Cornwall Kinsmen Farmers’ Market begins 2024 season

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With 32 vendors – including a few first-timers – offering a multitude of products and services, the Cornwall Kinsmen Farmers’ Market welcomed a large crowd to its St. Lawrence College on a perfect Sunday for its first market in 2024.

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“It was a beautiful day – we had 1,400 people today (with 1.5 hours to go). It’s the biggest opening in eight years,” said market manager Neil Benjamin. “It was fantastic; We’ve had a lot of people sell out, a lot of people come back, getting to know their favorite vendors.”

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He said the farmers market concept continues to attract new customers.

“They just love the fact that they’re local, they have a connection with the vendor, and they come back every year, every season,” Benjamin said, explaining that the draw is that, almost without exception, vendors rely on SDG.

He said the roster of vendors continues to grow, citing at least three: Vodkow (Dairy Distilleries), Stonehouse Vinyard and Maritime Market & Seafood, which were present at the opening.

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Vodkow collects raw milk/cream from farmers in the Winchester area and distills it into several vodka products at an Almonte facility. Stonehouse Vinyard is based outside the village of Lochiel, North Glengarry. The Sea Market is located on Eleventh Street, Cornwall, but its trailer runs throughout SDG.

Vodkow representative Serena Sabourin said the reaction of many visitors to the stand was one of surprise.

“We had a customer who was shocked that it was vodka,” Sabourin said, noting that customers are presented with several varieties to sample.

She said many are impressed that Vodkow is able to use milk that would otherwise be thrown away and thus provide additional income to farmers.

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Sabourin said there are plans to increase availability at other farmers’ markets as well.

Maritime Market operator James Atkinson said his stand had enjoyed a brisk business.

“The need for seafood is just that niche that nobody else can fill,” Atkinson said, explaining that rising supply costs are a factor in staying competitive.

He has a steady partner with a fishing company in PEI, but plans to source his seafood from the Port of Montreal to get better prices. The demand is so high, he said he feels his presence in the market will also attract another group of customers from the market.

“The need and demand for seafood is so intense it’s almost overwhelming,” Atkinson said.

Benjamin said the opening had a plant-based theme and that these special days will continue throughout the year.

The Cornwall Kinsmen Farmer’s Market operates at St. Lawrence College Cornwall every Sunday from 10am to 2pm until 27 October.

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