Cities like San Francisco, Portland and New York are facing a problem most people didn't expect: an overabundance of farmers' markets. Vancouver's planners are keeping the numbers trimmed to make sure the current markets don't wither and die.
Reporter Frances Bula talks with Tara McDonald, executive director of Vancouver Farmers Markets, who says that they get requests all the time to start new markets but they are very careful to keep the balance and make sure the current markets get enough business:
"...our organization looks at which neighbourhoods are ready. Markets take at least five years to establish, and we are making sure markets are not on top of each other." says McDonald.
Bula writes:
"Suburban markets in places such as Coquitlam and Surrey report that their vendors tell them they think there are too many markets, with too few farmers chasing around after the same shoppers."
Read the full story: Vancouver farmers’ markets struggle to avoid other cities’ mistakes
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