5 questions with the organizer of the “Eastern Ontario Garlic Market”, happening in Cornwall this Sunday, September 27th. -10am to 3pm at Lamoureux Park.

QUESTION #1 – What is this event and how did it come about?

The Eastern Ontario Garlic Festival has gone to the Market, and asks patrons to not stay home on Sunday, September 27, but come out to Lamoureux Park between 10am and 3pm and get their garlic to use in their roast beef and other delicious food as they prepare to stay home during these unusual times.

QUESTION #2 – What is this event in support of and does it reoccur every year?  

A $5 donation benefiting “Food for Thought” will be collected at the door. Food for thought has served over 75, 000 meals since the onset of the pandemic to food insecure living in shelters or other dwellings without kitchens. Many times the recipients of the meals are mothers and children awaiting housing. We do not know this, or really think about it, but while many of us had a warm safe place to be during the shutdown there were thousands of people in isolation with no resources to eat. Not being homeless, while not having a permanent address excluded great numbers of people from accessing food through Food Banks and Missions. This is where Food for Thought stepped and they continue to feed folks five days a week. Your $5 donation at the door will allow them to share one more meal, and take a bite out of hunger.

QUESTION #3 – How does this event make this community a better place?

Sharing food through organizations, such as FFT, to those who are hungry is the most basic need. 

These times have clearly had us all realize that although Canada is not a third world country we have testified that some of our resources for families, seniors and persons with special needs were falling short and even disastrous in some situations. 

With this coming to light  FFT and partners stepped up and have been helping such target groups. 

The immediate future is unpredictable, but we know for certain that people will continue to be in need of food. 

When we are each at home with all our resources knowing that our small contributions are feeding someone will be a good feeling, and allow FFT to keep feeding folks in need. 

QUESTION #4 – What is unique about this event?

The Eastern Ontario typically is brought together each year with volunteers who are from across diverse demographics. A planning committee is formed and everyone contributes their creativity, ideas, and resources. Kozroots Community Empowerment Projects is an inclusive organization and welcomes participation from all people wanting to lend a hand. This year however due to Covid 19 the organization worked solely to make the event become an essential service by becoming a market. KCEP also organized the event internally as it will not include all the extra activity. 

Normally we have a few stages for workshops, cooking demonstrations, and entertainment. We also have many hands-on activities and children’s areas over seen by a partner and group of volunteers.

This year as we all know is very different and so we will have live art and music on the stage for atmosphere and to entertain people in line as they wait to get in the venue.

The uniqueness of The Eastern Ontario Garlic Festival now a Market is that each year we have new partners and volunteers and each year they bring a new flavour or ingredient.

Collaboration has been a key element of success. From farmers growing corn and hosting a corn roast for the United Way, to the service providers (Baldwin House, Agape, Salvation Army) who have second hand stores all hosting a fashion show together one year, to Kemptville Live and local music producer Jamming Around Man sponsoring our musical talent, to the three local art associations to the area working together for the first time in 30 years on Art in Motion live art event in 2016. All sorts of leadership has helped the event grow by putting on workshops and contributing each in their own way.

To date we have had over 250 vendors featuring 100% local wares or food, over 10,000 patrons visit, and helped vendors and organizations raise $150,000 over the 5 years for a total of 35 hours. That is pretty impactful. Our motto is helping people and community grow  and we are happy to facilitate this again this year just in a different way by giving to Food for Thought, bringing non perishable food items to the event that will be donated to The Agape Centre for their Foodbank, and also come learn how you can support Maison Baldwin House who will be on site at the event.

QUESTION #5 – How can people participate or make this event a success?

1) Tell us you are Going on Facebook at The Eastern Ontario Garlic Market event.

2) Bring cash and remember there is a $5 required donation per adult at the door that will feed a food insecure person a full healthy meal. Larger donations are welcome.

3) Only come if you have intentions to purchase garlic and other products for artisans.

4) Help us maintain the protocol in line and in the event by practicing social distancing.

5) We are now following the new guidelines for gathering at outdoor events of 25 people at a time. We encourage households to not have the entire family enter the event when possible. ( this will be easy to manage and move quickly) 

6) We are selling children and adult cotton masks for $10.  Consider buying your masks form us  at the event or at protecteachother.ca Each masks sale feeds one person through Food for Thought work

7) Learn more about the cause at foodforthought.cafe

8) Follow us on Facebook for updates and to get familiar with the vendors and their products before the event. You can even contact the vendor to have your orders ready for pick up at the event.

9) Make a plan to go eat at Schnitzels for dinner or other restaurants in town that will be showcasing their garlicky menu items.

10) Come out and Explore Cornwall and the area for the weekend or day.  There is so much to discover.

WHAT IS THE CONTACT INFO FOR THIS EVENT?

  The Eastern Ontario Garlic Market on this coming Sunday, September 27th, 2020 from 10 am to 3 pm at Lamoureux Park – Email: eogarlicfest@gmail.com or visit Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/easternontariogarlicfestival for more info.