BC Seeds

We would like to introduce you to the http://www.bcseeds.org/ website. This website was created as an information resource for British Columbian farmers and gardeners looking for BC grown seed. The website contains a continually growing database of BC grown seeds as well as informative articles on seed growing.

YEAR-ROUND INDOOR MARKET

We did it! The Year-Round Indoor Market is a reality! To make this extra special, it's a first in all of BC! The old Morrison's Men's Wear building is now the home of the Year-Round Indoor Market. Presently 17 of a total of about 85 members will be serving our customers indoors, every Saturday, 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, year-round, summer and winter. The indoor location occupies the former Morrison's Men's Wear building at the corner of Third Avenue and George Street. We are now working on the adjacent building with the intention of turning it into a room for community groups. If you are interested, please contact the Market at info@farmersmarketpg.ca.

The Market is now on Facebook

You can now check out the Market on Facebook, post comments, participate in discussions, and post photos.

YEAR-ROUND FARMERS' MARKET / PUBLIC MARKET

The Farmers' Market Association is currently in the process of working towards establishing a Public Market in Downtown Prince George as a long-term project. To make the public market successful in terms of community benefits and long-term sustainability as well as socially and economically, the market must create a strong sense of place in the minds of City Residents.

The market must be a place for people to come together and evoke a sense of ownership among City residents very much as they do now with the Farmers' Market. As there is no Town Square in Prince George, the market should be designed to take on this role at the heart of the City.

The proposed business model that fits the objectives best is that of a co-operative with the City of Prince George as a stable partner. The public market facility shall be managed as a non profit organization, providing an affordable venue for local farmers, producers, makers, bakers, and entrepreneurs much like the Farmers' Market operates the seasonal market. The goal of the public market is to provide a social meeting place, a Town Square, a "place" for Prince George residents while at the same time providing a venue for local vendors to run their businesses at a profit.

The public market will not replace the Farmers' Market - on the contrary, the public market will extend many vendors' selling season, provide a facility for those vendors who can provide products year-round, and, of course, accommodate seasonal vendors during the summer outdoor season.

The public market will be a home for anchor businesses operating indoors, year-round; for vendors with an extended season in an indoors/outdoors transitional space; and for seasonal vendors setting up in outdoors market stalls during the summer season...we need your help and input...send us your comments! If you're an architect, an accountant, or a lawyer willing to contribute with some pro bono work, or, if you are an individual or corporation wanting to sponsor the project, please contact us and let us know!

Progress on the Public Market Project

The efforts to establish a year-round market in Prince George are ongoing.

After several meetings with City Centre Ventures (CCV), Downtown Prince George, Initiatives Prince George (IPG) and individual Councillors, it was suggested to submit a proposal to establish a multipurpose facility (in conjunction with the proposed Performing Arts Centre) as a Spirit Square project which would also house a year-round market as outlined above. However, this proposal was turned down by the City for cost reasons. Instead, the City suggested to proceed with the Spirit Square project on a smaller scale. The City will apply for funds to turn the front of City Hall into a Spirit Square and has invited the Farmers' Market to participate in this project. It was made very clear that the City will proceed with the Spirit Square project whether the Market takes part in it or not. The Spirit Square project is now completed at a cost for $ 1 Million! (Farmers' Market Association: $ 0.00).

At the Farmers' Market AGM in February 2008 this option was brought before the members and was clearly voted against for the following reasons: 1) The project would not accommodate a year-round market; 2) Construction activity would negatively affect market activities; 3) The site (front lawn and underneath the awning of City Hall) makes it difficult for vendors to set up and hard for wheelchair users and disabled persons to move around freely; 4) Setting up on the lawn portion of the site would make it difficult for a number of vendors during rainy weather. There were a number of other concerns, particularly costs, that finally led to a no vote for the 2008 season.

Since the building of the Java Mugga site with washrooms made available for Market visitors has not materialized, the Market has hired a supplier providing 2 Porta-Potties as an interim measure. The City of Prince George has also provided training and adapters to access water from one of the City Hydrants. The membership also expressed the will to carry on with the project of the year-round market The Cafe is now established and provides washrooms as well as an ATM.

Positive news on year round market project

In August 2009 Roman Muntener has prepared a presentation on the year round market project to be located at the former site of the Columbus Hotel between Second and Third Avenue. The powerpoint presentation was delivered to the Prince George Downtown Taskforce by Roman Muntener and former Market president Judy Croome. Present were City Manager Derek Bates, Mayor Dan Rogers, Councillors Murry Krause and Cameron Stoltz, as well as other members of the downtown task force including Initiatives' CEO Tim McEwan. The project will be presented to City Council on October 18 for approval in principle.

The YRM project was approved in principle by the City and discussions around the format and financing have started at IPG who is taking the lead in planning a Public Market downtown Prince George. The FMA is pressing for a solution in the near future and the committee at IPG has worked out a plan that would go forward in two phases: Phase one would consist of an immediately available location, while Phase two would include a more elaborate Public Market with permanent anchor stores. There has been no movement on City's side on Phase two (there was no movement on Phase one either). The Farmers' Market has now completed the renovations on its indoor market location in the former Morrison's Men's wear building and opens the indoor market May 1st, 2010, coinciding with the opening of the outdoor season - thank you to Commonwealth Financial for a very favourable lease. (City contribution to this community project: $ 0:00). This year-round location will be the home for 17 of the approximately 85 current vendors and will open May 1st, coinciding with the opening of the regular outdoor market. For information you may contact Roman Muntener at roman@redroosterbakey.ca or call 250-560-5000.