Shelburne Farmers’ Market planning return for mid-June

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A small team of local volunteers have banded together in the hopes of bringing back the Shelburne Farmers' Market, more than a year after being cancelled. 

Alexandra Georgie, is one of the four volunteers working on revitalizing the local farmer's market and says they wanted to bring the market back as a way to create a sense of connectedness to the community. 

“We're surrounded by farms and agriculture, it's such a huge part of Shelburne's culture that we need to embrace. Shelburne has always been a great community for having events and COVID-19 hasn't given the Town the opportunity to showcase and create that sense of belonging to a community,” said Georgie. “There's opportunity to bring that back into our Town and to showcase the local farms and local small business.”

The Shelburne Farmers' Market group officially announced their plans to revitalize the annual local market on May 10, with the hopes of launching by mid-June. 

While the farmer's market would typically start in May, with planning at the beginning of the year, Georgie said when she inquired about the market last month there were no plans to hold it. 

“I think residents want to shop local, they do want to support local businesses versus going to other towns, and visiting their markets,” said Georgie. “We did feel there was a great need for it and [it] was a very popular event in previous summers.”

Georgie and local business owner Rosanna O'Blenis submitted a $2,000 grant application to Shelburne Town Council during their last meeting, to cover public health protocols including PPE and sanitization stations as well as vendor fees, insurance and marketing. 

“When we took over this market, there was no funds left in the bank account for the market based on expenses from previous years.” 

Council voted in favour of supporting the grant. 

According to the Town of Shelburne there was a total of $3,400 in the community grant fund, with $500 used for the Headwaters Food and Farmer Alliance. 

The group also requested $2,000 from the BIA, and estimate they will receive a total of $2,640 from vendor booths.

The Shelburne Farmer's Market group is currently working on completing the Farmers' Market Association application and finalizing vendor applications. 

“We're going to be utilizing previous vendor participants who used to be in the Shelburne market, reaching out to them again,” said Georgie. “We're going to be communicating through social channels if there's any new vendors that want to participate this year.”

Georgie adds they're still looking for volunteers to help with the market, and those interested can contact them at FarmersMarketShelburne@gmail.com

The plan is to hold the Shelburne Farmers' Market every three weeks on a Thursday, rather than on a weekly basis and it will be located on First Ave. W, in Shelburne. 

The Shelburne Farmers' Market will launch in mid-June.