First-ever Caledon Village Market a success for vendors, organizers

By Zachary Roman

Despite a bit of uncooperative wind, the first-ever Caledon Village Market was a winner.

Held on the Friday before the long weekend, May 20, vendors reported a good turnout, especially for a brand-new market's opening. Upon arrival at the market, which was held at the Caledon Fairgrounds in Caledon Village, people were guided to a parking spot where they could see the row of vendors of all kinds set up.

Maggie McElaney, farm manager of Avalon Lavender Farm in Mono, had set up a display of the farm's products for the market. She said last year 30,000 lavender plants were planted and everything she was selling was made from the resulting harvest.

“We have seven different varieties of lavender: five English lavenders, then two French lavenders. French is a little bit more perfumey so we use it for things like essential oils, and English lavender for things like cooking buds,” said McElaney.

She had found out about the Caledon Village Market from another vendor who was there, Christine Patton, the owner of Fromage.

Passionate about cheese and the stories behind old world cheeses from Europe, Patton is also a wine-pairing expert.

She had a store in Orangeville for years, but didn't want to leave her passion when she closed her bricks and mortar location. Selling cheese at the Caledon Village Market is just one way she's been keeping up with her passion.

Patton said one of the market's organizers, Barney Beckett, called and asked her if she'd like to be a part of it. She said yes right away, and explained she loves markets because everyone who drops by and is a part of them is always in such a great mood.

Jen Cosby, a beekeeper, attended the Caledon Village Market to sell honey from her apiary, Living Against the Current. She heard about the market by word of mouth and thought it would be a great fit for what she does. Plus, the market is just 15 minutes away from her beehives.

Cosby began beekeeping about six years ago, but started focusing more on making a business out of honey production about a year ago. She said she loves gardening and growing her own food, so she originally kept bees for pollination. 

Jeanette MacEachern, a holistic nutritionist by trade, decided she wanted to begin making the kind of food she would recommend to her clients. She started her business, Truly Baked Gourmet Granola, around six years ago. She said time and convenience is a big factor for people when it comes to eating healthy.

MacEachern learned about the Caledon Village Market online. She's been a regular at the Georgetown Farmers' Market, and since she had customers from Orangeville and area, she decided to try the new market in Caledon Village.

MacEachern said she tries to use as many local ingredients as possible, and all her granolas are sweetened with only local honey or maple syrup.

The Caledon Village Market will continue to be held Fridays from 2 to 7 p.m. until October 7. It won't run on June 10 or July 1 due to those dates being for the Caledon Fair and Caledon Canada Day and Strawberry Festival, respectively.