Market brings support for vendors

The Brantford farmer’s market transforms into holiday market with Christmas treats and Santa visits for locals

Brantford Farmer’s Market transformed into a holiday market on Dec. 7 and Dec. 14, with the appearance of Santa Claus and holiday-themed vendor booths. According to local vendors, the holiday event, hosted by the city of Brantford drew in more attendees than usual.  

“There’s a lot of different people that come in, some people only come in around Christmas,” said Danny Prowse, a vendor who sells Hewitt’s dairy products and farm fresh eggs. He’s been a vendor at the market for 20 years and said the holiday market is good for business.  

“You get other people coming in, you got Santa Claus coming in, and people coming to see Santa Claus,” Prowse said.  

He said the holiday market brings people together, including those coming to visit Brantford for Christmas. Like many vendors, he decorated his booth for the holidays. 

Mary Lou Chatland is a regular customer at the market, and said many people don’t know about the year-round market. “They come to the market and discover that it’s more than just a holiday event,” she said.  

Judith Piets sells baked goods from Pete’s bake shop at the market and has noticed the influx of attendees during the holiday market this year. “You get more like newcomers,” she said. 

Piets says her booth is busier, and many people have orders for family get-togethers. “It brings a lot of people out, and everybody is cheerful,” she said.  

Her booth sells a variety of Christmas baked goods, including fruitcake, shortbread and almond-filled gingerbread. 

Since 1848, the Brantford Farmers’ Market has provided the community with locally grown and sourced products. “You get the things that are actually made in a bakery not the commercial line of stuff,” Chatland said. 

Chatland believes it’s important to support the local vendors. “You find some items that are better priced and better quality than the grocery store,” she said. 

The market currently provides fresh produce, meat, dairy, flowers, baked goods, crafts and décor to its weekly 1,500 to 3,500 attendees according to the City of Brantford. 


This article was originally printed in Volume 24, issue 5 on January 9, 2025.

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