North Bay’s outdoor Farmers’ Market open for summer season
It’s a sign that summer is on the horizon. Farmers’ markets are opening in cities and towns across the north.
In its 20th year, the North Bay Farmers’ Market began its season Saturday, but also has a mid-week market open Wednesdays.
"We love our farmers’ market. The people in our area, you know they support local. We have gained so many friends and market family," said vendor Tara De Haan of De Haan Family Farms.
Most shoppers are local, but, Donovan Daniel, the market’s vice-chair, said tourists in the area often stop at the market.
"The reality is that it is the customers that make this possible. Of course many of the customers have been coming to the market for several years," said Daniel.
Daniel said many vendors reported record sales on the first day, held Victoria Day.
“It certainly gives us a lot of encouragement for the upcoming season,” he said. “We had great weather to start and today we're having another great day."
The market has grown significantly over the years. Daniel estimates there are about 100 members and vendors this season and they’re not just selling food, but also locally made crafts and entertainment, as well.
The start of the season has brought some unpredictable weather and some produce farmers have been forced to make adjustments to get their vegetables and plants to market.
"A few weeks ago I was concerned about drought and last night I was covering up because of frost," Daniel said.
"In another week, we might have too much rain. Farmers are resilient."
The summer market will be open until Oct. 8. The market is open 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the corner of Oak and Ferguson streets Saturdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Commonwealth falls short of condemning Russia as Trudeau prepares for G7
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is headed to the G7 in Germany Saturday without a consensus from the Commonwealth to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but with a chorus of countries calling for help to overcome the fallout of the war.

Protesters at U.S. Supreme Court decry abortion ruling overturning Roe v. Wade
Hundreds of protesters descended on the U.S. Supreme Court on Saturday to denounce the justice's decision to overturn the half-century-old Roe v. Wade precedent that recognized women's constitutional right to abortion.
Tear gas used to disperse protesters outside Arizona Capitol building, officials say
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday, holding that there is no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion, protesters and supporters of the ruling gathered at the high court's building in Washington, D.C., and in other cities nationwide.
Conservative MPs free to attend 'freedom' protests this summer: Bergen
With the nation's capital bracing for anticipated anti-mandate 'freedom' movement protests during Canada Day weekend, interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen says her MPs are free to attend.
With war, Kyiv pride parade becomes a peace march in Warsaw
Ukraine's largest LGBTQ rights event, KyivPride, is going ahead on Saturday. But not on its native streets and not as a celebration.
Biden signs landmark gun measure, says 'lives will be saved'
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday signed the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades, a bipartisan compromise that seemed unimaginable until a recent series of mass shootings, including the massacre of 19 students and two teachers at a Texas elementary school.
Child labour remains an increasing source of Canada’s everyday products: NGO
Many Canadians still remain unaware of the involvement of forced child labour in the products they buy, according to non-profit agency World Vision Canada.
Norway shaken by attack that kills 2 during Pride festival
A gunman opened fire in Oslo's nightlife district early Saturday, killing two people and leaving more than 20 wounded in what the Norwegian security service called an 'Islamist terror act' during the capital's annual LGBTQ Pride festival.
Missing Kelowna woman found dead, family confirms
The family of Chelsea Cardno says the body found on flooded farmland adjacent to Mission Creek Friday night has been identified as the missing Kelowna woman.