Shopping at a farmers’ market is a healthy decision not only for you, but for your community’s economy as well.

For every dollar spent at the market, another two dollars ripple through the provincial economy.

In Ontario alone, sales at farmers’ markets total almost $600 million, leading to an economic impact of an astounding $1.8 billion.

For every one person you see working at the market, another two are busy at work back on the farm. As many as 27,000 people in Ontario are directly involved in preparing and selling the products you find at the market.

Farmers’ Markets are good for other businesses too. Up to 70% of market-goers visit neighbouring businesses on their way to and from the market.

Just as each new season brings forth a fresh bounty of harvest, farmers’ markets continue to encourage new businesses. Young and old entrepreneurs alike find markets a great place to start their own enterprise because of the low overhead. Some of these endeavours will grow into store-front businesses of their own.

Just as important, healthy farmers’ fmarkets support a centuries old way of life: the family farm. While giant agriculture corporations and suburban bulldozers quickly replace family operations throughout Ontario, farmers’ markets preserve an integral part of Ontario’s heritage.