Save the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market

It is astounding that city council is considering terminating the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market lease, which means our local food growers and producers would have to leave the current site. The reason given is that council wants the building and square to be more “animated.”

This proposal overlooks the incredible impact the market has made on the surrounding community. Prior to its redevelopment, this building was an underutilized warehouse for the city’s electrical department. Now, the market is not only a place we can go to buy fresh food and support local producers, but it is also a social hub and a must-visit spot for tourists. It has stimulated reinvestment in Riversdale and brought people from all over the city together for a unique, shared experience.

Unlike many larger urban markets, the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market is where we buy our carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, and lettuce directly from the farmers. We chat with them about the varieties they sell, ask questions and taste new products. This provides a valuable educational experience for city dwellers, as well as an opportunity to get to know our local farmers.

Producers cannot staff a booth every day of the week and still have the time to grow the food they sell. If we value quality food from local producers, we must urge city council to keep the farmers in their current market location in Riversdale.

John J. Penner and Betsy Rosenwald, Saskatoon