BRIANNA BOLAND THE SOUTH SHORE BREAKER
National Farmers Market Week is celebrated across North America every year. If you’ve ever been to the market and spoke to the vendors, you’ve probably noticed how much the market means to them and their families. But, what is a little harder to notice while strolling between the tents and picnic tables is how important this market — and all of the others in Nova Scotia — is to the economy. Nova Scotia farmers markets are powerful economic drivers for their communities, as they are singly responsible for moving about $43,757.51 to local agricultural producers and small businesses each market day, according to a 2013 Nova Scotia Farmers’ Market Economic Impact Study. Collectively, farmers markets can be said to contribute $1,881,572.93 to Nova Scotia’s economy per market day. “How is all of that money generated by markets?” you might wonder. Well, there are many sources.
The most obvious contributor are sales made by vendors. Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia (FMNS) reports that the average shopper at a Nova Scotia market spends an average of $16.50 per visit, and spends 23 per cent of their household food budget at a market. That money goes directly back to the farmers and crafters, and is circulated in the local economy when purchasing and using the resources that are necessary to make or grow their product. A second contributor is the additional money spent by market customers at local businesses. Shoppers expect to spend an average of $15.37 on eating and shopping while they are in the area to visit the market. This extra spending supports the economy by helping small businesses create more employment opportunities and continue to grow. To take it one step further, nationally, 55 per cent of vendors reported having created at least five jobs as a result of selling at a market, according to the 2009 National Farmers’ Market Impact Study Report. This creation of jobs stimulates economic growth through increased consumer spending, and thus, increased demand for services and products. Farmers markets have a significant role in the community and economy that are easy to miss if you don’t look hard enough.
The goal of National Farmers Market Week is to increase awareness of the role local farmers markets play in creating healthy communities, and in building prosperity among farmers and small businesses. The Bridgewater Farmers’ Market does this by organizing children’s activities that create friendships and educate youth about their food, and by providing direct farm sales to eager shoppers 27 days a year, thus supporting vendors that live in the community. Farmers markets support Nova Scotia’s small and diversified farms, as well as crafters and other producers and circulate money back into our local economies.
The Bridgewater Farmers’ Market began in 2009 and its goal is to provide locally-grown and homemade products to the community. Located in the heart of downtown Bridgewater, the market is a great place to meet new people, support local farmers and businesses and much more. Bring your friends and family, let the kids enjoy a free children’s activity, grab a bite to eat while you enjoy some music from local artists with unique sound.
