The Kemptville Farmers Market recently shared over $ 5,000 with three local organizations.

Donations came from the market’s first Jack Frost outdoor fair, which took place in late November and early December at the B&H Community Grocer parking lot, which donated the space for the fair.

During the two Sunday markets, over 500 pounds of food was donated to the local Salvation Army food bank and over $ 1,600 was raised in the Salvation Army kettle. In addition, $ 620 was raised through raffle gift baskets filled with gifts from local vendors.

“This is a testament to the generosity of the people of Kemptville,” said Beth Tilbury, chair of the Jack Frost Fair committee, adding that what was collected in the kettle was more than they might have expected and the committee was overwhelmed with support for the local community. charities.

The Jack Frost committee also donated $ 1,500 each to the Big Sky Ranch Animal Sanctuary, a Kemptville-based no-kill animal sanctuary for abused and unwanted animals, and the just-located House of Lazarus Food Bank. outside of North Grenville in Mountain.

Donations were collected by vendors who donated to the gift baskets, which were then raffled off to customers; proceeds from the rental of tables from vendors within the fair also went to local charities. The admission fee was non-perishable food items which were then donated to the local Salvation Army food bank.

“It was amazing,” Tilbury said. “He embodied the true spirit of Christmas.

The outdoor Jack Frost Fair began on Sunday, November 28 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and was followed by a second fair on December 5. Both open air markets had bakers, artisans, food vendors, local live music, take out food, live Christmas tree sales and more.

Previously, the Kemptville Farmers’ Market hosted an annual holiday market, called Mistletoe Fair, which was held in the Civic Center but could only accommodate 20 vendors due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Tilbury, the relocation of the now renowned Holiday Market outside of Kemptville caused the vendor space to fill up quickly.

Stacey Johnston, manager of the Kemptville Farmers Market, said the event was a success for both attendees and local vendors.

She added that especially at this time, it is “so important” that the money goes to local charities.

The first-ever outdoor fair also gave Kemptville Farmers’ Market vendors and outdoor vendors the opportunity to make more Christmas sales, Tilbury said, adding: “Everyone wants to start outside again.”

(Jessica Munro is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works for the Brockville Recorder and Times. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.)