new farmers market possible on McLeod near Heritage

[urban1]

I like the location and I like the concept of going back to what a farmers market was intended to be.



http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/Ri...138/story.html

A new farmers' market billed as an authentic venue where vendors "make it, bake it or grow it" themselves could emerge in Calgary this summer.
Two people, Tim Hoven, who produces certified organic beef, and Gert Lund, of Lund's Organic Farms, are backing a bid to create a new market designed to support local producers.

Lund said the new market has adopted a unique business model geared toward supporting small producers.
Vendors would be required to pay some fees, but it would be "a lot more affordable," than the Calgary Farmers' Market proposal, according to Lund, who wouldn't reveal costs.
The new market, he said, will be somewhat choosy over its vendors, targeting only those who produce their own products.
"We're going to go with small businesses. Anything else has no need to apply."

Another article in Fast Forward:
http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/ne...l-market-5313/

Several farmers and vendors from the Calgary Farmers’ Market have banded together to create a new market in the city’s southwest — with a focus to support local producers, rather than retail middlemen.
“Farmers’ markets were originally created for the little producer to cut the middlemen out and sell directly to the consumer and make a small living,” says Gert Lund, who owns Lund Organic Farms and is instrumental in the startup. “Somehow it has strayed from that and we’d like to go back to that.”

Lets hope it goes ahead and is open on schedule.

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Sweet! Make it happen!

[Shazam]

Although I fataing love Hoven Farms meat (they sell super high quality Korean-cut short ribs) and Lund's stuff, I wonder what they'll sell in winter - parsnips, potatoes and apples?

[Ducay]

I just can't see this taking off in that location; its pretty much the most awkwardly placed plot of land over.

[onetwo_threefour]

Hah.. This would make 4 major Farmer's markets in the City within a 10 minute drive of my house once the Calgary Farmer's Market Moves to a Blackfoot location. Me likey, but perhaps not the best idea to put them in one area of the City.

The one discussed would actually be within walking distance if I didn't want to buy too much.

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C-Train

[troutman]

Yikes - I avoid Macleod Trail on the weekend like the plague.

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Although I fataing love Hoven Farms meat (they sell super high quality Korean-cut short ribs) and Lund's stuff, I wonder what they'll sell in winter - parsnips, potatoes and apples?

I am pretty sure the Hoven meats could be sold in the winter.

Tim is an excellent guy, and I wish him well.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

I am pretty sure the Hoven meats could be sold in the winter.

Tim is an excellent guy, and I wish him well.

Point being, if they want to stay "local", they're extremely limited in what they can sell in winter.

Most people don't even realize that oranges can't be grown here.

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Point being, if they want to stay "local", they're extremely limited in what they can sell in winter.

Most people don't even realize that oranges can't be grown here.

Jams, jellies, fruit syrups, fruit wines, cheese, pies, poultry, beef, pork, venesin, crafts, frozen pasta, pasta sauces, bread and bakery products...

There are lots of things that can be sold, that are made locally in the winter.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

Jams, jellies, fruit syrups, fruit wines, cheese, pies, poultry, beef, pork, venesin, crafts, frozen pasta, pasta sauces, bread and bakery products...

There are lots of things that can be sold, that are made locally in the winter.

This was the same strategy that CFM once had.

It didn't work. Look at the massive amount of imported fresh stuff the vendors there have now.

People want fresh. Not jarred, not processed. People compare the farmer's market to a grocery store. They want one stop shopping. Most people don't realize that the grapes came from Chile. They don't even know that grapes are impossible to grow here.

Hey, it's great that they want to start another market. We'll see what happens.

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by Shazam

This was the same strategy that CFM once had.

It didn't work. Look at the massive amount of imported fresh stuff the vendors there have now.

People want fresh. Not jarred, not processed. People compare the farmer's market to a grocery store. They want one stop shopping. Most people don't realize that the grapes came from Chile. They don't even know that grapes are impossible to grow here.

Hey, it's great that they want to start another market. We'll see what happens.

People go to farmer's markets to buy a lot more than just fresh fruit.

I don't think people who go to a farmer's market expect that they won't need to go to a grocery store as well. Farmers markets don't sell garbabe bags, or dishwashing soap, or ketchup, or a whole bunch of products.

[Knalus]

Originally Posted by Ducay

I just can't see this taking off in that location; its pretty much the most awkwardly placed plot of land over.

And the old location at the Barracks, that was a prime location that was so easy to get to, with no issues with parking in a muddy back lot having to wind your way through a maze of buildings at all. Besides, that market used to get alot of traffic from people just passing by...


Your point about the piece of land being awkward is valid, but considering the wasteland that the old farmers market thrived in, this location shouldn't be much of an issue.

[Ren]

nm

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Knalus

And the old location at the Barracks, that was a prime location that was so easy to get to, with no issues with parking in a muddy back lot having to wind your way through a maze of buildings at all. Besides, that market used to get alot of traffic from people just passing by...


Your point about the piece of land being awkward is valid, but considering the wasteland that the old farmers market thrived in, this location shouldn't be much of an issue.

The access at the old Stampede car lot is horrendous. You have like a awkward one way entrance off of Mcload, then to get out you have to go around and get stuck at a sideways intersection that somehow connects to Mcload.

Think of all the yuppy fender benders.

[Bunk]

Part of what makes farmers markets great is the atmosphere and experience of it in and around the venue. Putting them on Macleod or in an industrial area like the CFM isn't exactly inspiring. I guess the parking is free and abundant.

I really wish we could develop a public market near downtown - something like Granville, By-ward or St. Lawrence. Stampede would be an ideal location in my mind and the agricultural component fits with Stampede's image and mission. Still has parking, has LRT access, can tie into the main street area they're trying to develop on 4th street SE and creates a bit of an urbane atmosphere. Mewata Armoury spilling out into Millennium Park in the summer would be another great location. A downtown location would also give it a chance to become a bona fide tourist attraction.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

People go to farmer's markets to buy a lot more than just fresh fruit.

I don't think people who go to a farmer's market expect that they won't need to go to a grocery store as well. Farmers markets don't sell garbabe bags, or dishwashing soap, or ketchup, or a whole bunch of products.

Yes, they also get fresh vegetables.

I'm not sure when the last time you went to CFM, but there are vendors that sell... dishwashing soap and fancy condiments. It's gotten pretty silly over there.

Point being, wanting to be "local" is all noble and good, but then there's the whole part about trying to at least make ends meet.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Part of what makes farmers markets great is the atmosphere and experience of it in and around the venue. Putting them on Macleod or in an industrial area like the CFM isn't exactly inspiring. I guess the parking is free and abundant.

I really wish we could develop a public market near downtown - something like Granville, By-ward or St. Lawrence. Stampede would be an ideal location in my mind and the agricultural component fits with Stampede's image and mission. Still has parking, has LRT access, can tie into the main street area they're trying to develop on 4th street SE and creates a bit of an urbane atmosphere. Mewata Armoury spilling out into Millennium Park in the summer would be another great location. A downtown location would also give it a chance to become a bona fide tourist attraction.

There used to be a farmer's market in Kensington. It died a sad death.