Efforts to bring farmers back to ByWard Market
The ByWard Market District Authority is trying to bring farmers back to the ByWard Market.
CTV's Jackie Perez reports.
FEB. 1, 2024
More details on ByWard Market District Authority subsidies for farmers and community members:
To support and encourage a diverse offering and as part of the revitalization effort, the ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA) is offering free vending for farmers in the ByWard Public Market - this means there are no licencing or application fees.
In addition to waiving farmers' licensing or application fees, the BMDA is committed to supporting historically marginalized and underrepresented groups and entrepreneurs who are starting or building up their businesses.
Public markets are a place for everyone, and the BMDA is pleased to offer the following subsidies:
Parkdale Food Centre Youth Program - Applicants from the Parkdale Food Centre Youth Program have their licence fee waived and receive their first three vending dates free of charge.
Chef Ric’s Food Services Training Program - Graduates of Chef Ric’s culinary program have their licence fee waived and receive their first three vending dates free of charge.
Chnge Mker Innovation Hub - Participants in the Incubator program have their licence fee waived and receive their first three vending dates free of charge.
BIPOC Farmers' Initiative - Recognizing the disproportionate impact of institutional and systemic racism on BIPOC communities both historically and currently in Canadian agriculture, BMDA’s goal is to help remove barriers that prevent Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour - farmers, growers, gatherers, hunters, and fishers from participating in our markets and accessing clientele in Ottawa. The BIPOC Farmers' Initiative (BFI) aims to provide access and support for vendors of Black and Indigenous descent as well as People of Colour, including those who identify as trans, disabled, queer, have marginalized religious identities, or share lived experiences as first-generation farmers or makers by offering a free seasonal market stand in our markets.
Indigenous Producers - Recognizing the legacy of oppression and systemic racism that has targeted Canada's Indigenous Peoples, the BMDA strives to help remove barriers that prevent Indigenous people from participating in Ottawa's Public Markets Program and accessing clientele in Ottawa. This goal is highlighted by the recognition that Ottawa exists on the unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation, whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial.
In order to support, foster access, and opportunity and amplify Indigenous voices, foodways, and traditions, BMDA will offer free vending spaces to Indigenous producers. This does not extend to our retail categories (importers, wholesalers). If you or someone you know is an Indigenous maker, baker, artisan, grower, forager, fisher, farmer, or creator, we encourage you to apply and share the news so that together, we can create a more diverse and representative market experience for everyone!
If the above subsidies apply to you, contact the team at info@bmda.ca or complete our online application to participate in the ByWard Public Market.
- The ByWard Market District Authority