Community Showcase

Farmers’ Cooperative

Hi there, I’ll be new to the area shortly, but i’d like to see the creation of a large scale farmers’ market along the lines of what is done at St Jacob’s ON.

Largely created and built by their local Mennonite community, St Jacob’s is known across the province for it’s incredible selection and quality and has become a tourist destination for the ultimate outdoor market experience.

I myself remember being loaded up in the car one or twice a year to make the 2.5 hr drive to see the Mennonites showcase of not only wares but glimpses into their culture and history, and with many Hutterite communities as well as long cemented farmers it lends itself the opportunity to establish something of that nature.

My recommendation is to emulate a building such as Crossroads market in Calgary and build out from there. Marketing can be done cheaply through targeting specific Facebook groups in the larger cities. I would also recommend that such a facility be located in Daysland or Bawlf as it would be good to be away from the spectre of BVJ and proximity to local hospital advantageous for an influx of tourist populace.

Renting of stall space is also advantageous to spark small business owners that may operate on a very low scale as making a jump to brick and mortar isn’t sustainable.

Offering farm to table options without a grocer’s intermediary charges would also prove a benefit for those that would put the work in and established businesses would attract more foot traffic.

Yours truly
– Brian Snyder