Five months after the Winter Market in Market Square opened as an experiment, its popularity is keeping it alive.
What started as a once-a-month trial to bring local foods and music into one location despite the cold was expanded to twice a month and will continue as the weather warms, as the Summer Market.
B次元官网网址淛an. 15 came along and that was the best day,B次元官网网址� said co-organizer Timothy Trebilcock, with Eat Here Now.
B次元官网网址淭hese are cold days B次元官网网址� it was surprising and that was probably 500 to 1,000 people coming downtown. In the winter, people are getting local produce.B次元官网网址�
In the cold weather, the produce selection at the market wasnB次元官网网址檛 huge, so baking, cheese and honey filled the gaps. Still, the numbers kept increasing.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 certain we could operate four times a month in Market Square,B次元官网网址� Trebilcock said. B次元官网网址淚t could be pretty successful, but we donB次元官网网址檛 want to compete with other markets and other farmers.B次元官网网址�
With summer coming, that competition includes the Moss Street Market, the Open Air Urban Market in Centennial Square, the James Bay Community Market, a smaller market in Fernwood, the Island Chefs Collaborative market in Bastion Square, and a handful of others that pop up in the region, selling locally grown produce and other goods.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a trend thatB次元官网网址檚 growing as people come to appreciate sustainable food more, said Ken Winchester, owner of Niagara Grocery which opened in James Bay two years ago, and Fairfield Market, in business for four weeks.
B次元官网网址淭here was a whole generation who wanted choice, convenience and price,B次元官网网址� Winchester said. B次元官网网址�(People) are trying new foods and theyB次元官网网址檙e liking it.B次元官网网址�
Moss Street Market and James Bay Community Market both reported seeing an increase in business last year, and James Bay noted the biggest boost was in produce sales.
Matthew Glynn of Victoria-based MattB次元官网网址檚 Breads said he and his wife have increasingly shopped for their foods at markets B次元官网网址� or at least at destinations that sell locally sourced foods.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 because it tastes better,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 fresher and itB次元官网网址檚 local. B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 also to do with wanting to reduce their carbon impact as well.B次元官网网址�
Despite peopleB次元官网网址檚 lives generally getting busier, Winchester said people are taking time to choose fresh, local foods.
B次元官网网址淧eople are enjoying their food. TheyB次元官网网址檙e making time, theyB次元官网网址檙e carving the time out of their lives (for good food).B次元官网网址�
Trebilcock said trends could push even more shoppers toward markets, as sustainability becomes a priority.
B次元官网网址淔oodB次元官网网址檚 becoming really, really important,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e seeing prices of food skyrocket because of gasoline and weB次元官网网址檙e seeing people become more conscious about the problems with carbon and seeing that people are more educated about food as well.
B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e seeing local food is a little more expensive, but it is worth it.B次元官网网址�
ecardone@vicnews.com
