Jul
4
By Jessica Duncan
Twenty years is definitely something to crow about. For the past two decades, James Bay denizens and visitors alike have supported our local farmers’ market, helping it grow into the amazing community amenity that it is today. If you are one of the Market’s regular visitors, you need to pat yourself on the back for playing your part in the rapidly growing Local Movement. If you’re a Market old-timer, you can congratulate yourself for being ahead of your time.
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| Photos by Carole Elliott |
The vendors and Board of the James Bay Community Market should also be proud of themselves. In the age of the box store and supermarket, it is hard work trying to make a living selling one’s own wares. But with passion and dedication, dozens of creative folk have steadily persevered, and over time, watched the public’s loyalties incrementally shift from the corporations to the individual producers. By spending their weeks creating foods and crafts and soaps and clothes, then attending the market every Saturday, May – October, the Market vendors have grown an impressive community and a feel-good economy.
This 20th market season is off to a roaring start with many new vendors, a mouth-watering selection of food trucks, and an excellent line-up of some of Victoria’s finest musicians. If you haven’t yet visited the James Bay Community Market this year, be sure to head over to the corner of Menzies and Superior on Saturdays to fill your grocery bags with some of the freshest local produce and other delicious treats. Be sure to allow yourself enough time to enjoy a cup of coffee, a bite to eat and some fine tunes.
August 14 is a date to mark in your diary as you are all cordially invited to join the James Bay Community Market’s 20th birthday celebrations. Of course there will be cake! And children’s activities and general merriment. Bring your shopping bags, your appetite, your memories of markets past, and your friends.
The James Bay Community Market runs every Saturday from 9am-3pm at the corner of Menzies and Superior or join us at our sister market, The Breakwater Market, located next to the Breakwater at Ogden Point every Sunday during July and August (except August 9) 11am to 4 pm.