By Zachary Dayler
The crisp fall breeze is in the air, the harvest is in full swing, and Ottawa is working hard to re-open and re-establish new routines. COVID-19 has made it a very challenging and unexpected 2020 for everyone. In particular, many of the small businesses and vendors we have grown to love have taken a huge financial hit with the decline of tourism, reduced in-person shopping options, and increased operating costs.
We at Ottawa Markets want to thank all the small- business owners, farmers and vendors, artisans and shoppers who are all making an effort. Whether it’s a cup of coffee or all your groceries, getting out and shopping local is more important than ever! So if you want to say thank you to a small business, shop and support local.
Speaking of “local”, Ottawa Markets is in the process of evaluating and redrafting the rules that govern our outdoor public markets. In October we hope to submit our new procedures to the City of Ottawa for approval. We have been speaking with farmers, vendors, customers, artisans and other stakeholders to understand what we need to re-ignite our market programs. The recurring theme is LOCAL. Almost everyone we talk to has made it very clear they want unique, small-scale local farmers back! You want engaging artists, creative morsels and dynamic programming to delight the senses.
We hear you.
Some of the measures you can expect from our new procedures will be a Farmers First policy. If you are a local, regional or backyard farmer your product will be given priority and Ottawa Markets will work with you to make sure participating in either the ByWard or Parkdale public markets is a valuable experience. We will also be creating space for “Community Markets” where we will welcome the residents of Lowertown and Wellington West to come out for community sales. We are looking to have artisans making their products in front of you, artists painting outdoors, and of course high-quality performers.
This change will not happen overnight, but this is what we are working to deliver to Ottawa. We want to be home to farmers, and promoters of the best-of-the-best in local. We want to be a place where people can come and feel welcome in our communities and have access to great products and rewarding experiences.
Help us by supporting Ottawa Markets, and by sharing your opinion by filling out the community-consultation questionnaire. (See the links below.)
. And stay tuned; together as a community we are going to build something we will all be proud of!
Community Consultation Questionnaire:
Lowertown Community Association(English): https://ca.surveygizmo.com/s3/50082872/dac3ef6fd7c9
Lowertown Community Association(French): https://ca.surveygizmo.com/s3/50082872/334e4292872e
Zachary Dayler is the Executive Director of Ottawa Markets.