05/May 08

Quietening the markets

BRIGHTON- Farmers’ Markets Ontario (FMO) has proposed a new certification program for local farmers and farmers’ markets. The ‘Certified Local Farmers’ Market’ is being proposed to help create a fair and level playing field for Ontario’s farmers who sell at local markets, as well as providing access to more market opportunities.

Another objective of the proposal is to better identify local producers so that consumers will recognize them, their products and provide confidence in the source of the goods.

"Visiting a farmers’ market used to mean choosing between one local farmer’s corn and another’s eggs," says Robert Chorney, Executive Director of Farmers’ Markets Ontario. "Today, it often means sifting through imported products to find the Ontario tomatoes and peas. This certification initiative would help distinguish between local farmers and other non-farmer vendors, which is important to those consumers who have a growing interest in buying locally grown food and in supporting the real farmer."

The proposal was presented at FMO’s recent Annual General Meeting and networking conference in St. Catharines. Recommendations include establishing a process to ensure that farmers are actively farming and that products sold are consistent with the farmer’s crop plan. The proposal also includes criteria for recognizing value-added products, for example apple cider, baked goods, sausages, etc.

"There’s no question that there are tangible benefits for both the consumer and the farmer," says Philip Powell, Chair of FMO and Manager of the City of Ottawa’s Markets. "There’s a huge demand for local food today, driven by consumers’ need to know where and how the food they feed their families was grown and to conserve energy by sourcing food locally. With this initiative, FMO will be able to expand the positive impact of farmers’ markets on the local community." FMO’s board of directors will be actively involved in moving this proposal forward. As of the AGM, that includes five new directors who were elected to the board. The 2008 Board of Directors is composed of: Executive- Philip Powell, Chair, Ottawa; Mike O’Shea, Vice-Chair, Granton; Diane Garrington, Treasurer, St Catharines; Shaun Funk, At Large, Chesterville. Eastern region directors are - Sam McLean, Peterborough; Shaun Funk, Chesterville; Philip Powell, Ottawa. Farmers’ Markets Ontario is a provincial association representing over 135 farmers’ markets in Ontario. FMO’s vision is to be the dynamic network and voice of Ontario’s Farmers’ Markets and their traditions, committed to leadership, development, management, promotion and representation. FMO is a results-driven organization with a volunteer board of directors that represents the diversity of farmers’ markets across Ontario. FMO serves a positive and constructive role in ensuring that farmers’ markets provide direct access for local growers to consumers. Every director is actively involved in one or more of their local farmers’ markets as a leader, manager or vendor. Farmers’ markets in Ontario serve more than one million regular shoppers across the province every year, with a revenue exceeding $700-million. The economic impact of farmers’ markets in Ontario is greater than $2-billion annually. Farmers’ Markets Ontario benefits from a long-standing, valued partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.