Satellite market embraces downtown
It’s definitely worth the extra bit of effort required by Ranjeet Gill to sell some of his fruit directly to customers rather than through the traditional packinghouse route.
When he’s manning a booth at the Kelowna Farmers Market, every peach sold puts more money in his family’s pocket with the elimination of the wholesaling, distribution, and retailing middlemen.
“It’s about twice as much money for us to sell here,” Gill said Sunday at the last downtown market of the season, held on St. Paul Street just north of Bernard Avenue. “It’s good for the customers, too, because here the fruit is fresh from our farm, not just store fresh.”
This was the first year the Kelowna Farmers Market had experimented with a satellite market on St. Paul Street, to go along with the main Saturday market near Orchard Park Mall.
Last year, there was a downtown market on Bernard Avenue. But vendors selling ready-to-eat food were not permitted, as downtown restaurant owners objected to the perceived competition.
By moving to St. Paul Street, the restriction against certain types of vendors was relaxed.
“This year, we could have our bakers and our food trucks,” marketing co-ordinator Frances Callaghan said. “I’d say this season has been a huge success.
“People want us to come back here next year. We’ve done surveys with our vendors, and they’ve been satisfied with the business they’ve drawn. With the smoke, August was a little slow for us, but other than that it’s been great.”
About 50 vendors typically set up tables at the Sunday satellite market, compared to about 200 at the more established main Saturday market. The main market continues outdoors until Nov. 4.