Farmers’ Markets Canada, a national offshoot of Farmers’ Markets Ontario, plans a market study to create a profile of both the shoppers and sellers who use farmers’ markets across the country.
Recommendations to be developed from the study will be shared with the national group’s provincial partners by February 2009, FMC said in a federal government release Monday.
FMC will look at national issues impacting farmers’ markets across Canada and undertake activities to increase the number of farmers’ markets, the group said in its release.
FMC also plans to develop a network of industry and community partners to share knowledge and find community/industry-driven solutions to support national and rural economic development.
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“We envision a future where every Canadian has easy access to a farmers’ market,” said Robert Chorney, chair of FMC’s board and executive director of Farmers’ Markets Ontario. “We know the demand is there and now FMC will work hard to make this objective a reality.”
“Farmers’ markets are part of the heart and soul of this country, and our government is proud to have helped establish a national network that is supporting their development and growth,” said Ontario MP Guy Lauzon, the Conservative government’s caucus chair, speaking on the topic on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.
“These markets are an excellent way for farmers to grow their businesses while boosting our rural economies,” Lauzon said.
