Ottawa Farmers’ Markets

[rocketphish]

Ottawa Farmers' Market to uncork wine sales Sunday

Laura Robin, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: June 10, 2014, Last Updated: June 10, 2014 8:27 PM EDT

Starting Sunday, you’ll be able to buy a bottle of rose along with your rhubarb at Ottawa Farmers’ Market.

The market board voted Monday evening to approve a Prince Edward County winery called By Chadsey’s Cairns to be the first vendor to sell wine at the Brewer Park market.

“I suspect it will be a very popular addition to the market,” said Andy Terauds, president of Ottawa Farmers’ Market. “It’s local wine to go with local food — at least, it’s as local as we can get.”

Under a new pilot project announced by the Ontario government in December, wines may be sold at farmers’ markets, but only if they are VQA, which are made with Ontario vinifera grapes, not hybrids. This is the first winery to be approved to sell at an Ottawa market.

Terauds says Richard Johnston, who owns By Chadsey’s Cairns with his wife, Vida, who is the winemaker, is an excellent fit.

“He came up to see us and our market on Sunday and we very impressed,” says Terauds.

By Chadsey’s Cairns, near Wellington, is one of the oldest wineries in Prince Edward County and, in 2002, produced the first vintage that was made with 100-per-cent vinifera wines from the county.

Johnston, who farms the vineyard himself, will make the two-hour drive from their home (which is east of the vineyard and winery) each Sunday to sell his wines at Ottawa Farmers’ Market, probably bringing four different types each week, with bottles ranging from $19 to $27.

“Ours are premium wines,” says Johnston. “We’ll have to figure which wines sell best in the Ottawa market.”

By Chadsey’s Cairns makes everything from rosés, rieslings and chardonnays to pinot noir and gamay noir. It is the only winery in Prince Edward County to make chenin blanc and muscat and one of only a handful that makes gewurztraminer. Sample tastes will be $1 each.

“We realized that we couldn’t bring glasses, because there was nowhere to wash them,” says Johnston. “So we searched around and found these little biodegradable plastic glasses.”

Johnston says he’s thrilled to be part of Ottawa Farmers’ Market.

“People will be able to pick up a bottle of local wine to have with their Sunday dinner. We already have about 1,500 Ottawa customers on our mailing list, so this will be great if they can’t get down to The County as often as they’d like. And we’ll bring our full wine list every Sunday so people can pre-order. I’ll do home deliveries after the market each week.”

Johnston, who was an MPP for Scarborough West from 1979 to 1990, says he lobbied for about the last eight years for farmers’ markets to be allowed to sell local wines, as is already done in Nova Scotia and B.C.

But, like Terauds, he says he’s disappointed that the pilot project allows only VQA wine sales, even though that favours his winery over ones closer to Ottawa.

“I think the government did it this way because they were worried about some of the big wineries coming to the markets with blends with foreign wines in them, but this is hard for Ontario fruit-wine and cider makers, who have no other means of selling their products, as well as for wineries that are not VQA.”

Terauds says if the regulations are changed to allow wines made from hybrid grapes, the market would quickly move to accommodate Ottawa-area vineyards, which can’t grow VQA grapes due to our more harsh climate.

“We want local. That’s what we’re all about.”

[email protected]

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ottawa-farmers-market-to-uncork-wine-sales-sunday

[rocketphish]

Ottawa Farmers' Market, city sign Lansdowne Park agreement

Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: June 26, 2014, Last Updated: June 26, 2014 7:40 PM EDT

The Ottawa Farmers’ Market has reached an agreement with the city that secures permanent space for the popular market at the redeveloped Lansdowne Park, starting in November.

In a report to the city’s finance committee, which meets Thursday, staff recommend approving the agreement negotiated by the market’s board of directors and the city. It cements a November 2010 Memorandum of Understanding that “demonstrated the city’s commitment to have a farmers’ market as a permanent element of programming at the revitalized” park, the report says.

The OFM has successfully operated its summer market at Brewer Park for the past three seasons, but welcomes the return to Lansdowne, said general manager Linda Cook.

“We’re just hoping that going back to Lansdowne will be even better,” she said Thursday. “We’re looking forward to the new experience.”

The agreement gives the farmers’ market “non exclusive use” of Aberdeen Square for up to seven days a week between May and November, and space inside the adjacent Aberdeen Pavilion to hold an indoor market on weekends from November to April.

The annual Christmas market will be held this year on the weekends of Nov. 29-30, and Dec. 6-7 and 13-14.

The proposed schedule for 2015 will see the outdoor market open on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be a maximum of 30 stalls on Wednesdays, as many as 80 stalls on Fridays and as many as 150 stalls at the height of the harvest, from August to October, according to the agreement. A stall measures three by six metres, and vendors are allowed to reserve as many as three.

Cook said vendor fees have not been set, but the agreement stipulates that the OFM will pay the city $10 net per occupied stand per day.

The farmers’ market will pick up the cost of electricity and water services, which total $82,000 (to be paid over five years), and will also be responsible for removing garbage and recycling.

OFM vehicles can access Aberdeen Square to set up and take down stalls, but motorized vehicles can’t stay on the site. Instead, the farmers’ market has to find off-site parking for vendors. Underground parking at the park will be reserved for customers.

Although “every reasonable effort” will be made to accommodate the outdoor market, especially on Sundays, a clause in the contract gives the city the right to stage events that could preclude the market from operating.

Cook said she most major events would be staged in the evening and thus won’t interfere with the market, which wraps up at 3 p.m.

“We’re pretty confident that Sunday will be untouched,” she said.

[email protected]
twitter.com/mpearson78

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ottawa-farmers-market-city-sign-lansdowne-park-agreement

[Buggys]

With the limited parking nearby, how are vendors supposed to find parking off-site? It would make more sense if farmers' transportation vehicles are right next to their stalls. Can the farmer's market continue at Brewer's Park instead?

[S-Man]

Ottawa Farmers' Market to uncork wine sales Sunday

Laura Robin, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: June 10, 2014, Last Updated: June 10, 2014 8:27 PM EDT

Starting Sunday, you’ll be able to buy a bottle of rose along with your rhubarb at Ottawa Farmers’ Market.

The market board voted Monday evening to approve a Prince Edward County winery called By Chadsey’s Cairns to be the first vendor to sell wine at the Brewer Park market.

“I suspect it will be a very popular addition to the market,” said Andy Terauds, president of Ottawa Farmers’ Market. “It’s local wine to go with local food — at least, it’s as local as we can get.”

Under a new pilot project announced by the Ontario government in December, wines may be sold at farmers’ markets, but only if they are VQA, which are made with Ontario vinifera grapes, not hybrids. This is the first winery to be approved to sell at an Ottawa market.

Terauds says Richard Johnston, who owns By Chadsey’s Cairns with his wife, Vida, who is the winemaker, is an excellent fit.

“He came up to see us and our market on Sunday and we very impressed,” says Terauds.

By Chadsey’s Cairns, near Wellington, is one of the oldest wineries in Prince Edward County and, in 2002, produced the first vintage that was made with 100-per-cent vinifera wines from the county.

Johnston, who farms the vineyard himself, will make the two-hour drive from their home (which is east of the vineyard and winery) each Sunday to sell his wines at Ottawa Farmers’ Market, probably bringing four different types each week, with bottles ranging from $19 to $27.

“Ours are premium wines,” says Johnston. “We’ll have to figure which wines sell best in the Ottawa market.”

By Chadsey’s Cairns makes everything from rosés, rieslings and chardonnays to pinot noir and gamay noir. It is the only winery in Prince Edward County to make chenin blanc and muscat and one of only a handful that makes gewurztraminer. Sample tastes will be $1 each.

“We realized that we couldn’t bring glasses, because there was nowhere to wash them,” says Johnston. “So we searched around and found these little biodegradable plastic glasses.”

Johnston says he’s thrilled to be part of Ottawa Farmers’ Market.

“People will be able to pick up a bottle of local wine to have with their Sunday dinner. We already have about 1,500 Ottawa customers on our mailing list, so this will be great if they can’t get down to The County as often as they’d like. And we’ll bring our full wine list every Sunday so people can pre-order. I’ll do home deliveries after the market each week.”

Johnston, who was an MPP for Scarborough West from 1979 to 1990, says he lobbied for about the last eight years for farmers’ markets to be allowed to sell local wines, as is already done in Nova Scotia and B.C.

But, like Terauds, he says he’s disappointed that the pilot project allows only VQA wine sales, even though that favours his winery over ones closer to Ottawa.

“I think the government did it this way because they were worried about some of the big wineries coming to the markets with blends with foreign wines in them, but this is hard for Ontario fruit-wine and cider makers, who have no other means of selling their products, as well as for wineries that are not VQA.”

Terauds says if the regulations are changed to allow wines made from hybrid grapes, the market would quickly move to accommodate Ottawa-area vineyards, which can’t grow VQA grapes due to our more harsh climate.

“We want local. That’s what we’re all about.”

[email protected]

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-...e-sales-sunday

Alcohol?! Being sold without a government watchdog on either side of the seller?! As a good Ontarian, excuse me while I clutch my pearls, have a case of the vapours, and have to lie down.

[rocketphish]

Brewer Park market unbeatable for entertainment value

Bruce Ward, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: July 17, 2014, Last Updated: July 18, 2014 9:12 PM EDT



What the hell is a garlic scape? Should I eat it? How do you eat it?

I’m asking myself these questions during a stroll through the delightful Ottawa Farmers’ Market (OFM) at Brewer Park on a recent sunny Sunday morning.

Although I’ve never heard of them, garlic scapes — curly green stalks cut off hardneck garlic plants — are for sale from several vendors at the park. I’m thinking scapes must be the latest fad for the juice-cleansing, Volvo-driving, yoga crowd. That makes scapes this year’s quinoa.

I expect to leave the market in an hour or so with bags of veggies, organic eggs, breakfast pork patties, and bread I like to think is made with flour ground by contented artisans at a rustic watermill.

Meanwhile, I splurge on date squares dug freshly that morning from the date-square fields in the countryside. I also have a gluten-free cupcake, harvested from the famous cupcake orchards of Carp.

I can’t help thinking some vendors here are to farming what Stephen Harper is to Brahma bull riding. But so what? The Brewer Park market makes grocery shopping fun, and how often can you say that? The strawberries are ripe and glistening, and grown locally — not shipped from Mexico or California.

When I get home, I wonder why I spent so much when I could get cheaper stuff at the supermarket, air-conditioned and open 24 hours. I think it’s because this farmer’s market has the atmosphere of a country carnival. It makes me feel like an excited 14-year-old at the old Ottawa Ex for the first time, a kid who spends his money fast.

Another thing: the market at Brewer Park is unbeatable for its entertainment value. One vendor has a sign proclaiming beets to be a hangover cure that speeds up detoxification of the liver. Slightly misshapen tomatoes which, the sign says, “taste better than they look,” are on offer at one stand.

Heirloom tomatoes are displayed at another, including “black pineapple” and “stupice” varieties. I may be a mug, but there’s no way I’m making myself a bacon and black-pineapple tomato sandwich for lunch. I’m not that stupice, buddy.

There are kids sticky with candy, a smiling long-haired older dude at a stand selling plants, and plenty of stylishly dressed women with trophy dogs on leashes. Some of them look really high-strung and temperamental, and so do their dogs.

I saw a couple of hipsters in fedoras who looked like they could use an adult dosage of hangover-curing beets. In Brewer Park, you must remember to look where you’re going or expect to get whacked in back of the legs by a Bugaboo stroller.

The park, just across Bronson Avenue from Carleton University, is the ideal venue for a farmers’ market. There are shady trees, picnic tables for the hungry and footsore, playgrounds and bike paths, and more than 100 vendors selling locally grown produce and meat, cheeses, quiche, preserves, and cookies.

The OFM website offers a free parking pass for the season. Imagine — free parking in a city notorious for its flinty-eyed parking control officers.

Starting in November, the market moves to its permanent location at the redeveloped Lansdowne Park after three seasons at Brewer.

The new agreement between the city and OFM gives the farmers’ market “non exclusive use” of Aberdeen Square for up to seven days a week between May and November, and space inside the adjacent Aberdeen Pavilion to hold an indoor market on weekends from November to April.

I think the OFM is making a mistake by abandoning Brewer. The move will mean searching out scarce parking in the Glebe or paying for new underground parking at Lansdowne. Why not leave the market at Brewer for the summer season, then switch to the Aberdeen Pavilion when the weather turns chilly?

Maybe farmers’ markets are nothing more than drop-in centres for food snobs as some claim, but I don’t mind. Next Sunday, you’ll find me wandering around Brewer Park, stuffing my face and smiling.

Oh, about garlic scapes. I found out that farmers used to toss scapes in the compost. Scapes are going for $2-$3 a bunch these days. Now that’s marketing.

http://ottawacitizen.com/life/food/brewer-park-market-unbeatable-for-entertainment-value

[rocketphish]

Pilot fresh food program aims to feed and educate

Chris Cobb, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: July 26, 2014, Last Updated: July 26, 2014 5:17 PM EDT



Ottawa Public Health launched a new ‘MarketMobile Bus’ food delivery program Saturday to get affordable fruit and vegetables to communities the city says has limited access to fresh produce.

The six-month pilot program arrived at Morrison Gardens off Pinecrest Road in the city’s west end in the form of a rented OC Transpo bus packed with fresh fruit and vegetables.

Loblaws is supplying the produce at around wholesale prices and volunteers are selling it to shoppers at the same price.

After two hours at Morrison Gardens, the bus travelled to the Caldwell Avenue area.

Next Saturday, it travels to the Robert Bateman school at east Hunt Club and on to the rural community of Vars.

Those four communities will see the MarketMobile bus every two weeks until December.

It’s currently accepted that many people eat poorly because other necessities of life, such as housing and child care, account for most of the family expenses.

But another aim of the program is to help educate people that it’s possible to eat healthier even on tight budgets.

“We have a situation where people are suffering from malnutrition because the food they are eating is not nutritious,” said Kaitrin Doll, co-chair of the city’s Poverty and Hunger Working Group Food.

“It isn’t giving them the nutrition they need. They are eating what’s accessible which is often high in saturated fat, high carbohydrates and high sugar.”

Obesity is another target of the program.

Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario president Alex Munter, who co-chaired last year’s ‘Ontario Healthy Kids Panel, said many families can’t afford fruits and vegetables.

“The MarketMobile bus won’t just address poverty and hunger, it will also contribute to healthy weights for kids,” predicted Munter.

“Close to one-third of kids in Ontario are now overweight or obese,” he said. “Tackling this issue now is one of the most important priorities in child and youth health … to avoid today’s kids becoming a generation of adults with lifelong chronic illnesses.”

According to the 2013 Nutritious Food Basket Survey, it costs at least $789 a month to feed a healthy diet to a family of four so many are buying cheaper, unhealthier alternatives.

The pilot project is costing around $50,000-$60,000 including the $30,000 bus rental.

Doll admits that just twice-monthly visits to the four communities isn’t ideal given the perishable nature of fresh produce but the project’s budget won’t currently allow for more.

As various dignitaries gave speeches at Saturday’s inaugural ‘bus mart’, about 25 people lined up at the front door of the bus with their shopping baskets.

Logan Ndoudy, a mother of one, said she often buys food at WalMart or Giant Tiger and sometimes at Loblaws at College Square – a trip that costs her about $35 in taxi fare.

“It’s too expensive,” she said. “But this bus is a good idea. It will be good for a lot of families.”

Mercy Wimalawithie, a mother of three, said the prospect of being able to buy affordable produce “makes me happy” because her three kids – 21, 18, 17 – have voracious appetites.

“Kids eat a lot,” she said.

More information on the bus and its schedule is at marketmobileottawa.ca

[email protected]
twitter.com/chrisicobb

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/pilot-fresh-food-program-aims-to-feed-and-educate

[rocketphish]

Beechwood gets a Market!

By Chris Cline
Posted 8th June by VanierNow



It's been a rough couple of years for farmers' markets in Ottawa. We've experienced a spate of market closures, the most recent being the highly publicized Sparks Street market cancellation. But local market goers should take heart in Beechwood's new market, which is great news for those of us in Vanier and other east-end neighbourhoods.

East-enders were left in the lurch in 2013 when the lone farmers' market in the area was cancelled abruptly. The cancellation was controversial. Several longstanding market vendors made their unhappiness known, especially with regard to the loss of revenue and the timing of the decision.

But all of that's in the past. And those of us in the east end can finally rejoice over the announcement of a new famers' market, set to open in early July on Beechwood Avenue.

The new market is the brainchild of Chris Penton, one of the people behind the original Vanier market and the Preston Farmers' Market. He saw the closure of Vanier's market as an opportunity. And when a space in the parking lot of the former Desjardins at 99 Beechwood became available, he approached owner Claridge Homes about establishing a new venture for local farmers and vendors.

"I can't think of a neighbourhood that could support a market as well as Beechwood," said Penton. "There seems to be a lingering hangover; people are still complaining about the lack of a market, and they really liked having one around."

The market has already attracted a strong host of vendors, from stalwart Vanier produce sellers Foster Family Farm and Rock'n'Root (currently outside Jacobsons on Saturdays) to newcomers like Top Shelf Preserves and The Salty Don. Beechwood will also be the first Ottawa market to sell VQA approved wines, with Prince Edward County's Harwood Estates Winery already on board.

"Beechwood is in search of itself, probably for the last decade or so, and especially since the fire. I think the neighbourhood needs a feel-good story and this certainly falls into that category."

The market's website is currently in development, but you can sign up for an e-newsletter at www.beechwoodmarket.ca. Things kick off on July 5 and continue each Saturday until October 11.

http://vaniernow.blogspot.ca/2014/06/beechwood-gets-market.html


Beechwood Market
Location: 99 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, ON
http://www.beechwoodmarket.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/beechwoodmarket

[Aylmer]

It should also be mentionned that Aylmer has finally gotten a small farmer's market going on Sundays! It's currently quite small, but it's well-located in the centre of town, along Principale in front of the library. I've had the misfortune to be away the last two Sundays, but I look forward to getting to take a look.

[rocketphish]

Ontario wine coming to Westboro market

Laura Robin, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: August 21, 2014, Last Updated: August 21, 2014 12:49 PM EDT

Starting Saturday, you’ll be able to buy Ontario wine at the farmers’ market in Westboro.

By Chadsey’s Cairns, the Prince Edward County winery that has been selling at Ottawa Farmers’ Market at Brewer Park since June, will add the Westboro market this weekend. The Westboro market, which runs along Byron Avenue at Golden Avenue, runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“I will be bringing our Gamay/Pinot, Riesling, Chardonnay, White Horse Blend, Gewurztraminer and the last allotment of our Muscat Ottonel,” said Richard Johnston, who runs the Wellington winery with his wife, Vida. “Come pick up some wine with your dinner supplies.”

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ontario-wine-coming-to-westboro-market

[S-Man]

Wine.
In our farmer's markets.
In our linear parks.

How can this be legal??

[1overcosc]

In a scary world in which the state watchdogs do not monitor our alcohol use. RUN!

[rocketphish]

Farmers market moves back to Lansdowne Sunday

Laura Robin, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: November 28, 2014Last Updated: November 28, 2014 7:45 PM EST


When the ribbon is cut at Ottawa’s Farmers’ Christmas Market at Lansdowne on Sunday, it will not only be a homecoming celebration complete with hot local apple cider and Christmas goodies, it will mark the start of the first year-round, indoor, producer-based market for Ottawa.

After Sunday, the Christmas Market will run Saturdays and Sundays Dec. 6 and 7, and 13 and 14, then vacate for just three weeks before the farmers market reopens Jan. 11 for the first time as a regular indoor winter market.

“For Ottawa-area farmers this is the start of something stable and very big,” said Andy Terauds, president of Ottawa Farmers’ Market. “It will change the way people farm, knowing that they can sell reliably year-round. We’ll start small, but grow over the years as the capacity to grow winter crops and store and preserve produce increases.”

The farmers market will operate out of the historic Aberdeen Pavilion — affectionately known as the Cattle Castle — until May 1, when it will move outdoors, close to where it operated until three years ago, when it moved to Brewer Park while Lansdowne was under redevelopment. Markets will continue in Westboro on Saturdays and Orléans on Fridays. In summer, for the first time, the market will operate at Lansdowne three days a week: Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

“This is a very big step, and it’s taken us nine seasons to get to it,” said Terauds, noting that the Ottawa Farmers’ Market is now the biggest producer-based farmers’ market in Ontario, if not Canada.

While January markets are expected to be smaller, with 30 to 40 vendors, the Christmas Market will fill the Cattle Castle, with about 120 vendors. “We have every space filled, which we’ve not done before,” says Terauds. “We’re already having to turn vendors away. It’s going to be an exciting few days.”

The 116-year-old Victorian exhibition hall will be decorated with 25 Christmas trees; carollers and other musicians will entertain, and vendors will compete for best decorated stand.

Still, the move is not without worries.

“There are a lot of unknowns and anxiety with any move,” says Terauds. “We’re moving into a space with no visibility from the street and with a big food store between us and Bank Street.”

Parking is a major problem. The farmers’ market was unable to reach a deal with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), so if customers want to park at Lansdowne for the farmers’ market it will be at very limited above-ground metered spots or underground at the regular rate that starts at $3 for the first 30 minutes, with a daily maximum of $16. (Or, if you spend $25 or more at Whole Foods, you can park in the grocery store’s underground parking area free for 90 minutes. The LCBO is expected to offer a similar deal.)

To get around this, Ottawa Farmers Market will run free shuttle buses every 20 to 30 minutes from its old location, Brewer Park, where parking is free, and from Carleton University, where it costs $3 a day. While the Christmas Markets will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, the shuttles will start at 7:30 a.m. and go to 6:30 p.m.

The farmers’ market is attempting to at least get a clearly marked ground-level loading zone near the Cattle Castle where people can park for five minutes while dropping off shoppers or picking up produce.

“If someone is going to buy a bushel of tomatoes, they’re not going to haul it out to Bank Street,” says Terauds.

After the opening burlap-ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Sunday, customers at the Christmas Market will be treated to hot apple cider from Hall’s Apple Market of Brockville and Barkley’s Apple Orchard near Morrisburg, as well as apple dumplings from Hearty Bakery, Christmas macaroons from Pretty-Fours and decorated Christmas cookies from Yummy Cookies.


Five treats to look for at Ottawa Farmers’ Christmas Market

Power Take-off: By Chadsey’s Cairns, the Prince Edward County winery approved to sell at Ottawa Farmers’ Market, will debut its new sparkling red at the Christmas Market, a blend of grapes that are 100-per-cent grown on the farm near Wellington, about three hours’ drive from Ottawa. $22.20.

Christmas kale: Andy Terauds of Carp’s Acorn Creek Garden Farm will be selling kale picked fresh from the field. “It’s the only time to buy kale as far as I’m concerned,” says Terauds. “The hard frost gets rid of all the bitterness.” $3 a bunch.

Hot chocolate for Santa: Pascale the-queen-of-ice-cream will be selling 750-mL jars of her luxurious hot chocolate made with 58 per cent chocolate, malted milk, bourbon vanilla and five-per-cent cream — have it straight and thick, or mix with espresso, dark beer or liqueurs (she won’t be at the market Nov. 30, but will be the other four days.) $15.

Chestnuts for your open fire: Warner’s Farm of Beamsville will be back with fresh Ontario-grown chestnuts. “The Ontario ones, versus the Italian ones, can actually be eaten raw, but they do improve with cooking,” says Torrie Warner. $5 a pint.

Stocking stuffers: The popular michaelsdolce line of jewel-bright jams will include tiny 20-mL stocking-stuffer jars for Christmas; $30 for an assortment of 10 different flavours, including the new plum-cinnamon.

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/farmers-market-moves-back-to-lansdowne-sunday

[kwoldtimer]

I'm confused. I thought that the Horticulture Building was being turned into the Farmers Market.

[Aylmer]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

I'm confused. I thought that the Horticulture Building was being turned into the Farmers Market.

• Video Link

"It's perfectly simple!"

[DEWLine]

Wondering if part of the Target space in Place d'Orléans could be set aside for our local farmer's market on a regular basis...?

[MoreTrains]

Originally Posted by DEWLine

Wondering if part of the Target space in Place d'Orléans could be set aside for our local farmer's market on a regular basis...?

Im sure that would be very possible... so long as they could afford the rent.

[rocketphish]

Ottawa Farmers' Market divided by dissent as contract negotiations loom

Robert Sibley, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: September 6, 2015 | Last Updated: September 6, 2015 9:14 PM EDT

With contract talks with the city pending, the Ottawa Farmers’ Market is divided by petitions from members wanting the president’s resignation, demands for sanctions against rule-bending vendors and irritation with the way their de facto landlord, Ottawa Sports Entertainment Group, treats the group.

“The farmers’ market is in crisis,” said one member, Ida Vaillancourt, in summarizing the situation.

Vaillancourt was one of about 50 market members who attended a meeting Sunday called in response to concerns on the part of some vendors that others had stayed open last Sunday, Aug. 30, in defiance of a city order and the direction of OSEG that the market close at 1 p.m. − rather than the normal 3 p.m. − because of a football game at Lansdowne Park that day. But what made the matter more complicated − and the meeting more emotional − was that the stall of the OFM’s president, Andy Terauds, remained open beyond the stipulated closing time.

The Ottawa Farmers’ Market, with its more than 120 or so vendors, operates in Aberdeen Square in Lansdowne Park. Its regular hours are Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Sunday hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. However, under the current contract between the OFM and the municipality, city officials can adjust the closing as well as the opening hours if deemed necessary. A few days before Aug. 30, OSEG informed vendors they were expected to close at 1 p.m. and be clear of the site in time for a football game scheduled for later in the afternoon.

The situation has prompted some vendors to question whether Lansdowne Park is the best place for their operations. “The real issue here is our relationship with OSEG,” aid Paul Helm, who operates the Savoury Pursuits stall.

“After what happened last weekend, if that’s not a signal to the mayor that this venue doesn’t work for this farmers’ market …,” said Vaillancourt, noting that she’s seen her income drop to less than $1,000 a day from $3,000 a day since the OFM moved from Brewer Park to Lansdowne Park. “The market (in Lansdowne Park) is falling apart.”

During the meeting, Terauds explained it was not his intention to violate the closing-time restrictions. The reason his stall was not shut down and packed away at the requisite hour was because he was representing the OFM at the annual Savour Ottawa Harvest Table dinner that Sunday afternoon. He said he removed his stall as soon as he was able to leave the event.

Terauds said he’d offered to resign if that was what the board wanted after some members objected to his apparent hypocrisy. However, while emphasizing that his breach of the closing time was “unintentional,” he also warned the members that with contract negotiations between the OFM and the city due to begin this month, it would be a mistake to lose his knowledge and expertise over “petty things.”

“I’m the best person to lead the board forward,” Terauds said.

At the same time, though, he acknowledged that vendors have a “whole list of grievances” against the city regarding its treatment of them. Last Sunday’s defiance of the city closing order reflected this frustration, he said, adding that the question of the city’s ability to adjust vendor hours needs to be included in the upcoming talks.

Some members, however, argued that regardless of his intentions, Terauds had been implicated in the actions of those half-dozen or so vendors who ignored the closing requirement, and that, in the words of a petition being circulated Sunday afternoon, would “impair his ability” to negotiate on behalf of the OFM.

On the other hand, some argued that those vendors who defied the closing order undermined the OFM’s reputation going into negotiations.

Vaillancourt pointed out that she, too, had an invitation to the Savour Ottawa event but had chosen not to go because she was ultimately the one responsible for closing down her stall at the required time.

One of those vendors who didn’t close − and who also defended Terauds as “indefatigable” − was Robin Turner, of Roots and Shoots Farm. He struck a defiant note, saying that many vendors are angry about their situation at Lansdowne Park, particularly given that “sales are way down from last year.”

Turner, a past president of the organization, also pointed out that there is nothing in the OFM’s bylaws stipulating members close or open at a particular time. “We did not break the rules in staying late,” he said.

The meeting ended without a resignation or any final resolution regarding calls for sanctions against the time-offending vendors. There wasn’t enough OFM board members at the meeting to form a quorum that would allow binding decisions to be made.

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news...by-dissent-as-contract-negotiations-loom

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Beechwood Market opens for winter

By Alex Robinson
Ottawa East News, Jan 18, 2016

The Beechwood Market is taking its fresh foods bazaar indoors this winter.

More than 20 vendors will sell produce at the winter market on four Saturdays – Jan. 23 and 30 and Feb. 6 and 13 – from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m inside the former St. Charles Church, at 131 Barette St.

The Vanier market will be one of Ottawa’s few fresh produce markets open during winter months.

“I can’t believe there aren’t more already. The east end is lacking a bit of these kinds of amenities,” said the market’s manager, Chris Penton.

“There isn’t a whole lot of opportunity for vendors to unload stuff if they have it throughout the winter.”

The Beechwood Market first opened in the summer of 2014 at 99 Beechwood Ave. and has offered local produce and VQA wines every Saturday during warmer months. Penton started the market after Quartier Vanier’s farmers market was cancelled the year before.

The winter edition of the market will be a smaller version, but will still have local vegetables grown in greenhouses, cheese, eggs, apples, baked goods and more.

Penton’s inspiration for the winter market came from a visit to the Forks, a meeting space in Winnipeg that has an indoor market during the winter months.

“The indoor part of it is what got me thinking about this,” he said.

“There aren’t many places for people to go hang out indoors.”

Penton said the market will offer an indoor gathering spot for east end residents during the cold winter months and will include live music and a bouncy castle for children.

“There is nowhere else like this in the east end,” he said.

Developer ModBox has plans to develop the former St. Charles Church site, which is hosting the winter market, into a new retail hub and residential building later in 2016.

The market’s last day, Feb. 13, will coincide with this year’s Vanier Winter Carnival.

http://www.ottawacommunitynews.com/news-story/6236873-beechwood-market-opens-for-winter/

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Community gardens can sell produce under new rules
Produce can be sold like at farmers markets

By Jennifer McIntosh
Manotick News, Apr 12, 2016

Representatives from the Ottawa Farmers’ Market, Just Food and a North Gower farmer cheered changes to an omnibus zoning amendment that would expand uses of community gardens.

Planning committee approved the change that would allow food produced in community gardens to be sold, donated or shared. In addition, the zoning amendment would allow for a farmers market on a lot where a community garden is a permitted use.

The staff report says the move aligns the city's bylaws with the objectives of Ottawa Public Health regarding access to healthy food in neighbourhoods, healthy eating and active living.

Mel Foster, owner of Foster Farm in North Gower, said the plan is important.

Foster thanked city staff for their work on the file.

“It’s great news for us,” he said, adding all his produce is sold locally and not shipped to other parts of the province.

Phil Mount, associate director of Just Foods – a not-for-profit food security organization that operates a number of mobile farmers markets across the city – said increased options for food production and zoning will benefit Ottawa residents.

Don Henderson, vice-president of the Ottawa Farmers’ Market, said that the change will improve the organization’s ability to deliver on its mission. They will be able to operate six days per week, 10 hours per day.

The Ottawa Farmers’ Market currently operates in Byron Park in Westboro, Lansdowne and Orléans. The farmers market offers produce from local horticulturalists and juried, secondary food processors.

Henderson said the issue goes beyond self-interest.

“There are studies that show for every dollar that gets spent at a farmers market, one to three dollars are spent in the neighbourhood,” he said.

Henderson added the Orléans location will be moving to the parking lot of the Ray Friel Recreation Complex, instead of the Centrum Shopping Centre lot, to improve the ambience.

Alta Vista Coun. Jean Cloutier asked staff if they had consulted local business over the zoning change.

“Other retailers pay taxes and employ people,” Cloutier said. “Have they been consulted?”

City planner Carol Ruddy said that in her opinion, it isn’t the city’s job to regulate competition.

“The amendment is meant to support the broader public interest so that residents have access to healthy food,” she said.

Cloutier asked if markets would be allowed to sell prepared food like pies and maple syrup. Ruddy said as long as they were produced by the farmers themselves it would be permitted.

College Ward Coun. Rick Chiarelli said he didn’t want to get into a debate about the kind of produce that would be available for sale.

“I remember debating types of cucumber on a former council,” he said.

City council will still have to debate the zoning changes approved by the committee.

Jennifer McIntosh is the political reporter for Metroland Media¹s Ottawa papers. She can be reached at [email protected].

http://www.ottawacommunitynews.com/news-...ardens-can-sell-produce-under-new-rules/