Fernie, BC - Tuesday, June 19th, 2007: In 2006, the Mountain Market, as one of twenty eight British Columbia farmers markets, participated in a University of Northern British Columbia Economic and Community Impacts study of BC Farmers Markets. The results were impressive, showing that B.C.’s farmers’ markets contribute $118.5 million annually to the provincial economy,and reflected the increasing role of farmers markets in local food systems and their contributions to British Columbia’s communities.
If farmers markets were only about production, processing, and retailing then it is easy to assume that impacts refer only to economic value. However, people’s food choices incorporate other aspects of value related to community sustainability, cultural viability, and personal responsibility. This line of thinking is consistent with new movements for ‘food democracy,’ ‘slow food,’ and ‘sustainable agriculture.’ Through their food choices, local residents make a positive contribution to their community’s development. In this way, farmers markets have a direct impact on how communities produce, process, distribute, consume, and share food.
Over one hundred and seventy Mountain Market customers participated in the survey, that revealed that many market-goers looks for produce that is ‘in season’, ‘grown/produced locally’ and ‘grown/produced by someone known’.
As the Honourable Pat Bell, Minister of Agriculture and Lands, recently stated: “One of the benefits of farmers markets that receives little attention is what they do to bridge what I call the urban agricultural divide. By speaking directly with the people who grow and produce the food products, the consumer establishes connectivity with the source, and that’s something we need more of in a world where many youngsters think what they’re eating comes from the supermarket” (BC’s Agri-Food Update, November 2005).
Survey results also stated an the annual economic impact of additional spending at other neighboring businesses at over $244,000. This highlights the direct impact of Mountain Market customers on local businesses and the positive impact of the market on the community.“We are proud to play a role in helping Fernie access great tasting local produce and to highlight our community’s talented artisans ” said Mountain Market coordinator Sandra Dacosta.
To see more details on this survey and others visit http://www.unbc.ca/planning/localfood/, or come visit the Mountain Market on Sundays in Rotary Park from 10am till 2pm to experience the local organic growers selling fresh picked fruit, veggies, herbs and flowers; the herbalist's hand-crafted soaps and fragrances; the baker's tasty pies and homemade sourdough bread; and local artisans latest creations, for yourself.
Fernie's Mountain Market is a member of the British Columbia Association of Farmers Markets (www.bcfarmersmarket.org), and takes place every Sunday, from Canada Day to Labor Day weekend from 10am to 2pm in Rotary Park.
For more information please contact:
Sandra Dacosta or Dawn Deydey
Mountain Market Coordinators
Mountainmarket@fernie.com
or call 423-6674/7799.
