The Canton Farmers Market provides St. Lawrence University students with the opportunity to shop for fresh produce, delicious meats, and a variety of craft goods while being able to support local businesses. At the farmers market, you also have the unique ability to talk to the people who produce your food, learn about St. Lawrence County non-profits, and connect with other members of the community. Not to mention it is just a short walk away from the village park. So far this semester, many students have taken these opportunities in stride.  

Student attendance at the market this year has been more than expected, according to Erica Kelso, the manager of the farmer’s market. Erica is in her first year of the shared management position with GardenShare, the non-profit that manages the Canton, Gouverneur and Potsdam markets, in April. After the bountiful summer season ended, Erica thought that the market days would start to slow down. However, it has not, “I think the college students in both Canton and Potsdam will push us through the rest of the season with great sales numbers,” Erica hopes.  

More than expected student attendance may be for many reasons. The first is the accessibility of the market for SLU students and the appeal of local foods and goods. The second was a student day, held on Sept. 1, where students were encouraged to come to the market where they could shop and enter a raffle for $10 of market credit. 10 SLU students entered the raffle, but more were believed to have attended the student day. Since then, due to word-of-mouth conversations, Erica suspects, student attendance has been gradually increasing each week. KDS, one of SLU’s Greek sororities, supports local philanthropic efforts and partners with GardenShare each year in multiple ways. Erica recognizes their role in getting students to the market, “I do think some college students who come out to the market come out because of KDS and their involvement in the market and GardenShare.” She is also very grateful for the volunteer work they do and chooses to work with a local rather than national non-profit.   

Although student life has advertised the market in weekly emails about on and off-campus activities, the administration did not advertise the student day and the raffle. Erica was hoping to have SLU advertise the event as well as a table at the market. Something she was able to get SUNY Canton to do for the Canton market and both Clarkson and SUNY Potsdam to do for the Potsdam market. “I sent some emails and left a lot of voicemails and did not get any returned calls,” said Erica, reflecting on her efforts. She does recognize that there are not many people in those busy offices and does not hold it against them but does think that situations like this might contribute to the stigma that SLU does not interact with the Canton community. Despite this missed opportunity, including the market in the weekly emails is important in advertising the market to students who may not know it exists.  

Of course, “there is always room for improvement,” Erica said regarding improving the relationship between both students and administration with the market. By having conversations and getting involved in the market like KDS, CBL, and SLU PIC students, we can foster a relationship that ensures the market will be here for our enjoyment for years to come. But most importantly, Erica says, is to come on out to the market and enjoy what is unique to the area!   

The farmers market will be open until Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday. For more information about the market, follow GardenShare’s Facebook and the Canton Farmers Market Facebook page. You can also subscribe to the Farmers Market Manager’s newsletters to learn about other markets in the county, fun facts about food and farming, and recipes made from local food!   

Shop local!