Farmers’ markets brace for a potential fee hike that could put them out of business
Fears are spreading throughout the Toronto Farmers’ Market Network that participants at city markets might soon be on the receiving end of a large user fee increase from the city. Anne Freeman of the Dufferin Grove market and Carolyn Wong of Trinity Bellwoods are just two of the market organizers who have been circulating a petition in an attempt to head off the hike. “You don’t attack your food source,” a frustrated Wong told The Dish.
The concerns were sparked after a little birdie alerted market organizers that the special events permit fees that markets pay may be on the rise in a big way this fall. Currently, the fees are subject to a three per cent annual increase, but the rumour mill suggests that a much larger one may be on the horizon. If that happens, organizers warn it could mark the end of local markets as we know them.
According to the TFMN, farmers who drive into town are already struggling, with many bringing in only enough revenue to cover insurance and gas. What keeps them coming back is the direct interaction with patrons and the promotional value of immersing themselves in local communities. Many have linked up with community-supported agriculture programs or have teams to hit various markets at once to make it worth the trip to the big city. Freeman and the TFMN are using the petition—which can be signed at most markets and online—as advance leverage for the fall, when the fee increase proposal is expected.
• A Message From The Toronto Farmers’ Market Network: Your Support Is Needed [TFMN]
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Fears are spreading throughout the Toronto Farmers’ Market Network that participants at city markets might soon be on the receiving end of a large user fee increase from the city. Anne Freeman of the Dufferin Grove market and Carolyn Wong of Trinity Bellwoods are just two of the market organizers who have been circulating a petition in an attempt to head off the hike. “You don’t attack your food source,” a frustrated Wong told The Dish.
The concerns were sparked after a little birdie alerted market organizers that the special events permit fees that markets pay may be on the rise in a big way this fall. Currently, the fees are subject to a three per cent annual increase, but the rumour mill suggests that a much larger one may be on the horizon. If that happens, organizers warn it could mark the end of local markets as we know them.
According to the TFMN, farmers who drive into town are already struggling, with many bringing in only enough revenue to cover insurance and gas. What keeps them coming back is the direct interaction with patrons and the promotional value of immersing themselves in local communities. Many have linked up with community-supported agriculture programs or have teams to hit various markets at once to make it worth the trip to the big city. Freeman and the TFMN are using the petition—which can be signed at most markets and online—as advance leverage for the fall, when the fee increase proposal is expected.
• A Message From The Toronto Farmers’ Market Network: Your Support Is Needed [TFMN]){kind=link}
Good job, Ford…Who else can we put out of work?
Give him a year and Ford will have Toronto looking like Calgary. Low taxes, very few services and lots of user fees.
If the high fees for markets come in , the stall owners will have to raise their prices. Ford looks like a hero for balancing the budget without raising taxes and the poor Toronto resident now pays more for fresh produce. Who’s the winner here?
Once again, our new Ford ™ city government strikes down something good in our city.
Once again, let’s hit what is easiest….food, health, community, does it ever end?
I love our city’s farmer’s markets (especially that awesome one at the brickworks.) If I had to pay more for produce that I get there so the farmers/growers can make a fair income, I’m okay with that.
You don’t attack your source of overpriced, poorly baked, gluten-free, vegan carob-chip cookies!!!
buy your food at walmart
Without knowing what the actual fees are it is difficult to assess whether they should be raised. That said, there is nothing to prevent vendors at farmers’ markets from renting space from private landlords if they believe the fees are unfair.
The fact that there seem be to few, if any, farmers’ markets on private property suggests that the fees the city is charging are too low. If that is the case, why should Toronto taxpayers be subsidizing the vendors and buyers who are the chief beneficiaries of the current policy?
What would one expect from a man who obviously doesn’t eat enough fruits and vegetables? The city would probably do far better if he laid down a “fat tax” on the fast food joints and vendors at The Ex!
If you know Allan Gardens in the city center…there is an unused paved road running north to south through the middle.
This is an ideal location for (a) a farmers market (b) a flower market on weekends (c) a Christmas market in the winter. The condo’s and hotels are jammed around this park and it has the added attraction of the Historic Conservatory. Washrooms as well. A few food venders and this could be the new new hot spot to shot year round.
Libraries, markets, what else good in this city can you kill? Local farmers cannot afford the markets, people can buy their foreign pesticide laden food at Walmart – gee what healthy thinking that is !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, Mr Ford, why do you hate farmer’s markets? Don’t you have them in Etobicoke? Maybe you should. Fresh, locally grown food is actually a good thing on many levels: it’s fresher and more nutritious, fewer resources are used to transport it, it supports local agriculture. You can still get processed foods at Loblaw’s, if you prefer, but do not take away one of Toronto’s markets.
Mr Ford seems determined to kill out city.
Oh for gawd’s sake, what’s next? How about Ford starts taxing those pesky three-year-olds on their tricycles? Ooo, how about fines for small dogs ‘cuz they’re not manly enough? Speaking of men, how about tickets for men wearing a pink shirt? How about,…