Patricia McDermott, owner of the Agrarian Market pitches the idea of a Picton Farmers’ Market at the committee of the whole meeting on Thursday April 27, 2017. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Prince Edward County has given the green light to a new farmers’ market setting up shop near Picton’s downtown core.
On Tuesday night, council approved Agrarian Market owner Patricia McDermott’s request to open the market on Sundays at 4 Lake Street next to the LCBO. It is expected to open this Victoria Day long weekend until Thanksgiving.
Currently the Agrarian Market operates a specialty fine foods and local grocery store in that area and now McDermott will be able to expanded to an adjacent piece of property near the entrance of the Millennium Trail owned by the County.
At the time of McDermott’s request on April 27, she explained the Picton market would offer residents and tourists the opportunity to buy locally grown produce. There is also the chance to sell products such as soaps made from locally grown products. She said her main goal is to support the local farmers and make sure they have an outlet to reach as many residents and tourists as possible.
It is hoped to have 30 vendors operating each week.
Meanwhile, council has also approved a community garden to continue growing at Picton’s Delhi Park along with a new one on the grounds of the Wellington Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant.
It was also decided that all community gardens on municipal land require a community champion, such as a community organization or volunteer community coordinator on an ongoing basis to sustain municipal land use.
Also any community garden initiatives on municipal land, including fundraising, management and maintenance of gardens are the responsibility of participating community members and groups other than municipal staff.
