Sharing the byword - July 8
Announcements:
Introducing Sunday Socials:
Starting this week, Marchés d'Ottawa Markets is expanding our Sunday offerings to give market-goers a new reason to get out and explore the city. A larger vendor list means more fun finds and more opportunities to #SupportLocal.
Meet your neighbours! Explore your hood!
Get social at your Ottawa Markets this weekend.
Neighbourhood News:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits the Parkdale Market with his family:
What is a public market? A place for everyone!
From the Prime Minister to the every day shopper.
Busking is back in ByWard:
Busking returned this week in our beloved ByWard Market!
Floor decals have been laid down in 8 different zones where performers may entertain for up to an hour at a time.
Marchés d'Ottawa Markets has made the decision to wave all fees for all performers. We encourage all to apply for a license and begin performing.
Happy busking!
Marchés d'Ottawa Markets is dedicated to ensuring the highest level of safety for our community members during our market season.
Get the latest case data and updates, learn how to protect yourself and others and get advice on what to do next if you think you might have COVID-19.
Pop In At Parkdale
THE PARKDALE NIGHT MARKET EXPANDS!
Wednesdays, June to August, 4PM - 8PM.
Residents of Wellington-West and visitors are showing support for everything local.
Due to popular demand, we've closed down Armstrong Street next to Parkdale Park to create more space for the many vendors at our Parkdale Night Market.
Be a part of the fun - See you Wednesday!
The offerings at the Parkdale Market continue to expand!
Head to the Parkdale Market to check out what's new in stock.
9am-5pm everyday!
Community Spotlight:
As part of our Community Spotlight, we chatted with owner, operator, and miller at Almanac Grain, Gabrielle Prud'homme.
Find Almanac Grain at our York Street Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings from 9am-2pm and at the Parkdale Night Market on Wednesday evenings from 4pm-8pm!
We asked Gabrielle the following questions:
When did you start your business/operation?
We started our business about three years ago. We began by sourcing certified organic, Canadian-grown heritage grain and selling freshly-milled flour. Today we operate our own mill in Ottawa’s East End and we’ve launched a bakery focused on sourdough bread and baking, using exclusively heritage flour milled on our own stone mill. It feels very satisfying to see our customers experience the whole process, from grain to bread in their hands.
How did you learn? Who taught you?
I'm very lucky to be able to learn from my partner Josh, who owns Dominion City. I've been able to watch his business grow and be a part of the process. Apart from that, I think it comes down to passion and sheer stubbornness. I really believed in this idea, even though it was all new to me and so I made it happen. It's definitely been hard as milling isn't really something you can take a class for online but if you're all in, you make it happen. Plus there are loads of local woman owned businesses that I am very fortunate to be friends with who keep me going when things get a little rocky.
What do you currently specialize in making?
Almanac specializes in freshly stone milled flours, mostly heritage grains and sourdough baking. We're super passionate about better food for more people. We want to enable a return to the idea that flour can be the feature ingredient in something and not just a bag of white stuff you add gorgeous local strawberries to. It's fresh and alive. Our bakery helps us convince people of that.
What’s the one thing that’s surprised you the most about your industry?
When we started this business, it was shocking to see how few millers were left. The idea of bringing a mill back to the community became even more important after that. It's been dying out for ages and needs to be revived. Having access to a mill means fresh flour and fresh bread for people. For farmers, it means having a place to sell the kind of agriculture that’s sustained us for millenia. To us, bread means community and what's more important than that?
What’s been your proudest moment as a business owner?
It's hard to pin down one proudest moment. When you're a small business owner, lots of days feel like you're climbing uphill. I find if you take pride in the small wins it makes it all worth it. If I get a really good mill on a new grain or if one of my new staff bakes their first batch of kickass sourdough bread, it's really exciting. Having repeat customers is also one of the best feelings. Those are the proudest moments.
What advice would you give to someone starting out?
My advice to anyone starting their own business is get yourself a good support system. You're going to need some shoulders to cry on and people to bounce things off of. That and just keep believing in what you're doing. If you don't lose sight of why you started it, that can keep you going for the long haul.
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Catch Almanac Grain at our York Street Farmers' and Parkdale Night Markets!
For more information, or to speak with a representative of Marchés d'Ottawa Markets, please contact:
Zackery Liberty, Communications and Events Coordinator, Ottawa Markets, zackery.liberty@ottawamarkets.ca
