On Saturday, Sept. 17, I interviewed some of the merchants at the Lennoxville Farmers’ Market about how their season has been and if they have experienced any challenges regarding inflation that has impacted almost everything.

Ferme Jardins des Bocages, which is an organic farm owned by Daniel and Medeleine Labonté, stated that it was a very good season this year. They noticed an increase in people attending the market, especially students. It has been rainy which has been beneficial to the produce they grow. However, their costs have also grown. Through our discussion, they stated that their annual cost of being certified as an organic farm has doubled in the past five years. Other expenses like gas for their van to travel to and from the farmers’ markets have increased from around $10 per trip in 2021 to $25-30 per trip throughout this season. Additionally, they have also noticed increases in prices for services that are necessary for their business, such as vehicle maintenance fees and their accountant’s rates. However, they said that this all supports the local economy.

Ferme l’étincelle, which is a producer of vegetables as well as free-range chickens, noticed a large portion of their expenses this year going towards grain for feeding their animals. The price they pay for grain has increased around 30 per cent this year. Since this is one of the most significant costs they incur, they have had to start charging more for their chicken meat and eggs. As a result, they have noticed some consumers becoming less willing to pay these higher prices.

Les Hôtes Épinettes, an organic farm based in Cookshire, noticed that their fertilizer costs have gone up by 15 per cent this year. Since they use minimal fertilizer and are certified organic, this has not had a large impact on their expenses. The most significant cost is their employees, which make up around 50 per cent of all their farming expenses. They are happy that the farmers’ market brings in a source of income without intermediaries involved, which allows the farm to earn the most and provide great prices. This way both the farm and consumer benefit.

The Lennoxville Farmers’ Market is running each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Oct. 15 this season.