The Queen's Square Farmer's Market runs every Sunday, rain or shine.
Queen’s Square will once again be transformed into a farmer’s market Sunday afternoon, despite grey skies.
The market runs every Sunday from Mother’s Day until Thanksgiving, rain or shine.
Andre Robichaud, an organizer of the market, says last weekend’s opening was a huge success.
“It was definitely the biggest first market of the season that we’ve had since 2011. You know, it was great to see everybody out, so it was just a really positive great time for everybody, vendors and patrons alike,” he said in an interview.
Last Sunday was our busiest season opener EVER!!! We appreciate you supporting local and helping to build up our …
Posted by Queen Square Farmers Market on Tuesday, May 14, 2019
The market is home to a number of vendors, from food trucks to organic produce, art, and musicians. Vendors vary from week to week, but Robichaud says it averages between 40-45 vendors a week.
He also says they have a number of new, exciting vendors this year.
“We have some new woodworkers coming in, we have some new jewelry vendors, we have some folks doing vegan cheese, some folks doing tacos, we have a Jamaican food vendor coming in,” he said.
There are an average of 40 to 45 vendors each week.
The market was started in 2011. Robichaud explains the original founders of the market wanted to fill a need in the community.
“To just bring food in to an area that didn’t have access to regular, locally made food. So the South End of Saint John was in need of a place where people could go buy vegetables; Queen’s Square was in need of an event to revitalize the space,” he said.
He says being in a public space like Queen’s Square means they try keep sustainability in mind.
“We try to sort and divert as much waste at the market as we can, so we have composting bins on site. Last year alone we diverted over 900 lbs of organic waste away from the landfill just at our one event,” he said.
They also vet each vendor carefully and make sure they align with the market’s pillars: local, ethnically diverse, sustainable, high quality and healthy foods, and community.
Robichaud began at the market as a vendor himself, selling coffee beans with his partner Liam. In the past three years has transitioned to an organizational role.
He says he is looking forward to the Mayor’s Ride happening on May 26. Mayor Don Darling will be biking from Lily Lake to the Queen’s Square market.
There will also be a no-pedal bike race between Darling and local MP Wayne Long.
The market partners with a variety of community organizations, and the Mayor’s Ride event is no different, partnering with Saint John Cycling. The group will be at the market collecting donations for the Saint John Bike Share.
