After weeks of uncertainty, the North End Harvest Market has a temporary new home.
Starting today, the market will provide free produce for those in need out of the Trinity United Church on 400 Stevenson St. S. until the end of the year.
The news was a sigh of relief for Barb McPhee, a steadfast volunteer with the market, which has been stationed at a portable at Waverly Drive Public School since its inception 10 years ago.
McPhee was shocked to learn the market had to leave with just two weeks notice due to increased enrolment at the school this year.
Now, she’s “feeling much better” and looking forward to seeing familiar faces.
For the last several weeks, volunteers have been packing bags at The SEED and driving them to the school parking lot to avoid service interruption. Before the market moved, they had started a choice-based model where community members could choose what they take home, but had to revert to pre-determined bags during the interim.
Now that they’re returning to a firm location, the choice-based model will start up again.
It will be located in the gym of the church. The hours will remain the same: Wednesday nights from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. There is also a free bread market on Sundays.
The church is home to other organizations like Anishnabeg Outreach and Community FEWD, which will share the space with the market the second and third Wednesday of each month.
The location is being considered a temporary pilot project by the church and the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition to see how feasible it is. McPhee said if it doesn’t work out, at least it gives them time to figure out a plan B.
McPhee said the first discussion to discuss the future of the market’s location is set for the fall.
