After a few quiet years, the Oakville Farmers Market is back and working hard to grow, both in size and community spirit.
Located at the new Oakville Community Centre, the market is once again offering residents a place to shop for fresh produce, homemade goods, and handcrafted treasures every other Thursday evening. With the next market set for Thursday (tonight) from 5 to 7 p.m., organizers are hoping for a strong turnout.
Jennifer Kroeker, who joined the Oakville Farmers Committee in 2022 as the group’s marketer, says the market's return is all about supporting local.
“It's been around for a long time. It took a break for a couple of years during the pandemic,” Kroeker notes. “Since I joined, we've added new members, started promoting more, and it has started getting bigger."
Kroeker, who’s also a local fitness instructor through FitnesswithJen Kroeker, says shopping locally is not just good for small businesses, but also your health.
“Local produce is very healthy for the most part because it's often chemical-free, fresher, and it supports your neighbours,” she explains. “If we don’t support local makers and growers, they’ll slowly fade away. This gives people a chance to try things they maybe wouldn’t make themselves, like fresh baking, canned goods, or handmade soaps.”
In addition to booths filled with crafts, preserves, jewelry, and woodwork, organizers are also adding family-friendly features, such as barbecues and food trucks. An ice cream truck might make an appearance at the next event, and there may even be a vendor grilling burgers and hot dogs.
“Hopefully people can come out, grab dinner, pick up some treats, and enjoy a nice evening supporting local,” she says.
The Oakville Farmers Market runs every second Thursday through October 2nd, and even features a special holiday market closer to Christmas. Organizers utilize the Facebook group to keep customers informed, including providing weather updates, location changes, and announcements.
Kroeker says new vendors are always welcome, especially for the outdoor markets, which are free for participants.
“When we’re outside, space isn’t an issue, and there’s no fee to set up. We want to make it accessible so vendors can profit,” she adds. “If we move indoors, it’s just $15 per table, which is still pretty affordable compared to other markets.”
The market application form is pinned on the group’s Facebook page, and inquiries are managed by the committee’s vendor coordinator, Sue Legault.
The Oakville Farmers Committee hopes the market will continue to gain momentum through the rest of the season.
“Last time we had a quieter turnout, but that might’ve been because we were on a Wednesday instead of our usual Thursday,” she says. “We’ve got some fun things planned, and we’re excited to keep building this into something the whole community looks forward to.”
Whether you're looking to stock your fridge, grab a homemade gift, or simply enjoy a night out, the Oakville Farmers Market offers a little something for everyone, all while keeping the community connected and thriving.
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