Welland’s farmers market has plenty of room to expand once restrictions lift, says city’s recreation and culture manager

Welland resident Betty Garrison, of Garrison Vegetables, holds red and yellow peppers at Welland’s farmers market Saturday morning. The market faces restrictions under the current provincial lockdown, including allowing only 20 people inside buildings at one time. DAVE JOHNSON / TORSTAR

By Dave Johnson
Courtesy of The Welland Tribune

Business at Welland’s farmers market has been steady but understandably a lot quieter than pre-pandemic times, says Richard Dalton, the city’s recreation and culture manager.

Last year, the market at 70 Young St. was closed with all other city facilities in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened outdoor spaces only with physical distancing protocols in place in early July, and it wasn’t until August that indoor facilities opened.

Dalton said under the current provincial lockdown, the number of people allowed inside the two building on-site is limited.

“We’re holding the number of customers inside our buildings to 20 at a time and have designated entrances and exits to promote one-way traffic. Staff are on-site to help guide customers and manage the flow.”

He said masks are mandatory, hand sanitizer is provided and social distancing between customers promoted.

There are about 16 vendors inside and five outside, with the numbers varying week to week.

One of the outside vendors Saturday was Wellander Betty Garrison of Garrison Vegetables.

Garrison is no stranger to the market, her father William Summerfield ran Summerfield Vegetables for 68 years, and she would come with him every week.

“My father used to employ five people. I’m carrying on his tradition,” she said, adding her father, who she had a photo of taped beside her table, died five years ago.

She sources her vegetables from Norfolk County, from farmers in Villa Nova, Simcoe and Delhi. The same places her father did.

Garrison said the No. 1 Grade vegetables from those areas “just taste different.”

Dalton said the city looks forward to seeing more vendors, both inside and outside, as restrictions ease.

“We have lots of space to expand.”

He said it will take time for the farmers market to return to pre-pandemic activity, and added the city is ready to initiate a promotional campaign to bring awareness back to the community and encourage new and returning visitors to come out.

“There is a lot of appreciation for the vendors who are there each week providing a valuable service to the community.”