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.