‘A long sad night’: Iconic farmers’ market in N.B. burns to the ground

The iconic Green Pig Country Market in Salisbury, N.B. burned down on Monday night as dozens of firefighters rushed to the scene of the massive blaze.

The iconic Green Pig Country Market in Salisbury, N.B. burned down to the ground on Monday night.

Located just outside of Moncton, the market has been a part of many families’ traditions, from its staple sunflower festival to classic fall activities.

Salisbury Mayor Robert Campbell said the community is devastated by the fire.

“Over the years, it’s become part of the social fabric of the community,” he said in an interview Tuesday. “They are one of the economic backbones of this community.”

The Green Pig Country Market has been a part of the community for more than 15 years, Campbell said, and has expanded and developed the business over time. In recent years, it added a café and a corn maze. The market is also home to the New Brunswick Sunflower Festival – which returned for the first time this summer since the pandemic began

But for Campbell, it’s more than a country market; the Beckwiths, the owners, are always giving back to the community, he said.

The market’s Facebook page routinely advertises for discounts when customers bring donations for the local food bank. “From a food safety perspective, the Green Pig provides an enormous service to the region to provide not only food, but affordable food, to our families,” Campbell said.

As of now, the fire remains under investigation, according to Campbell. He said they are going to work with the owners to see what can be done to help them with the current crop ready for harvest.