Public Market
Place Proposal Presented by
Prince George Farmers’
Market Association
Who we are
Incorporated in 1995
Celebrating our 20th
anniversary in downtown
Prince George this year
Operating as the PGFMA at
Wilson square since 1997
Expanded the operations of
the PGFMA in 2010
becoming the first year
round Farmers’ Market in BC
The PGFMA had its year round home at the old Morrison Men’s Wear building (3rd and George) for the next 2 years
Moved to 6th Avenue in 2012 continuing to operate as a year round Market
Operated a seasonal market at Wilson Square until August 2nd 2014
Relocated all operations of the PGFMA to the 6th Avenue while maintaining business licence and road closure agreement for Wilson Square
Estimated economic impact
on the local economy is
$794,000 annually*
Estimated number of Market
visitors per year - 34,109
60% of Market visitors
welcome a year round
market downtown**
Majority of Prince George
residents would shop at a
year round Public Market
Customers would follow the
PGFMA where ever they are
based on in house survey
We Heart Local
Awards 2014
Prince George Farmers
Market is voted the Favorite
Farmers Market in BC
Over 37,000 votes in 15
categories
Public Market Space
Streets are closed to
motorized vehicles
Streets are opened to
pedestrian and alternative
modes of transportation
Streets become “paved
parks” welcoming people of
all ages, abilities, social,
economic and ethnic
backgrounds to come out
and enjoy downtown
together
Benefits
For Agriculture and Businesses
Promotes and supports local agriculture
Raises environmental awareness
Provides a major outlet source for locally produced food products and craft/artisan items
Welcomes home based businesses and multicultural vendors to provide diversity
Provides the customer a larger selection of products
Benefits
Social Benefits
Encourage free interaction
of people of all ages
Create opportunity to
celebrate local heritage
and history
Ideal setting for family
outings and meeting friends
Enhance retail activity
Multi-function use
Benefits
Impact on Downtown
Revitalization
Provides an essential piece
to the downtown landscape
Creates a strong draw of
people downtown
Contributes to the
community identity
Establishes a unique place
where people would shop
for fresh food and other
local products, socialize and
congregate
Collaboration and partnerships
Canfor Community Pancake Breakfast
Fire Truck Pull – United Way
Multicultural Market Fair - IMSS
Welcome PG Fair – Welcome PG
Downtown Market Fair – Prince George Community Foundation
Working with local businesses
Canada Winter Games
Choose your path, leave your
tracks and journey with us !
Change is Good
People resist change
because it brings feelings of
fear of the unknown
It takes much more energy
and effort to resist change
than it does to accept it
It’s much easier to embrace
change than to fight it
Change is learning. Learning
is growing
Change is opportunity to
make things better
Before After
Yes… Change is good !
Agriculture in Prince
George
Limited variety compared to
other regions
Short growing season
Requires innovative
practices
Public Market provides more
opportunity for producers
BCAFM Food nutrition
coupon program
BC Association of
Farmers’ Markets
“Farmers Market means a
market comprised exclusively
(100%) of vendors who make,
bake, grow or raise the
products they sell, of which a
majority of vendors are selling
farm products of British
Columbia origin”
The Market as a
business
Need for good management
No public funding
Operating income comes from membership dues and vendor stall fees
Membership dues and vendors stall fees are essential to the PGFMA survival
Core expenses: Market Manager wages, Advertising, Insurance, Rent, Property Taxes, Business Licenses, Utilities and Office supplies
Market Vendors
Limited number of vendors
meet the definition of the
BCAFM
Restricted geographic area
Historic peak - 60 vendors
PGFMA vendors sell at UNBC
and UNBC
Difficult to keep a ratio of
40% food vendors
Conclusion
A Public Market Space would
become the downtown focal
point every Saturday
Create a sense a belonging
and place in our community
Ability to attract far more
customers
Provide the blueprint of the
establishment of a
permanent Year Round
Public Market
Conclusion (cont’d)
Increase the profitability of
farm producers
Act as a business incubator
that provide a low risk
environment for start-ups
Encourage proliferation of
new businesses
Provide a venue for diverse
cultural expression
We support
The City proposal to designate the streets adjacent to the Veterans Plaza, the Plaza itself and 6th Avenue as the 2015 Prince George Public Market Space
We agree that the PGFMA retain its space on 6th Avenue and the leased building and parking lot space for its vendors
We support the addition of the Wilson Square Community Market to the Prince George Public Market Space as proposed
We agree that the remaining available space will be non-exclusive and available for other community stakeholders
City of Prince George
References
* David J. Connell, Teresa Taggart, Kyle Hillman, and Adam Humphrey
(2006). Community and Economic Impacts of Farmers Markets in B.C.:
Provincial Report. School of Environmental Planning, University of
Northern British Columbia
** Roman Muntener (2013). Prince George Farmers’ Market Customer
Pool.