maintains an online storefront for each of its three farmers’ markets. Vendors have control of their own products and inventory and many sell in more than one of the storefronts across the network. The online platform makes it easy for product inventory to be shared across markets and for the Network to manage sales with customers.
When I first started farmers’ markets in 2002, the clientele were generally in their later years, because that had been their tradition all their lives, and we were less popular with younger people. I think now it’s starting to reverse, because people see what they’re missing, through digital media and when they’re connected.
Meet the Farmers & Suppliers
Huron County Farmers’ Market Network includes dozens of farms and suppliers who sell through various combinations of the three in-person and online markets. Ranging from specialty growers to mid-sized farms, they share a commitment to quality and community in Huron County.
We’d like to introduce you to a few of them.
Bayfield Berry Farm
Bayfield Berry Farm is a sustainable, farm-to-table operation, with a simple vision to offer fresh fruit and homegrown products for everyone to enjoy.
CedarVilla Angus Farms
Run by Fifth and Sixth Generation farmers, CedarVilla Angus Farms offers fresh, high quality beef, pork and chicken products in Zurich, Ontario.
Harm-N-E Longhorns
Harm-N-E Longhorns is a family-fun farm in Clinton, Ontario, specializing in the unique Texas Longhorn cattle breed.
Schatz Winery
Schatz Winery is a hand planted, lovingly tended 5-acre vineyard that surrounds the family-run Hessland Inn.
Smokey Hollow Farm
Smokey Hollow is a family-owned, community oriented, and agroecological farm specializing in cut flowers, vegetables and fruit.
Bruce Huron Produce Auction
The Bruce-Huron Produce Auction is a wholesale market for area growers and buyers, owned and operated by the Old Order Mennonite community.
About the Video Series
Open Food Network Canada is working with award-winning videographer Craig Conoley to celebrate some of the diverse small-scale distribution networks that are thriving across Canada, led by women entrepreneurs with a vision for change. In a series of short documentary films, Women Leading Change introduces the women behind these projects, profiles the farms who take part, and shows up close how short supply chains and regenerative agriculture offer solutions for the future.
Funding for this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the AgriCommunication Program.
