Vendors and consumers alike are happy to see the annual farmers’ market back in the Garrison Village — this year, with a new incentive to support local businesses.

Movements like #shoplocal are rising in popularity in response to American tariffs, encouraging Canadians to get items like produce from local farms instead of large corporations.

The farmers’ market opened for the season on Saturday, and some of its vendors who run Niagara-based businesses are noticing a trend of customers wanting to keep their dollars in the community.

Sillastial Farms’ Jennifer Johnston said she has already seen an increase in customers looking specifically for local alternatives to get their groceries. 

She noted how hopeful it is to see Canadians build community even in challenging times.

“Canadians have a really good way of coming together,” Johnston said.

The Sillastial Farms stand sells a range of produce, including vegetables, herbs and pickled greens.

Two hours into her second year at the farmers’ market, Johnston said that from the first day back, even with gloomy weather, she can tell the community is eager to shop local.

Other returning vendors, like the team behind Sweets and Swirls Cafe, said they’re excited to connect with the community through the market.

On the opening day, vendor James Cadeau and his daughter, Sophie, sold baked goods, coffee and breakfast sandwiches — the coffee and sandwiches being especially popular in the early hours of the market.

Sweets and Swirls’ patrons aren’t just from within the Niagara region, Cadeau said — he’s thankful to have customers from the U.S. who return every time they visit Niagara-on-the-Lake. 

In upcoming months, he said the business hopes to keep seeing international customers return.

Niagara’s in a lucky position when it comes to shopping local, as the region has easy access to agriculture, Cadeau said, making it easier for customers to find lower prices for local goods.

NOTL’s community in particular, Cadeau said, is full of joy, making the 20-week run of the Garrison Village market an anticipatory time of year.

The Good Ground, another farm returning to the farmers’ market, is based in Lincoln, Ont. Mike Hutten, Good Ground owner, said he hasn’t felt a big impact from tariffs on business costs because their operations are kept local.

But, with the rise of the #shoplocal trend, Hutten said he is hopeful it will translate to an increase in sales.

While it’s too early in the farming season to make conclusions about sales trends, he said Good Ground will “always champion shopping local” and is happy to see the increase of consumers opting for that choice.

At its market stand, the farm is selling items like brussels sprouts, kale and broccoli, with more likely to come as more crops open up.

The Village farmers’ market runs every Saturday throughout the summer and into the fall. In upcoming weeks, more vendors are expected to open up shop, especially once the farming season takes off.