Ask yourself a few simple questions….
- Do you have a favourite food?
- Is there a food you don’t like?
- Do you have a comfort food that gives you a warm fuzzy or good memory?
- Do you have a friend or colleague that has introduced you to a food you had never tried before?
Our hope is that you answered, “Yes,” to all of the above questions, and that’s what we love about food: It is a common bond we all share, a single thread that when talked about, brings to mind all sorts of stories and experiences that we can share.
Farmers’ markets are a centre of commerce and socializing, a venue for combining old with new and a place for new ideas to be explored and celebrated.
The Cambridge Farmers’ Market (CFM) is our community food hub. It is where residents gather to talk about food and community happenings. It’s where awareness is built and the beginnings of change takes place.
The CFM dates back to the 1830s with the current market building holding its seat on Dickson Street since 1887. The presence of the market in conjunction with other civic structures, the Town Halls, is an English tradition that is as relevant today as it was when the market was built.
The CFM building’s continued use as a market is unique in Ontario. While other markets either remain outdoors only or have had their original buildings converted for other uses, the CFM has continued to flourish in its original location in its original building for its original intended use and this should be celebrated.
As you explore the market, the sweet and spicy aromas of hot prepared foods and snacks will tempt you, along with an extensive selection of cheeses, chutneys, pies, confections, specialty oils, preserves, and seasonal fruits and vegetables.
A wide range of local growers and food producers can supply you with all your needs from savoury appetizers to mouth-watering desserts.
Our market wouldn’t exist without those dedicated vendors, some of whom have been a part of our team for over 50 years. They arrive in the snow and in the rain, or in the heat of summer, often setting up as early as 3:30 in the morning and many don’t pack up until more than 12 hours later.
We have 26 year-round vendors and 30 seasonal vendors, averaging 56 vendors at the peak of the market season, who supply approximately 35,000 shopper visits each year.
You can learn more about our vendors by visiting the vendor directory on our website.
A farmers’ market is a place of:
- Excitement and anticipation around food
- A centre of commerce and socializing
- A venue for combining old with new
- A place for new ideas to be explored
We encourage you to take part in this tradition as a shopper or entrepreneur; everyone is welcome at the market.
About the original market
While the original location and date of its opening is still a mystery, the Market's history along the east bank of the Grand River is clear. In the 1830s, the east bank was the place to do business in the Township of Galt (now part of the City of Cambridge). The area included the Township's general store, taverns, mills and the village market.
In May 1836, the town's founder, William Dickson, developed a plan to establish the town centre of Galt on the west bank of the Grand River, in the area around what is now Queen's Square. His plan included an area called the Market Place. Unfortunately, Dickson's plan did not succeed as the villagers already felt that their town centre was well established on the east bank and there was no reason to move it.
Moving the market
In North America and in many parts of Europe, markets are usually located close to the local government site. After 1838, the Township of Galt's local government would have been in or near the Township Hall, which was located on the present site of Cambridge's City Hall.
At first, the vegetable market was held completely in the open while the meat market was located in the Township Hall. In 1856, the Township's public school was converted into the vegetable and poultry building, east of the Township Hall.
In 1858, Galt's Town Hall was designated the Town Hall and Market House. The bottom floor of the new building was set aside to house the village's butchers and the village meat market.
In the 1880s, the vegetable and poultry market moved to today's Farmers' Market location at Dickson and Ainslie streets - property purchased by the Town. The vegetable market and poultry market moved into the new building immediately, while the meat market stayed in the Town Hall, probably until 1896 when a two-storey section was added to the vegetable and poultry market building.
About the current Farmers' Market
The current Farmers' Market includes two separate buildings built at different times. The one-storey structure was built in 1887 by mason William Fulton under the supervision of William Graham. The two-storey structure was built in 1896, designed by local architect Fred Mellish. The two-storey building was built by mason, W. Edmonds and carpenters, W. and F. A. Scott.
The upper floor of the two-storey building housed the Galt Public Library until 1905. Starting in 1907, the upper floor served as rehearsal rooms for The Galt Kiltie Band. The Galt Kiwanis Youth Band also used the rooms for rehearsal from 1949 to 1972. The rooms were converted into municipal offices in 1978.
Over the years the market buildings have suffered from daily wear and tear, the effects of road salt and the effects of flood. The 1974 flood caused $35,000 in damages and closed the interior of the market from May to the end of August.
The most recent major renovations of the buildings occurred in 1992. New structural steel beams and columns were added to the interior of the buildings to ensure that they would remain standing for many years to come. The market building was designated as a heritage structure in July 1984, under the Ontario Heritage Act.