Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

Farmers evicted from Peterborough market

Farmers evicted from Peterborough market

Seven producers called for transparency among vendors

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

A group of Ontario producers are no longer welcome at their local farmers market.

Seven growers recently lost their booths at the Peterborough Farmers’ Market after they spoke out about a lack of transparency at the market more than a year ago.

Other vendors were reselling produce they’d bought at a wholesale food terminal as locally grown.

The producers’ concerns led to a CBC Marketplace investigation in 2017, which found similar practices occurring at other farmers markets.

Customers have a right to know the origins of the products they’re buying, said Astrid Manske, a honey producer from Indian River, Ont., and one of the seven evicted farmers.

“It’s the lack of honesty in the resellers that’s the problem,” she told Farms.com today. “There’s also an issue with the governance of the market not dealing with that problem.”

The growers were ejected in part by their peers.

Manske defended herself in front of the Peterborough & District Farmers’ Market Association (PDFMA) in January.

Members received a handout outlining the possible effects of the vote to exclude some growers.

The market would return to normal if all the producers were evicted, but there could be “bullying” or a “campaign of malice” if some or all of them remained, the flyer said.


Photo courtesy of Astrid Manske

At the time, the PDFMA board voted to allow Manske and the other vendors to continue operating their booths.

But the PDFMA overturned that decision and presented five growers with eviction notices on Apr. 24, said a joint statement from Manske, Julie Fleming and Erin McLean, all evicted producers.

Manske is now in a difficult position without a consistent market for her honey, she said.

“We’re sort of in limbo at the moment and we’ll have to find some other venues to keep on top of some income,” she said. “This is going to hurt for a bit until we can find some sort of balance. But I really just feel like I’m letting my customers down.”

PDFMA has developed a signage system.

Product identification signs tell customers how involved the vendor is with the production of their items.

“We Grow” – The farmer or vendor grows 100 per cent of the produce they offer.

“We Support” – The farmer or vendor doesn’t grow, raise or produce the product, but supports Ontario agriculture, education or local organizations.

“We Raise” – The seller raises 100 per cent of the product. This designation isn’t limited to animals for food consumption or domestic use.

“We Produce” – The seller produces 100 per cent of the product. This designation isn’t limited to food production, artisans, crafts and services.

PDFMA began working on the signage campaign before the CBC investigation, according to the Peterborough Farmers’ Market Facebook page.


Trending Video

The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.

 

Comments


Your email address will not be published