History
For nearly two hundred years, Ancaster has been a strong and vibrant farming community. The Ancaster Farmers Market celebrates its local heritage by bringing the farm community back to the Ancaster Village Core. Reestablished in June 2009 the Ancaster Farmers’ Market started with just one organic vendor. By the end of that first season the Ancaster Farmers Market had grown to fifteen weekly vendors.
In 2023, the Market moved to the Market Square at the Memorial Arts Centre. This location is in the heart of Ancaster Village at 357 Wilson Street L9G 2C1. Ample parking is available. It is accessible from Queen Street, off Sulpher Springs Rd.
Values
The Ancaster Farmers’ Market’s community-central location in the Ancaster Village strives to provide farmers with an affordable local sales outlet and the community with access to fresh, local, naturally grown produce within walking or riding distance of many Ancaster neighbourhoods. The central location is designed to encourage bike and pedestrian traffic and reduce the use of cars to access quality food products.
As well, the benefits of a local Farmers Market are…
- Local food growers and producers can prosper by finding local marketplaces for their products
- Every resident has access to high quality, nutritious, locally grown food
- A venue is provided to strengthen economic, social & recreational development plus systems of local produce distribution
- Residents understand the value of strengthening the local economy by purchasing locally grown food
- Sustainable farming and local food production can expand as more people choose to enter these professions
- Farmers markets can grow, nourish and inspire community
- Opportunities are made available for experienced farmers to mentor the young and young farmers to share new knowledge
- Entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to get into the marketplace with low overhead
- A vibrant gathering place where friends meet and shop
- A resource for learning about food, agriculture and nutrition
- A showplace for Southern Ontario agriculture