In the heart of farm country

Johnson Farmers’ Market in Desbarats, Ontario (pronounced “Debra”) is a relatively new market, but it has made a big impact in the community in the short time it’s been in operation.

Deemed a destination market, it was founded in 2007. Market Manager Edith Orr said that when they started the market, “the first order of business was to educate people on where Desbarats was!”

Today, the market is a busy, bustling farmers’ market in the heart of farming country in pretty Johnson Township, which is an easy 30-minute drive east of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, just off Hwy 17 East. It started out under a prospector’s tent and now there is a permanent covered structure.

Edith pointed out that “the market provides the cover and the tables for their vendors, so that they can use the room in their vehicles, whether a buggy or truck, to bring in as much product as they can for customers.”

I met up with Edith on a busy Saturday market morning recently. She is a retired elementary school teacher and principal, who has been very active in the community not only through her work with the farmers’ market, but as part of the Central Algoma Fresh Water Coalition and the North Shore Economic Development Committee. Her roots are in the agricultural community, where she and her husband raised their children on a 600-acre farm.

The Johnson Farmers’ Market vendors come directly from the community surrounding the market. They’re Old Order Mennonites, traditional farmers, and young, upcoming farmers too.

They offer products that are grown, raised, and produced with the noted and posted priority as follows: from the community, Northern Ontario, and Ontario at large. This ensures customers that what they are buying is as authentic to the area as possible, and freshness is measured in hours. “What you’re buying today was picked this morning directly on the farms of those vendors.” said Edith.

There are even more vendors inside the arena with baked goods and much more. There’s Cheryl’s Café too, where shoppers can enjoy a snack or stop for a delicious lunch.

- Sandra Trainor

Read the full article about the Johnson Farmers’ Market in Desbarats