Media Release - Town of Greater Napanee Signs Farmers Market Operating Agreement with the Lennox & Addington Chamber of Commerce

March 13, 2025

(GREATER NAPANEE, ON) – The Town of Greater Napanee signed a Farmers Market Operating Agreement with the Lennox & Addington Chamber of Commerce on March 11, 2025. 

On February 25, 2025, members of Town Council endorsed the signing of an Operating Agreement with the Lennox & Addington Chamber of Commerce that outlined the following items:

• Terms and conditions for the operation of a farmers market in the rear parking lot of Town Hall.
• Roles and responsibilities for the operation of the market, including what specific support the Town will provide towards the effort.
• Details of a lease agreement for the Chamber of Commerce to use 2.7% of the total space of Town Hall, specifically two small offices at the rear of the building on the first floor.

As part of the Town’s continued investment into Market Square, work will commence this year to repair the roof and stairs at Town Hall along with work on the interior of the building. Work on the front of the building and the creation of a suitable market space will take place in 2026.  

Terry Richardson, Mayor for the Town of Greater Napanee, expresses enthusiasm for the new agreement. Mayor Richardson states, “We at the Town of Greater Napanee are extremely excited with the re-introduction of a community Farmers Market in the Market Square area of Downtown Napanee. This Market is a result of a new agreement the Town has entered into with the Lennox & Addington Chamber of Commerce, who will be administering and managing the market. We are confident this venture will complement and enhance an already successful downtown area and look forward to bringing Market Square back to its original glory.”

Ken Shurtliffe, President of the Lennox & Addington Chamber of Commerce, shares information about next steps in bringing back a farmers market. Shurtliffe states, “Now that we have passed the signing stage we will be moving ahead with the market planning committee. We are looking to begin the market in June of this year. We will be reaching out to our local Agricultural and Artisan organizations with a survey about the market and for some input in how they feel it could look, as well as a survey out to the community in regard to what they would like to see at the market. These surveys will be very important to the success of the market. Once we are ready to send these out, we will be letting everyone know.”

Media Contact: 

Kylie Huffman  

Community Engagement & Communications Coordinator  

Town of Greater Napanee 

T: 613-776-1116 

E: khuffman@greaternapanee.com  

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