Farmers’ market no longer ‘vibrant,’ says life-long city resident

Re: Photography OK at market, but zero-tolerance for harassment, Aug. 25.

I was just reading thise article and there was a comment in there, I believe from the mayor, about the Saturday market being “vibrant.”

I have visited the market on exactly two occasions this summer - only two - and I can tell you that this is no longer the case. Where in past years you had rows full of stalls of a wide variety of produce and other products - the selection has dwindled dramatically. I can only surmise that this is due to the ongoing issues with the board and the members of the market. As a lifelong resident of Peterborough and someone who has utilized the market regularly - it is very disappointing to go and see all of the empty spaces and to miss out on the wonderful products that used to be offered by local growers, artisans and bakers.

I don’t understand what the issue is with resellers simply identi fying themselves as such - why not just give people the information? Markets like the Byward Market in Ottawa clearly identify resellers and growers with a small sign in the corner of the booth. I can tell you from experience that when I have been there - there doesn’t seem to be a difference in the traffic from one to the other.

Shouldn’t the goal be to educate consumers and give them be an honest retailer? I would be more likely to shop from a business that is forthright than from one to chooses to only give half truths.

Also, I would suggest that the board look hard at itself and the way it is managing the market if it wants to continue to exist - because from what I saw this year - it won’t be around too much longer.

Perhaps there will be another group that will step forward, as the CAO suggested, to bring the market back to its former glory? One can only hope. Wendy Davis Ellesmere Ave.