Farmers’ Markets and Food Security: Why Local Access Matters

At the Horton Farmers’ Market, we often talk about fresh strawberries, homemade jams, and that first crisp bunch of asparagus as signs that the season is in full swing. But behind every bundle of rhubarb and every handshake at the farm stand, there’s a deeper story—one rooted in community care, food access, and resilience.
Farmers’ markets like ours are more than just a weekend destination—they’re part of a broader movement toward food security. While we celebrate local harvests and familiar faces, we’re also helping to create a food system that’s more equitable, more transparent, and more connected to the people it serves.
We took a closer look at how farmers’ markets contribute to tackling food insecurity, and why local food systems matter more than ever. Whether you come for the produce or the people, every visit supports a stronger, more equitable future for our community.

Food security means having consistent physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food, a definition that is recognized by the United Nations FAO and Canada’s office of the Auditor General. In Canada, food insecurity is deeply connected to income, geographic isolation and barriers to transportation. PROOF, an interdisciplinary research initiative on policy interventions to reduce food insecurity, indicates that 1 in 7 Canadian households face food insecurity.
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In Ontario, specific legislative efforts such as the Local Food Act of 2013, addresses these growing concerns by promoting local food consumption and availability. Farmers markets, such as those thriving in Elgin County, provide critical access points to fresh produce and local goods, directly reinforcing community resilience through shorter, more transparent supply chains that sustain local economies and ecosystems. 

​Statistics Canada's 2021 Canadian Income Survey revealed food insecurity has risen nationally, affecting 18% of Canadian families. The survey highlights that while poverty remains a significant contributor, 78% of food insecure families lived above the poverty line. This suggests that food insecurity is also shaped by broader systemic inequities, including wage precarity, gender wage gaps, housing instability, and racial discrimination, which are evident in rural regions like Elgin County (Statistics Canada, 2023)

Research from Dalhousie University (Stephens et al., 2024) emphasizes how farmers markets have uniquely shielded consumers from severe food price inflation compared to mainstream grocery chains. Between 2018 and 2023, prices at farmers markets across Canada rose significantly less compared to supermarkets. A trend consistent even amid global disruptions caused by COVID-19. This resilience is attributed to local vendors commitment to community welfare, often absorbing input cost increases to maintain fair pricing for their neighbors.
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Dalhousie researchers identified that Canada's major grocery retailers, notably Loblaws, Sobeys and Metro, recorded unprecedented profits, $6 billion collectively in 2022, while consumers grappled with rapidly rising food costs. Termed “greedflation,” This phenomenon reflects how corporations may increase prices beyond cost justifications, intensifying food insecurity during periods of economic stress (Stephens et al., 2024). While some argue these profits support logistical investments, critics suggest they come at the expense of affordability for Canadian families. 

In contrast, local food systems demonstrated adaptability and responsiveness according to Thilmany et al. (2020), local and regional food systems (LRFS) exhibited significant resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, swiftly pivoting to meet community needs through flexible market adjustments and leveraging strong social networks. This adaptability stems from the close trust-based relationships between local producers and consumers, facilitating direct and compassionate communication, which is nearly absent in highly concentrated corporate food retail.
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Local food systems also offer notable climate resilience. Diversification of food sources and shorter supply chains as found in local markets, significantly reduce vulnerability to climate-induced disruptions. According to recent studies in climate impacts and food security (Coughlin et al., 2022), shorter and diversified supply chains mitigate risks associated with extreme weather events, crop failures, and global supply chain disruptions, fostering sustainable local ecosystems and economies. 

In Elgin County specifically, several initiatives support the shift towards food security through local access. The Horton Farmers Market in St. Thomas, operating since 1878, serves as a central access point for fresh local food, among many other local markets in the surrounding area. The Food for All (FFA) committee connects stakeholders to identify service gaps and promote collaboration, guided by the Elgin St. Thomas Food Charter. Additionally, Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) tracks food affordability and found that 19.2% of households in the region were food insecure between 2021-2022, mirroring national trends and highlighting local challenges (SWPH, 2023).
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Their research shows that working households, single parents, and individuals reliant on social assistance are disproportionately food insecure. The Nutritious Food Basket survey conducted by SWPH estimated that a healthy diet for a family of four in the region costs roughly $1184/month, not including other necessities like rent, transportation or personal care products, making it clear that income, not food supply, is the barrier (SWPH, 2023).

Ultimately, local access through farmers markets matters because it makes food more affordable, strengthens community bonds, and increases resilience in the face of climate and economic instability. These markets provide sustainable alternatives to corporate dominated food systems, promote fairness, and ensure more equitable food distribution. Supporting local farmers is one of the most effective ways to build a healthier, more just, and resilient food future.

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Jacob Wilcox, EDC Summer Student

Jacob is a St. Thomas-born, Wallacetown-raised artist and writer who recently completed a BA in Visual Art at York University. An avid Elgin County enthusiast, he has a deep appreciation for local businesses, rural life, community connections, and grassroots initiatives. From a young age, Jacob has been involved in local theatre--most notably Dutton’s community theatre, WEDS. As a practicing artist, he blends photography, writing, and illustration in both his personal work and marketing initiatives, with a focus on visual storytelling and brand identity. He is drawn to the beauty in the mundane, finds art in everyday life, and hopes to carry that perspective into a future career in community stewardship and education.  ​

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Statistics Canada. (2023). Household food insecurity, 2021. Government of Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2023001/article/00013-eng.htm
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PROOF. (2023). Household food insecurity in Canada, 2022. https://proof.utoronto.ca/

Stephens, A., et al. (2024). Exploring price changes in local food systems compared to mainstream grocery retail in Canada during an era of ‘greedflation’. Food Policy, 122, 102566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2024.102566

Thilmany, D., et al. (2020). Local food supply chain dynamics and resilience during COVID-19. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 43(1), 86-104. https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13121

Coughlin, C. A., et al. (2022). The impact of climate change on food systems, diet quality,  nutrition, and health outcomes: A narrative review. Frontiers in Climate, 4,941842. https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2022.941842

Southwestern Public Health. (2023). Addressing food insecurity and poverty in Oxford County,  Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas. https://www.swpublichealth.ca
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Poverty Coalition. (n.d.). Food security – Food for All Committee. https://povertycoalition.ca/food-security/