The Cape Breton Farmers’ Market has been operational for more than 20 years, but it’s only for the past three that the Market has relocated indoors. In its permanent location on Sydney’s waterfront, it operates year round, every Saturday, at Sydney Marine Terminal on the Esplanade. Residents of Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) now have the opportunity to meet the producers of locally-produced foods. This allows them to learn where and how their foods are produced. They can and do often bring their children and grand-children, so that the younger and new generations become educated about the benefit of buying locally-produced foods. These have travelled only a short distance, and are therefore very fresh. Vendors at the Market are happy to answer questions and many can assure customers that their products have been grown naturally, without any synthetic fertilizers, hormones or additives. Customers, the community and the environment all stand to benefit from “awareness priority”.

Several of the Farmers’ Market vendors are happy to welcome visitors to their work-places. This is evidenced, for example, at the annual Open Farm Day, when hundreds of residents have visited local farms and seen the operations first-hand. Sometimes food items are ordered and picked up at the farms.

Vendors come weekly from points all over the Island to make available to their customers a wide variety of locally-produced items. They come from as far away as Arichat and Margaree, North River and Boularderie, Mira and Goose Cove. With the exception of dairy products, customers can satisfy all their grocery shopping needs at the enhanced Farmers’ Market. Preserves and homebaking are available, as are quality craft items such as jewellery, candles, hand-stitchery and knitting.

Light refreshments and delicious beverages are also popular at the Market, and many regulars enjoy sitting and enjoying these and some conversation. We are growing for you, and you are most welcome on Saturdays year-round to join in the camaraderie and spirit of community development. The hours are from 8:30 AM until 1:00 PM, and we look forward to greeting you there!