Market evictions prompt protest

Customers upset over ouster of five local vendors

Six protesters gathered on the sidewalk outside the farmers’ market on Saturday morning to register their dismay over this week’s eviction of five local farmers.

“This is an unbelievable market - and now it’s got a taint on it,” said Ron Bestard, who held up a sign that said ‘Expel Market Board’.

“Any board that lets that happen has to resign - they’ve lost the confidence,” he said.

Saturday was the start of the outdoor season for the market. Earlier in the week, five local producers were evicted: McLean’s Berry Farm, Circle Organic, Otonabee Apiary, Gaelic Garlic and Chef Marshall.

The eviction letter states cites several reasons for the terminations: the farmers disparaged the board and the market, for example, gossiped and spread rumours and called for the board of directors to disband.

Meanwhile there are still re-sellers at the market - poeple who buy produce from places such as the Ontario Food Terminal without necessarily advertising it to customers.

Cindy Hope, president of the Peterborough and District Farmers’

Market Associaion (PDFMA - the market’s board of directors) has a booth at the market but wasn’t there on Saturday.

She hasn’t been available for interview since news of the evictions broke on Tuesday. Neither has Mark Jones, marketing director for the PDFMA.

Ruth Bishop, who used to shop at the market before the controversy, protested the evictions on Saturday.

She was met with mixed reaction: while some customers approached her on their way in the market to say they agree with her, others were unhappy.

“I’m not boycotting!” called one shopper, as she walked past the protest. “Sorry!”

But Bishop said she’s not asking anyone to boycott.

She said she wants the city, as the market’s landlord, to ensure the place is operated fairly.

Bishop said she’s not out to hurt hardworking farmers and producers as they try to make a living.

“I’m not threatening that,” she said. “We’re here to start discussions.”

That wasn’t everyone’s stance, though: one protester later joined with a sign that said simply ‘Boycott’.

‘‘ This is an unbelievable market and now it’s got a taint on it. RON BESTARD PROTESTOR

Arthur Herold said that after 30 years of shopping at the market, he won’t spend any more money there.

When asked whether he thinks a boycott will hurt the vendors who are simply trying to make a living, he had this to say: “The purpose of a boycott is to pressure. It’s up to them (vendors) to pressure their board to do the right thing.”

Inside the market, Coun. Lesley Parnell was selling tickets on a raffle to benefit the new Brock Mission. She spoke in strong support of all vendors present on Saturday.

When asked whether she thinks the city should do more to rectify the controversy, she said no.

“It’s an independant board,” she said, adding that former city CAO Allan Seabrooke has worked with the market to ensure they develop a strategic plan, for example.

“And they brought in the signage,” she said, pointing to signs that say ‘We Grow’ or “We Support,’ which indicate which food was locally grown and which produce comes from outside the Peterborough region.

“Please remember: there are still many local people here who depend on this market for their livelihood,” she said.

One vendor said the crowds were somewhat thinner than usual, around 9 a.m. Saturday. There were also noticeable gaps where booths used to be.

But Amanda Martin of Batten’s Country Choice Honey - whose bee yards are on the outskirts of the city - said there could be several reasons for that.

Many people had cleanup to do from the storm the evening before, she noted, which may have kept some customers away.

Also, there could be some farmers missing because the April snow meant planting happened later than usual.