THUNDER BAY -- Jeff Burke hopes to meet some new customers this summer.
The owner of Brule Creek Farms will be set up at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre's Fresh Market every Wednesday in the cafeteria courtyard for the next few months.
Brule Creek produces wheat, rye and buckwheat and sells the flour and baking mixes for items like pizza, muffins and scones.
"We come here because it's some new customers that maybe don't see us at the Country Market or don't visit the Country Market," said Burke.
"It's a way for us to get our products out there and also come to their workplace."
Burke said he and other vendors also hope to educate customers on the variety of local products available.
The market includes about eight local vendors that include Belluz Farms, Mile Hill Farms, Veg-e-tate Market Garden and Kuchta Honey along with Brule Creek.
While Wednesday's first market day of the year only had about three vendors, the hospital's acting director of prevention and screening services Kelly-Jo Gillis said that's due to the slow start to the growing season this year.
"Over the course of the next few months, you'll see more and more products become available as the growing season allows," she said.
Gillis said this is the third year for the market and the goal is to provide healthy local foods to hospital staff, patients, visitors, volunteers and the public.
"To provide accessible foods on site here so it's nice and easy for people to get the goods while they're at work on on their way home," she said.
Last year 2,700 people came through the market, which also makes healthy eating resources like Canada's Food Guide available.
The market runs every Wednesday until Oct. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
