Crystal Beach market offers produce at prices not seen in a long time

More than 50 people took advantage of an opportunity to buy groceries at a price far less than what is currently on the shelves of grocery stores.

This took place Thursday at Crystal Ridge Community Church on Elmwood Avenue, a market hosted by non-profit organization Advancing Crystal Beach (ACB).

From December to February, significantly marked down food items, mostly produce, are sold to customers who get to the church on time before it sells out.

There are two events each month from April to November.

The food is purchased as volunteers “shrewdly” shop and scour flyers at grocery stores in Fort Erie and other parts of the region, said Don West, one of the people who helps buy the food that is sold at the markets.

West said a key demographic that is being affected is the “working poor,” and that greater efforts are being made to connect with them.

Ontario Works is also collaborating with ACB to help promote the markets, said ACB co-chair Scott Boumeester, who also noted that many customers come from nearby Eastwood Manor.

The markets are also made possible through a grant from United Way Niagara, explained Boumeester.

The group’s roots began in 2015 in an effort to celebrate and improve Crystal Beach, which has become a thriving area with many retail and commercial options.

Boumeester said the people who dedicate their time to the organization are its lifeblood.

“Without them, we couldn’t do it,” he told Fort Erie Radio.

“What makes it so easy is that we have fantastic volunteers,” he said.

Thursday’s event started at 10 a.m. and almost everything was quickly sold out.

Boumeester said people aren’t “looking for a handout,” but that they are very appreciative of the reduced prices, which are about 20 per cent less than what is paid in a supermarket.

Amanda Theobold was buying about a dozen potatoes for $1.75, which volunteers had purchased in large bags and then divided into smaller parcels.

In the summer months, she grows most of her produce at home.

“It’s very nice to have this opportunity,” she said.

“With four kids, it gets expensive,” she added about the price of food in stores.

Boumeester also said ACB is “super thankful” for the church and pastor Frank Kiss who provided the space free of charge.

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