Due to recent economic challenges and tariff uncertainties, more New Brunswickers are turning to farmers’ markets.
Residents are seeking fresh, local food while supporting their communities, which is driving renewed interest in the province’s 46 farmers’ markets.
Suzanne Fournier, executive director of the National Farmers Union in New Brunswick, speaks on behalf of farmers markets in the province.
She said this increased interest is promising but does not solve the larger challenges farmers face.
“Will it last? I don’t know. And does it solve or help any of our major problems in agriculture…probably not,” Fournier said.
Fournier explained that New Brunswick lost 18 per cent of its farms over a four-year period, according to the 2021 agricultural census.
She said the decline in farm numbers reflects the many hurdles new and small-scale farmers face in maintaining operations.
“It’s much, much harder for young or new entrant farmers who want to start farms but are not inheriting farmland or infrastructure,” she said.
Farmers are earning less from their operations. Fournier noted that farms in the province keep only seven cents of every dollar earned, forcing an estimated 65 percent of farms to depend on off-farm income for survival.
Suzanne Fournier says farmers markets are preparing for increased activity during the spring and summer seasons as Canadians look for fresh, seasonal food options and support local producers.
Despite these challenges, farmers’ markets continue to serve as vital hubs for fresh, locally grown food.
Fournier said many markets have strong relationships with farmers, though some struggle to attract new producers.
“There are markets who do have new farms joining. It’s not totally a downward trend, but there are fewer farmers and fewer primary producers attending markets,” she said.
Fournier encourages residents to buy directly from local producers, which helps sustain farms and supports the provincial food system.
“The only way that you can know that you are buying Canadian or buying New Brunswick is if you buy directly from the producer,” she said.
