Farmers’ markets look to reconcile differences

I’ve talked to the other group’s president and in the discussions we had it seems like we can maybe give it a shot.

After an angry schism separated the Prince George Farmers’ Market from the Wilson Square Community Market in 2014, a pleasant warm front is now blowing them back towards each other.

The news of the Community Arts Council and Prince George Farmers’ Market receiving a new location to share (at least for a time, the details are still unfolding) in the former Bank of Montreal and UNBC building at 1310 Third Ave. has helped the thaw. Now there is plentiful parking lot space attached for a market. Or two.

Philip Myatovic, president of the farmers’ markets, said there was more room at the new location (they are opening their doors there in a matter of a few weeks) than they could use and welcomed the idea of the community market moving in beside them.

“I’ve talked to the other group’s president and in the discussions we had it seems like we can maybe give it a shot,” Myatovic said. “I want to. It makes a lot of sense, and from what I hear, it used to work well for the public. I wasn’t here then, I wasn’t part of any of that. All I see is the opportunity of it.”

The community market is committed to setting up this spring at the Pine Centre Mall parking lot in the vicinity of the former Sears Garden Centre, but president Lawrence Hewitt remembered fondly the way two markets in close proximity drew large crowds.

“This relationship is new but on firmer footing, agreeing that coordinating an auxiliary market may work and would be desirable,” Hewitt said.

“The association recently passed a motion to the effect that the executive ought to pursue avenues which may lead to the development of a public market in Prince George, while not mak-

— Philip Myatovic, farmers’ market president

ing commitments in that regard without reference to the membership as a whole.”

There is a growing number of community market members, expecting there to be about 50 vendors at the Pine Centre location this year. It is built into the language of their bylaws that they only be outdoors in their vending activities.

The farmers market has, for years, had an indoor component and would continue to do so in conjunction with the Community Arts Council. May 5 is their grand opening on Third Avenue. There are 20 to 30 vendors under their umbrella, and the new location could lead to a new vitality for them as well.

“We checked that out (using the large parking lots) with the city before we agreed to come here,” said Myatovic. “The city has really stuck its neck out for us, and we really appreciate it. We have had excellent cooperation from the city. They really want to see us all succeed.”

Both market presidents agree that working together might make the outcomes better for everyone, including the public that has an appetite for their alllocal wares.

“Food is not just something to make hunger go away,” said Hewitt. “We have a certain willingness, almost an enthusiasm,” to once again work as a team, especially since the Community Arts Council has a similar reason for being that might well complement the farmers’ bounty.