The team behind the Lunar Webb Vendor Market partnered with Brantford Food Bank during the Watermelon Summer night market on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
Throughout the run of the event, visitors popped in to browse and buy everything from jewellery and keychains to candles, artisanal soaps, crochet creations, hand drawn art and more.
The Lunar Webb Vendor Market, hosted by Veronica Webb and Joshua Wall, is held once a month and gives small businesses a dedicated place to sell their wares. While there are often new vendors popping up, many have become steady participants.
“I love how some of our more frequent vendors have become like family now,” said Webb. “We know each of them by name. Every time we host an event, it’s like, ‘Hey, Meaghan from Erie Dyes is here! We’re really happy to see you!’ or ‘Joanna from Earth Witch Apothecary, you’re always here and we love to see you!’ It’s just the best feeling.”
The monthly events not only support local vendors, but also bring awareness to a different local non-profit at each market. This month, the event supported the Brantford Food Bank, a program operated by Community Resource Service.
“Tonight is our seasonal summer market in support of the Brantford Food Bank,” said Wall. “It’s really an awareness campaign where we’re encouraging people to bring a non-perishable food item for the food bank, and they can also make cash donations here on site as well.”
When asked about giving back to the community, the organizers said it was at the heart of what the market was all about. The two credited the vendors, partners and attendees who help make it all possible.
“We wanted to not only raise awareness of non-profit organizations, but we wanted to raise awareness of small business owners and what they’re doing too. Altitude Coffee Roasters has donated their coffee to every market we’ve ever done and asks nothing in return,” said Wall. “Because people want to give back and they don’t want the coffee for free, they donate to our partners instead, and that has allowed us to raise thousands of dollars for different non-profits. And the same thing goes for our vendors. They do all sorts of giveaways and it’s honestly really rewarding.”
Justine Lemaich, Community Resource Service’s fundraising coordinator, said she was thrilled the food bank was part of the event.
“It’s so good to be at the Lunar Webb Vendor Market,” she said. “Not only do I get to come and meet a bunch of cool people on a Saturday night for my job, but I also get to collect food and monetary donations. Beyond that, we also raise awareness, share more about our services, reach out to people if they’re in need and be out in the community, it’s an awesome time.”
Lemaich explained that the Community Resource Service not only runs the Brantford Food Bank, but the Community Employment Service as well.
“We operate two main programs,” she said. “At the Brantford Food Bank, we provide a three to five day emergency supply of food to anyone in need, and we see about 3,000 people a month there. Then at the Community Employment Service, we help with anything career related, such as interview preparation, resume and cover letter writing, and even apprenticeship and training options. We do all kinds of different stuff.”
Thanks to the generosity of visitors, two full bins were filled to the top with non-perishable items.
“That’s what this is all about,” said Wall in a post to social media. “You shop local, you support your neighbours, and make sure nobody in this city goes without. Every time we open the doors, you show up bigger than the last.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
