PEI Farm Centre exterior

New Market at Farm Centre Launches June 15

  • June 1, 2017

Thursday evenings in Charlottetown are about to get a whole lot tastier

Whether you prefer to shop for your food before the weekend arrives or are simply in search of a convivial, green space to wile away a sunny evening, the new farmers’ market set to launch at the Farm Centre in Charlottetown is likely to suit your fancy. Every Thursday, starting June 15, the Farm Centre will host a pop-up farmers’ market from 4pm to 8pm.

“The Farm Centre Association’s mandate has always been to provide a space for cultural and entertaining engagement of urban and rural people to come together to celebrate Island agriculture and Island food. The night market seems to be a natural extension of the services we provide to the community,” Phil Ferraro, Farm Centre manager, said.

Kelly Drake, the market manager, and Ferraro both indicated the market will focus on farmers. As of late May, 38 individuals/businesses had registered for the night market, including 20 farmers, 9 food vendors, 8 artisans, and a flower farmer. Vegetables, fish, meats (poultry, pork, beef, duck, etc.), eggs, preserves, and other tasty value-add food products will be on offer. Beyond the shopping experience, the market organizers hope to provide a family-friendly environment where people will be inclined to slow down.

“The gardens [will be] open for people to enjoy, we will have cooking demonstrations and a place for entertainers to busk and family lawn games [including] horse shoes, croquet, ring toss,” Ferraro said.

Entrance to Legacy Garden, wooden boardwalk with wooden frame.

The Legacy Garden, located behind the Farm Centre, will be open to the public to enjoy on market nights. Photo credit: Shannon Courtney/Salty

Putting a new spin on the traditional market, the Farm Centre will be setting up an online marketplace where vendors can promote their products and market-goers can place their orders in advance.

“The Thursday night market is already getting lots of positive feedback, especially from people who work in Charlottetown but live out of town. What we are hearing is that they commute all week long so often don’t want to come to town again on the weekend,” Ferraro said.

City-dwellers and tourists may equally appreciate the evening hours, ambience, and selection. June 15 will mark the first chance to explore the new market, which will be free and open to all.

About Shannon Courtney

Shannon is the co-founder of Salty and was its editor-in-chief for the publication's inaugural year. When she’s not writing about food, Shannon's either cooking, eating, talking, or thinking about it. Her food adventures have included milking a Jersey cow in Australia, almost overdosing on maple syrup in Prince Edward County, and studying local food systems in Vermont as part of her Master’s thesis research. Shannon is also a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and strongly believes you CAN make friends with salad.

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