INTRODUCTION
Out program is designed to support community markets that sell high quality, affordable fruits and vegetables. These markets bring healthy produce to neighbourhoods where it might not otherwise be available, and where farmers’ markets are not viable because sales are too low to cover costs.
These community markets feature seasonal, local produce plus imported favourites in order to offer the greatest quality and cultural value to the neighbourhoods they serve. Each market uniquely reflects its community and is a vibrant and important gathering place, providing opportunities for neighbourhoods to meet, share information and celebrate.
Successful community markets combine selling affordable produce and creating a gathering place that community members love coming back to. Running the market is work – and fun! That means lots of opportunities for volunteers and organizations to contribute to the market and make it a great meeting place.
Organizations and community groups have found many creative ways to do this, including: - Children’s activities (games, crafts)
- Music (by local school groups, seniors groups, buskers, choirs)
- Nail painting and hair braiding (local youth groups activity)
- Massage (area business charging for this as a vendor)
- Local vendors (selling clothing, prepared food items, etc)
- Dieticians and nutritionists doing food demos (local health centre)
Community markets offer affordable prices and high quality fruits and vegetables. It is important to recognize the incredible potential markets have for community-building, food security, and capacity building goals. However, they do not make a profit. Organizations and community groups have found many creative ways to address this that have added value to the community around them:
- Integrating left over produce into a community kitchen and/or food program which covers the cost of the fresh produce
- Integrating the fresh produce into a food bank, some of which may have a budget for fresh produce
- Adding other items to the market such as roasted corn, soups, etc. that help cover the loss of the produce AND add great flavours to the market.
These are just a few ideas. FoodShare can sit down with you to talk about building a great market.
Thank you for your interest in starting a community market in your community. We would like to hear about the goals you have for running a market so we can support you in attaining these goals. Before you start, we want to make sure you have what you need in place to run a community market successfully. Please fill out the application, as you are able -- all questions may not apply to your situation, for more information contact Mireya at mireya@foodshare.net or
416-363-6441 ext 223
