Page 12 - INSIGHT MAGAZINE_July 2025
P. 12
MEMBER PROFILE
‘The market is
a cornerstone
of activity and
connection’
- Cambridge Farmers’ Market
PHOTOS BY BRIAN RODNICK
It has become a Saturday ritual for According to the CFM website, a form of the This includes fresh fish, meats, cheeses,
many. market originally existed at an unconfirmed eggs, baked goods, as well as a seemingly
Some pulling carts and others with location along the east bank of the Grand endless array of seasonal fruits and
River prior to the construction of a building vegetables, jams, honey, and freshly picked
shopping bags in hand, they converge at its current location on Dickson Street. flowers.
at the Cambridge Farmers’ Market (CFM) Initially, a one-storey structure was first
between 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. to browse among constructed in 1887 before a two-storey “I think more pragmatically now, this
the multitude of fresh produce and goods building was erected in 1896, providing an (market) is cheaper than the grocery store
available from vendors as they select their indoor location for vendors year-round. and the quality is much better,” says Rob
weekly fill of groceries. Anderson, while sitting outside the market
“What I really love about the market is that When it opened, the upper level was home building along with his partner, Ashleigh
to the Galt Public Library until 1905. Two Richards, and their dogs, Tealy and Daisy.
it’s a genuine market. It’s not been taken years later, the space began being utilized
over with crafts and other goods that you as rehearsal rooms for two community The couple visit the CFM at least twice a
really don’t need,” says Jill Summerhayes, bands until 1972. In 1978, four years after the month and are fans of the fresh meats and
while perusing items at one of her favourite Grand River overflowed its banks causing ready-made meals that are available.
vendors. The local arts activist, author, $35,000 in damages to the building, the “We live nearby so it’s lovely to be able
and entrepreneur has been a loyal market upper level was converted into municipal to walk here and nice to be able to
patron for more than 40 years, and rarely offices. The building was designated a support local farms as much as we can,”
misses the opportunity to visit. heritage structure in 1984 and underwent says Ashleigh, referring to the vendors,
“It’s a much nicer way of shopping, rather several major renovations, the last in 2019. 26 of whom operate year-round and
than going around a supermarket because However, throughout the years the core approximately 30 others who are seasonal.
you know you’re helping local farmers,” attraction of the market has never changed At the peak of market season, the number
she says. as visitors, both local and tourists, flock of vendors – many of them staples such as
Genuine is the word that best describes to downtown Cambridge to check out the Carl’s Choice Meats, Kipfer’s Heritage Farm
the popular farmers’ market whose roots many products a variety of vendors – both and Caudles Catch Seafood - averages
can be traced back to the 1830s, making it indoors and outside - are offering. around 56. Some have been part of the
one of the oldest in Canada. market for more than 50 years.
12 Summer 2025 www.cambridgechamber.com
