Crystal Beach market gets a $50,000 boost
A recent grant to the Crystal Beach Farmers Market was made possible through the work of community volunteers and Niagara Region.
Advancing Crystal Beach (ACB) applied with Niagara Prosperity Initiative (NPI) for the grant to hire a market manager and help with advertising efforts. The $50,688 grant not only helps to create market awareness and activities, but the vendors will benefit, too.
Orma Bleeks, president of ACB, says the group listened to the voices of the vendors and the community.
“Part of the grant money is to help vendors develop business plans and we are hoping to help increase their incomes,” she says.
NPI wants the same outcome for vendors and the rest of the community through this grant.
Lori Watson, director of social assistance and employment opportunities with Niagara Region, says the municiplaity decided to provide this grant based on community need from the 2016 residents open space forum that identified food insecurity and low income as a concern. She says the market also has a lot of potential to grow and it is an asset for building community and engaging individuals who may not otherwise be inclined.
“This grant helps create a financially sustainable weekly market that offers opportunities for vendors to increase revenues from sales of produce and products. It offers local access to local produce and products and improves employment opportunities and income generation for low income residents of Crystal Beach and Fort Erie,” Watson says.
ACB tries to promote a connection of people in the community and the market is one way to achieve that goal. Bleeks says it is evident with a visit to the market with the friendly hellos to the produce vendor teaching children how to grow vegetables.
Corinne O’Neill is taking the role as the new market manager after volunteering with ACB.
“I think Crystal Beach is a hidden gem. This grant will help the local vendors and the wider Niagara Region. After the market people can stay and enjoy all the area has to offer, which benefits everyone,” she says.
NPI projects are selected based on recommendations made from a review committee made up of community members from across Niagara. The NPI review committee focuses on neighbourhood based interventions and development to increase prosperity for Niagara residents living in poverty.
The Crystal Beach Farmers Market is held every Sunday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Crystal Chandelier and will head indoors after Thanksgiving.