A push for a summer farmers market in Banff – similar to one in neighbouring Canmore – is gaining momentum.
Jolene Brewster and Rene Geber are proposing a farmers market in Central Park every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., starting at the end of June and running through the September Labour Day weekend.
Dubbed the Banff Mountain Market, Brewster said the market will give farmers, gardeners, food producers and artisans an opportunity to sell their products.
If approved by Banff town council, she said the farmers market would include musicians and artists, as well as Glen’s Fruit Truck, which has been part of the community for close to two decades.
“We think this is a wonderful opportunity and will create an enjoyable sense of community,” said Brewster.
At a meeting (April 26) council directed administration to return with a report and request for decision on the proposal, including what other regional markets are doing.
The biggest stumbling blocks appeared to be a shortage of parking spaces due to those taken by the market, plus business licence fees and unfair competition with retailers in town.
“I think the market will be animation for the town and I think the idea has a lot of merit,” said Mayor Karen Sorensen. “But there are a lot of concerns that have to be worked through.”
Council was also presented with an onslaught of letters of support from members of the public and local businesses.
Katie Tuff, general manager of The Bison Restaurant and The Bear Street Tavern, said markets are alive and people simply love them.
“I have been a resident in many countries, and a tourist in many more, and I can honestly say that some of my fondest memories of the towns and cities I have visited have been of stumbling across markets,” she said.
“When a town has a venue to showcase its local specialities, it’s always of interest. The rows of taco stands in Mexico, the fruit vendors in Osoyoos, the back alley market in Beijing where they serve scorpions on a stick, the organic veggie market in East Berlin, the Christmas market in Bragg Creek.”
Ossi Treutler Jr. also voiced his support, but with some conditions. “I do believe it is a good thing for both our residents and visitors. My support is conditional that any artist or non-produce related retail vendors are limited to Banff residents only.”
“I am okay with farmers coming in selling their produce, chickens, eggs, meats, fruits, vegetables, etc.; I am not in support of any farmer’s market vendors that would be in direct competition with a locally-owned business or artist.”
Long-term resident Nancy Knechtel wrote of her support.
“Farmers markets provide people a place to come together as a community,” she said. “It would also provide an additional attraction for tourists visiting our community, and give them an opportunity to experience the local spirit of our mountain community.”
Brewster, who owns Natur’el Tea in Banff’s industrial compound, said they do not want the market to detract from the businesses on Banff Avenue and Bear Street.
There was a letter of opposition from About Canada, which stated – “To allow the farmers market knowing that its opportunistic cost base and its location will hurt those businesses would be both short-sighted and destructive.”
