These days, more and more people are making the healthy decision to buy locally grown produce, meats, baked goods and crafts, from farmers' markets. A wonderful connection is made when you talk to the people who take pride in growing your food!

Once you visit our market, you’ll know why the Barrie Farmers' Market is such an extraordinary shopping and social experience.

The Barrie Farmers’ Market Awaits You

We are older than Canada!

The Barrie Farmers' Market was born April 24, 1846. A grant of land was awarded to the farmers of Simcoe District (now Simcoe County). The grant, on the letterhead of the Province of Canada, awarded three and one half acres in the shape of a parallelogram roughly centered at Collier and Mulcaster Streets.The grant stipulates that the land will be used for the express purpose of a Market House and for Market trading. In stronger language, it says, "and for no other use or purpose whatsoever."

The cornerstone for the original Market Square was laid in 1846. Says an account of the day "The cornerstone was laid and after some long speeches, the Royal Anthem was played. Then all went for refreshments at the Queen's Hotel."

Market Square suffered damage by fire in 1875, was rebuilt in 1877 and enlarged with a new wing. The Market Square building served a double purpose. The second floor was the seat of municipal government. The first floor was for the Farmers' Market. The site is marked today by a huge outline in the stylized shape of the building, bridging Mulcaster Street at Collier Street.

By the 1950s, Barrie was evolving from an agricultural community to a more diversified economic base. Manufacturing increased dramatically, as did the retail sector. The Town needed room to grow. And that included the downtown core. In 1952, Bill 27 came into effect. It nullified the Crown Land Grant and gave the Town of Barrie the right to do anything it wanted with the land. In exchange, the Town of Barrie took on the obligation to provide the Barrie Farmers’ Market with a building and place of operation. That's why the Barrie Farmers' Market is held on the premises of Barrie City Hall, both outside and inside the Rotunda. The Bill stipulates that if the agreement is no longer workable, that the City of Barrie must provide an acre of land and a Market House for the Barrie Farmers' Market.

This is the Market Square as it looked in the "grand old days". Not only were vendors set up inside, but some chose to sell off the back of their wagons.