Popular home for small producers and emerging entrepreneurs will renovate to keep up with demand
January 27, 2020 – Charlottetown, PE – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Across Atlantic Canada, farmers’ markets are renowned for their wide array of fresh and healthy local produce, while helping small and emerging agri-food businesses reach new customers, introduce new products and create jobs. They’re also important tourist attractions, demonstrating the incredible bounty the region has to offer. The Charlottetown Farmers’ Market, the largest market in PEI, is a perfect example, providing space for more than 65 small-scale growers and producers, entrepreneurs and start-ups to reach a wide customer base, all year-round.
To keep up with its growing popularity, renovations to the Charlottetown Market will be completed during winter 2020. These include updating the air system and electrical service for vendors, upgrading the washroom facilities, and improving pedestrian and vehicle flow.
To help the market grow even further, the Government of Canada is providing an investment of $271,250 to the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market Co-operative Association Limited to assist with the infrastructure upgrades. The Government of Prince Edward Island, through the Department of Fisheries & Communities and Innovation PEI is supporting the project with a combined contribution of $100,000.
Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), along with the Honourable Matthew MacKay, PEI Minister of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture made the announcement today.
Quotes
“Canadians love farmers’ markets – both for their delicious, fresh produce and for the important contribution they make to the economies of rural and urban areas. This important investment will create local jobs, help bring more tourists to the Island and open up new opportunities for businesses in the food sector, from primary producers to start-ups. This builds on our government’s efforts to help food businesses across Atlantic Canada grow, innovate and diversify their offerings, and aligns well with our Federal Tourism Growth Strategy.”
– Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages
“The Charlottetown Farmers’ Market is a cultural hub and celebrated gathering space in our City. It is also an essential driver for our economy, particularly for small businesses and agri-food entrepreneurs. So many great companies have been launched from this vibrant community space. I’m pleased to announce a Government of Canada investment through ACOA to help the market adapt and grow.”
– Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown
“The farmers market is not just a retail space, it is an important social space and somewhere where our agricultural and fisheries producers can meet face to face with the people who enjoy their food. We are proud to support this gathering place for rural and urban Islanders.”
– Honourable Jamie Fox, Minister of Fisheries and Communities
“We are proud to support the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market as it’s a direct investment in small businesses across the province. The market brings together farmers, food producers, chefs, artisans, community and visitors to eat, meet and enjoy the local luxuries our Island has to offer. ”
-Honourable Matthew MacKay, PEI Minister of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture
“This welcome infusion will help us root and preserve our diverse food culture, promote healthy fair food in a community space for all people to share while supporting our local producers and artisans”
– Bernie Plourde, Manager, Charlottetown Farmers’ Market
Quick Facts:
- Established in 1981, the 9,000 square foot Market includes over 65 year-round vendors, in addition to several seasonal (summer and Christmas) vendors. It is managed by a volunteer board of directors and a full-time manager.
- The Government of Canada is investing $271,250 in this project through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund. The Government of Prince Edward Island, through the Department of Fisheries & Communities and Innovation PEI is contributing $100,000.
- The Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in Atlantic Canadian communities.
- Eligible recipients include non-commercial/not-for-profit organizations such as local development associations, municipalities and their agencies, business or technology institutes, industry/sector associations, economic development associations, local co-operatives, universities and educational institution.
- The ICF continues to build on the objectives of the Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it.
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