The Thunder Bay Country Market has a new market manager.
Laura Loan is taking on the role.
In her new role, she plans on focusing on local.
“I guess my biggest goal is the involvement of the community more, in particular, I would say, like the young people, the next generation, the up-and-coming farmers,” said Loan. “We need more farmers, more local producers and in this day and age it seems to be kind of dying out.”
“So really, I would like to connect with the local schools, youth programs, whatever I can to generate more of an interest for the young people to get into these kinds of things.”
The market has a vast history starting as a group of 11 local producers operating out of a barn in 1997.
Over the years they have seen relocations and expansions leading up to the present day.
These days the market operates year-round and has both indoor and outdoor spaces for vendors.
The market isn’t the only thing to change over the years with inflation bringing about rising food costs, an opportunity for local producers is created.
“Before it used to be, oh, if you go and when you go and purchase local, you’re paying a bit of a premium, right?” said Sloan. “It’s kind of matching now within the stores, the price of fruits and vegetables in the stores is astronomical.”
“Whereas (at the Country Market) you can go and know the farmers that grew it, know what they use in their product and still pay the same amount, and you’re supporting local, so you’re not only feeling good about your purchase, but you’re actually able to be like, I know that this cucumber came from this farmer and they don’t use pesticides.”
The Thunder Bay Country Market is open every Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., providing a location for local farmers, artisans, and food producers to sell their goods.
