Chimnissing 100 Mile Market supports local vendors

August 30, 2013
Erin Chapelle of the Karma Project at the Christian Island pavilion where she partners with the community every Monday to operate the 'Chimnissing 100 Mile Market' - providing fresh food and produce for islanders. – Photo by Sharon Weatherall
Erin Chapelle of the Karma Project at the Christian Island pavilion where she partners with the community every Monday to operate the ‘Chimnissing 100 Mile Market’ – providing fresh food and produce for islanders. – Photo by Sharon Weatherall

By Sharon Weatherall

BEAUSOLEIL FN – Chimnissing residents are benefiting from fresh market goods without having to the leave the island.  For the second year in a row “The Karma Project” is supplying fresh produce, preserves, eggs and pantry staples on Christian Island, while inviting residents to become involved by selling their own products.

The “Chimnissing 100 Mile Market” is a partnership with Erin Chapelle founder of The Karma Project of Penetanguishene, that takes place at the island pavilion every Monday from 10:30 to 2:30 p.m. and so far, results have been very positive.

“It is a pleasure to be here and we have amazing sales – some people are actually doing their grocery shopping at the market each week,” said Chapelle.

“It’s nice for us to partner with island residents to supply fresh food. Our mission is to create Huronia into a food secure community and spread local foods as far as we can. The idea is for the Karma Project to partner with the community with what we can provide while encouraging residents to be a part of the sales.”

The Karma Project is part of the Huronia Food Trail which involves local producers across the area providing home grown healthy products within the community. It involves operation of an Ecology Garden located in Penetanguishene that allows Karma Project staff, food, and ideals to come together.  With 31 community plots rented out to local gardeners for the year and more than 20 beds that Karma manages for donation and social enterprise, the Garden is a huge piece of the local food puzzle.

Chapelle saw a need for the service on the remote island community and it is currently one of three local markets partnering with the Karma Project. The Chimnissing 100 Mile Market has not only become a weekly social place but Christian Island residents have participated by hosting a lunch snack booth and an information booth by the sexual health nurse.

“On Chimnissing we experience consistent gentle sales and it is one of our busiest markets.  I think it is convenient for the people who can shop here for food and do not have to take the ferry. It makes life easier and healthier for residents,” said Chapelle.

“We would like to partner with the people to set up a store here so they can bring their own products and sell them. There is a lot of potential here for us to partner with the community and encourage residents to sell their own products – for example I know there are maple trees being tapped here on the island.”

For more information about the Chimnissing 100 Mile Market/The Karma Marketplace call 705-549-5999 or email:  thekarmaprojectinc@gmail.com