Strengthening and Protecting Farmers' Markets
Lockdown and the Covid pandemic have made all of us more aware of how important food is. As a result, farmers’ markets have grown in popularity. Sales increased between 10 and 30% in Melbourne, Australia, despite the lack of tourists and browsers. Instead, the focus was on local people coming to do their weekly shop. Similar trends have been noticed by Saskatoon Farmers’ Market Co-operative (SFMC) farmers and producers. If we want a secure food supply, we need to support our local farmers and producers. And the best way to do that is through a farmers’ market, a self-supporting group of farmers and producers who share a similar interest in working with their hands, providing their community with food, and interacting directly with their customers.
There are other benefits to a farmers’ market. Money spent at a farmers’ market supports the local economy and remains in the community, unlike money spent at a supermarket owned by a multinational conglomerate. In addition, farmers’ markets, due to their flexible structure, can respond quickly to changing circumstances. Take for example the SFMC that had an online market up and running within two weeks’ 36 hours of lockdown shutting down the in-person market. Individual farmers have greater flexibility too. They can change crops, down to one row of vegetables at a time.
Farmers’ markets play a critical role in nourishing and supporting small farmers, many of whom because of size and level of experience cannot meet the requirements of scale and consistency that supermarkets demand. Markets also play a key role in fostering and mentoring the next generation. Long-time farmers, such as Wally Satzewich, generously share their knowledge about crops, preparation, and presentation through a wealth of information about SPIN farming. In Swift Current, Sarah Galvin (Foodcraft by Sarah) willingly shares her knowledge of how to set up a successful baking business. The Saskatoon Farmers’ Market Cooperative partners with the Saskatoon Open Door Society to assist immigrant entrepreneurs get their foot in the door.
Despite their strengths and successes, farmers’ market vendors face huge challenges. Unfortunately, Saskatchewan farmers’ markets lack municipal support. The City of Saskatoon had one interest and one interest only in leasing a downtown location to the SFMC. They wanted feet on the ground, six days a week. They refused to understand that farmers’ markets cannot function on that basis and failed to appreciate the importance of supporting and strengthening the local food economy. The City of Swift Current shut down its farmers’ market at noon on a Friday without prior notification of vendors, leaving farmers/producers with pies already baked, peas picked, and trucks already loaded with produce for the Saturday market. While the City went ahead with other community events, farmers were left to fend for themselves, setting up mini markets in parking lots and doing their best to notify their loyal customers.
Finding a balance between individual and group interests must be one of the most important – and most difficult – challenges for any farmers’ market. How can individual vendors maintain a successful private enterprise while also responding to the needs and interests of the co-operative as a whole?
There are key vendors at every farmers’ market who have over time developed a reputation for quality products. They anchor the market, drawing customers in and thereby introducing them to a wider range of farmers and producers who are just getting started on their careers. We owe market anchors a huge vote of thanks. People like Pat and Fred Gittings of Grandora Gardens and the Simpkins family (Simpkins Market Garden) are at the very heart of the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market Co-operative.
I am concerned about the proliferation of small stores and local businesses that are encouraging local farmers to sell produce through their storefront. This completely negates the value of meeting with your local farmer and developing a personal awareness of the back story behind the food we rely on to support life. While they may diversify individual farmers’ revenue streams, I believe alternate access points weaken the farmers’ market as a whole, endangering its long-term sustainability and ability to speak out for and mentor local farmers.
Farmers’ markets have alternative methods of diversifying and strengthening farmers’ revenue streams. An important one is pop-up markets in local neighbourhoods. The SFMC used to operate pop-up markets in various neighbourhoods, but the City forced them to shut these markets down when SFMC started using the downtown site – again, the City didn’t support local food security; they just wanted feet on the street. The Community Farmers’ Market was established to fill the vacuum and is now competing with the SFMC. How unfortunate!
I’m delighted that SFMC has started offering a pop-up market in Stonebridge, providing more options for both farmers and consumers while working together as a united group. I believe they have plans to operate more in future.
The virtual farmers’ market is a valuable addition to SFMC’s repertoire with the potential to increase farmers’ and producers’ revenue streams. I believe there is an untapped audience of people who are older, busier, don’t drive, disabled who appreciate a virtual farmers’ market. I have certainly appreciated it this summer when I was unable to attend the market in person due to back problems. The SFMC has an opportunity to grow its customer base while also supporting all segments of its community through its virtual market. I hope more vendors will step up and accept responsibility for participating.
The Saskatoon Farmers’ Market Co-operative is looking for our help to make its new home more accessible and to meet the health and safety requirements of the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Booth divider partitions will allow the market to safely house all its vendors indoors this winter, but they don’t come cheap. Each booth partition costs between $500 and $800. I plan to make a donation and I hope you will too. Saskatoon is fortunate to have a nationally renowned, year-round farmers’ market – let’s not lose it.
Photo credits: last 3 photos are from the SFMC Facebook page
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