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Alliston Farmer’s Market sees successful opening day

June 12, 2020   ·   0 Comments

Alliston BIA Rurban Farmers Market records hundreds of local residents in attendance on opening day this past Saturday.  

ABIA General Manager Linda Spurr said there was a steady flow of foot traffic throughout the day and many of the market visitors ventured into downtown shops as well.

This event is located at the corner of Victoria Street and Centre Street S. in downtown Alliston and has proven to be a successful since moving two years ago from Mill Street. 

“Our downtown branding is ‘RURBAN: the best of both worlds.’ It’s rural and urban put together,” Spurr told The Times. “We are a vibrant urban centre in the midst of a rural area.”

Over the past decade, the Farmers’ Market has committed to supporting local farmers as well as the downtown businesses.  The ABIA encourages the New Tecumseth community to “shop like you live here.” 

But this year did not come easy, of course. With a global pandemic, Spurr says implementing this year’s event was a bit taxing. The most challenging aspect, she said, was figuring out how all of this was going to work. 

“It was a bit of a challenge to make sure that all requirements were met yet still create a comfortable feel of community and a festive event. We have a great team and it worked out great.” 

Spurr says that all of the customers adhered to their social distancing measures. Nobody refused a spray of hand sanitizer before grabbing a complimentary bag to cruise around the area. 

Being the first RURBAN Market of the season, Spurr says that only five vendors were in place, for now. Currently, they can only have food vendors, but once things begin to open up even more, she says she wants to bring in additional local vendors. 

While following one direction around the grassy venue, Mulmur’s Honey was the first pit stop, followed by fresh produce from E.F.T Farms, tasty jams and tea biscuits from My Grandma’s Farm, D&D Meats’ finest cured products followed by fresh samosas from Indian Flames. 

 “Most (vendors) have been with us for the past nine years. Indian Flames is new this year, and they have sold over 300 of their fresh hot samosas already today.” 

With continued local support each year, Spurr says she loves holding this event because it is her community. 

“It’s meeting up with friends, and your community neighbours. Our downtown is really a great gathering place for everyone, and, as a resident myself, I think that’s important to support local” said the General Manager of five years.

The Farmer’s Market will be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. until the end of October.

The ABIA Board of Directors are a group of volunteers who are leaders in the business community dedicated to ensuring downtown Alliston is a viable, progressive centre of commerce. Under their direction, General Manager Spurr carries out the organization’s strategic plans and events along with Marketing & Communications Coordinator Kelsie Ludlow.

“Many hours go into the preparation for the market and we attribute the success of this event to our staff and volunteer team Lindsay, Joelle, Kris, Tyler and Henry who all worked tirelessly to ensure we had an incredible opening day!” says Spurr.

By Robert Belardi


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