Cobden’s Taste of the Valley greets thousands

WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — For over a decade, the increasingly popular event Taste of the Valley (TOV) has drawn thousands of people to the small community of Cobden. On Saturday, October 19 the event was hosted at the Cobden Fair Grounds and again, drew thousands of people.

Merging with the weekly Cobden Farmer’s Market to mark the last Saturday of the market season, businesses and organizations throughout Whitewater Region gathered to set up their tables and enjoy the day. 

The majority of vendors were food related, with the largest line all day being for the Cobden Civitan Club’s bacon on a bun. A local young lady, 15 year old Mary Finan, has been a Cobden market vendor every Saturday and a TOV vendor for the last two years. She sells healthy dog treats and cinnamon buns made with her family’s own maple syrup, which is carried at their maple store at Grants Settlement Farms. Most weekends, which included TOV, saw her sell out of product. 

Her grandmother, Margaret Maloney, has been her driver and helper for the past two summers. “During these two summers, I have found myself [to be] a part of this group of vendors who are committed to producing homegrown food and crafts,” said Mrs. Maloney. She added they enjoy spending their time with, what she calls, a diverse and committed group of people.

TOV is made possible by local producers, individual volunteers and organizations, and David Wybou, Business Development Officer with the County of Renfrew. He said these entrepreneurs are a very important part of our local economy and added TOV is a critical vehicle for their businesses.

Some businesses and organizations from Whitewater Region in attendance were Little Creek Pottery, Grants Settlement Farms, Whitewater Honey Co., Big Bend Pottery, Whitewater Brewing Company, Little Trickle Farm, Heather’s Hearth, Whitewater Region Public Library, Buttermilk Creek Farm, the Muskrat Watershed Council, the Cobden Civitan Club, the Beachburg Lions Club and St. Andrew’s United Church from Beachburg. Councillors from the Township of Whitewater Region were in attendance, as well as Reeve Cathy Regier and Mayor Mike Moore. 

The original concept for TOV was to promote and support local food producers in the Ottawa Valley. The events have evolved over the years and now focus on taste as a celebration of local food, art, culture and products. They are a unique showcase for introducing people to the variety of rural communities within the Valley.