Season open for Barry’s Bay Farmers Market

The Barry’s Bay Farmers Market opened for the 2021 season on May 21 at its new location: Royal Canadian Legion, 250 John Street (Hwy 62 and Stafford Street). The Market will be held, rain or shine, every Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. First stop for us, some donuts — and this year Andrea cooks them on site so the aroma is heavenly — Mm-hmm! photo above Facebook/Andrea Budarick Paetzold

Next, a quick visit with Market Chairman Jonathan de Groot who told The Current the market vendors were really happy to have had the 2020 season as a “warm-up” for this year. As always, they have worked closely with the Renfrew County and District Health Unit, plus like most Ontarians they have been occasionally confused by what seem to be ever-changing requirements. What’s new this year? Well, for now, everyone (vendors and customers) must wear masks, even though the Farmers Market is held outdoors. But de Groot says he hopes that masks, along with some other restrictions, will be lifted before we are very far into the season. And so far this year vendors are to selling only food items. Again, de Groot expects this will change.

Casey Street Culinary Sensations (left), Morninglory Farm

Other regular vendors as well as Andrea’s home baking were there:  de Groot’s apiaries and organic vegetables, Spring to Life Farm, pickles and preserves from Jerry and Ann Porath, Debbie Agnew, Shulist Family Farm, Casey St. Culinary Sensations herb and spice mixes, and more. New vendors for 2021 include Morninglory Farm as well as a local craft brewer.

Marc Bru, Square Timber Brewing Company

Marc Bru of Square Timber Brewing Company says with restaurants and bars closed due to Covid restrictions no draft beer gets sold. He told us that he hasn’t put “beer in a keg since last March.” He says he can sell at farmers’ markets thanks to a two-year pilot project the province has been running for wine and craft cider. As soon as it was opened up to include craft brewers this year, Bru jumped at the chance. He’s managed to get into three Ottawa Valley markets: Barry’s Bay, Pembroke (both days), and Deep River. As Vice-President of the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association, Bru knows only too well how important Farmers Markets are when it comes to attracting tourists to Valley communities and how that extra traffic can help minimize the toll that Covid has taken on local businesses. He said it actually wasn’t too hard to acquire the special authority needed to sell his products, as he was already registered as both a retailer and producer. He said he was so happy to be out in the fresh air, he wouldn’t have worried if he only sold two tins all day (and we made sure his goal was met!)

Combermere Farmers’ Market soon

Valley residents don’t have long to wait before the Combermere Farmers Market opens. Market Manager Jamie Harron says their first day is Saturday June 12 and, like Barry’s Bay, the Combermere Market will run until Thanksgiving.

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