OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, June 12, 2009 · 28 A tale of two markets, local farmers benefit By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF South central Oakville will be home to two farmers markets this summer -- with a new market in downtown Oakville and an expanded market in Kerr Village. The new Habourside Organic Farmers Market opens Saturday, June 20 and will run Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Oct. 31 in Centennial Plaza, located in front of the library at the corner of Lakeshore Road East and Navy Street. The Harbourside market will feature approximately 15 organic vendors selling everything from locally-grown produce to beauty products. Most of the vendors, now united under the banner of Oakville Sustainable Food Partnership, called Kerr Village home for the past two years. They decided to start a new market in a central location with hopes of boosting business. "We think this will be a great location for us and for the community," said Susan Curran, chair of the partnership. "There's the library, art gallery and all the downtown stores right here. The vendors felt they wanted to be in a hightraffic location, so this is one-stop shopping." The new market will feature organic producers and vendors that reside within approximately 100 miles of Oakville. "These are local, organic farmers, or what we call ecologically sustainable farmers, and DEREK WOOLLAM / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER RIPE FOR THE PICKING: Those looking for fresh fruits and vegetables will have lots to choose from in the way of farmers markets in Oakville this summer. they grow all of the vegetables and various Street and Florence Drive. The market will fruits," Curran said. "One of our vendors be open Saturdays starting Saturday, June even sells honey." 13 through Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Kerr Village Business Improvement Despite the departure of some of the preArea has rounded up a new group of vendors vious vendors, the market will actually be to continue the Kerr Village Farmers larger this year because it will feature both Market, located in Heritage Square at Kerr organic and non-organic farmers and ven- dors, according to Richard Messer, executive director of the Kerr Village BIA. The market has teamed up with Slow Food Canada. All products will come from within 100 miles of Oakville. "The Kerr Village Farmers Market is going to be concentrating more on a local environment," said Messer. "It will be better and bigger than ever, with 15 vendors." Messer said several hundred visitors came to the market every Saturday last year, and that number is likely to grow with the new changes. "We are a very busy market," he said. "We probably get between 500 and 750 visitors on an average Saturday. I think people are going to come back based on the last two years of tradition, as well as people who haven't been to the market before." He said one reason more people will come is because the produce will be affordable. "Our community is certainly a diverse one," he said. "So an all-inclusive market is much better positioned to serve the needs of our residents. Organics will still be available, but those who prefer conventional products can now enjoy fresh, nutritious and reasonably priced seasonal goods." The venue will also feature the Market Cafe, a health and wellness component, special events and live entertainment. Opening day will feature Chris Haworth, executive chef from Spencer's at the See Enough page 29