Launch Pad Youth Activity and Technology Centre (Launch Pad) in Hanover is taking its first step in adding entrepreneurialism to its wide range of skill development opportunities for youth in Grey-Bruce.  Beginning June 2nd, Launch Pad will be a vendor at the Hanover Eat Well Farmers Market. Youth will be selling items they have created themselves or as a group from the Launch Pad kitchen utilizing in season fruits and vegetables. 

The first line of items featured at the market will include Hanover’s very own Sage Martin, a 14-year old boy who has created a business called The Cookie Crew baking and selling cookies to his friends, family, and Ashanti’s Café in Hanover.  Sage is ready to take his business to another level and Eat Well Market is his opportunity!

Another item that will be sold is Maclean’s Ales Inc. BBQ Sauce, made at the Launch Pad kitchen. This BBQ sauce comes in two different flavours, regular and heat.  The Launch Pad booth will also be selling strawberry jam as Launch Pad’s new partner Morrison Berries Country Market is offering an endless supply of strawberries and sharing their family recipe!

The youth will oversee their own scheduling and making sure that their products are ready to be sold every week.  Launch Pad will be their guide but this is a youth initiative allowing them to create, sell, and keep their own profits.  

“No matter how big or how small we start, youth participating in this initiative will be learning entrepreneurial and employability skills including cost of goods sold and pricing, managing inventory and money, along with customer service skills” explains Emily Morrison, Executive Director at Launch Pad.  “I believe that we will be starting out small however; once we are up and running, youth will be able to see other youth creating, selling, and making money and I believe that will generate more items selling at the Launch Pad booth.”

The Hanover Eat Well Farmers Market runs from June 2nd to October 27th, Saturday’s 9am to 1pm at the Hanover Heritage Square, 342 10th Street Hanover.