The Mountjoy Farmers’ Market in Timmins isn’t letting a springtime snowstorm this weekend slow down its expansion plans. The organization is preparing to begin construction of a new pavilion to add to its current pavilion. New lumber is stacked and ready as work is set to begin at some point in the next couple of weeks at its Riverside Drive location. The success of the weekly market, which runs for 20 weeks from May 30 through the Thanksgiving weekend, has made it possible for the organization to expand. Nearly done in six weeks “Everything’s on site now,” said Rock Whissell, president of the Porcupine District Agricultural Society. “We have the trusses, we have the eight-by-eights. We’re lucky to have the same contractor, Work Monster, who built the first pavilion. So they bring experience and expertise. We’re hoping that within six weeks, the building will be nearly complete.” Whissell said between 2,000 and 3,000 people attend the Saturday morning markets. The pavilions provide shelter and shade for both vendors and customers, with local growers given priority. “I’ve noticed Borealis is coming back — a farmer we lost for a couple of years,” he said. “It’s great to see them growing again. Demand from farmers continues to rise because of the market’s popularity. We’re getting more interest from out-of-town vendors and smaller operations are expanding and bringing more produce to market.” A couple of other notable future upgrades will include a new Mountjoy Farmers’ Market sign and permanent washroom facilities.
