CityPlace Farmers Market at Canoe Landing Park?

Proposal to place permanent market following two successful test runs and locals like the idea

By Dennis Hanagan –

St. Lawrence Market’s Saturday farmers market

This winter CityPlace residents and Farmers’ Markets Ontario will discuss setting up a permanent Farmers Market at Canoe Landing Park after two successful test-runs this fall.

“The farmers have been very positive about it. As long as people are shopping the farmers are happy,” says Market Supervisor Diana Gonzalez.

The first market was held Sept. 24 and the second — at the farmers’ request — on Oct. 22 with an estimated 800 shoppers at each. For sale were conventional and organic produce, including fruits and vegetables, honey and maple syrup, artisanal cheese, meats, eggs, pies, tarts, and apple cider.

The Bulletin surveyed a few shoppers for their views. “It’s really nice,” said Joni Daniels from King and Bathurst. “It’s a great location.” But she’d like to see more vendors and dishes like tofu stew for vegetarians.

Wendy Fisher of Queen’s Quay and Bathurst called it “fabulous. I support it completely.” She’d rather shop at outdoor markets than at big grocery stores. “If there’s an option I’ll come here first.” She’d like to see guest chefs offering samples, and specialty pet foods.

Dean Maher, president of CityPlace Residents’ Association, said work began in 2010 to get a market started. The association wanted something that would bring the community together in an open space.

“One pleasant surprise we’ve all noticed —the residents association and Farmers’ Markets Ontario — is the number of families that are coming here,” says Maher.

“When you hear about downtown condo neighbourhoods where they’re not a lot of families … the majority of what we’ve seen at the market is families and a lot of kids.”

Concord Adex gave the association money to buy Halloween pumpkins, carving kits and no-flame lights for kids to pick up free at the second market. For young parents “it will be their first time carving a pumpkin with their children,” says Maher.

The test markets drew 10 vendors, some as far away Beamsville, Holland Marsh and Markdale near Owen Sound. They started arriving at 1 p.m. to set up and sell from 3 to 7 p.m.

“The farmers were really pleased right off the bat,” says Gonzalez. Chris Pereira, CPRA vice-president of neighbourhod development, found shoppers were “largely positive. A lot of people are looking forward to a permanent market.”

Gosh Laczmanska of CityPlace said the market “has to stay. I believe in supporting local farmers. We need to support our economy” rather than buying U.S. produce.

Paulina Brozyna of CityPlace said Kensington and the St. Lawrence neighbourhoods have markets “but there’s nothing at this end.” The CityPlace market, she said, “fills a gap.”