Through a combined investment of almost $75,000 from the Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada, the St. John’s Farmers’ Market Cooperative will implement a marketing plan to raise awareness about the new Community Market facility in St. John’s.
Bernard Davis, Parliamentary Secretary for Service NL, on behalf of the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, today announced an investment of $23,375 from the Regional Development Fund. This builds on the $490,000 investment by the Provincial Government to support the capital construction that is assisting the St. John’s Farmers’ Market to relocate to a new space. Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, announced an investment of $51,425 from ACOA’s Business Development Program.
The St. John’s Farmers’ Market Cooperative launches its new and extended season today at a brand new facility in the former Metro Bus depot on Freshwater Road. This 14,000 square foot market offers seven times more space than the former location and includes a commercial kitchen, community room, café, dining area and outdoor plaza. The new market will be open on Saturdays and Wednesdays and serve as a community space and rental venue during the rest of the week. The marketing plan includes branding, website development, promotional materials, enhanced signage, and media advertising to bring awareness to the new location and re-opening.
This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy by helping the region’s tourism industry attract more visitors and create new jobs across the region. This bold new approach is in line with Canada’s Tourism Vision, which seeks to make Canada a top-ten global tourism destination by 2025.
As committed in the Agriculture Sector Work Plan, this is another example of the Provincial Government’s support for farmers’ markets. This initiative delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“Co-operatives share internationally agreed principles including working for the sustainable development of their communities. The St. John’s Farmer’s Market Co-operative demonstrates a commitment to this principle every day, bringing people together to meet common goals and to advance social and economic development opportunities. Social enterprise activity is evident in all regions of our province, and I commend the St. John’s Farmer’s Market Co-operative for their hard work and dedication to achieve their vision.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
“Through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, we are challenging the status quo. It’s about doing things differently. We’re applying new thinking and a new level of collaboration to target economic growth. The new St. John’s Community Market facility demonstrates this Strategy in action – it brings people together from diverse backgrounds to create innovative opportunities for farmers, crafters and food producers.”
Honourable Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“I applaud the St. John’s Farmers’ Market Cooperative for its vision and leadership on this project. This new St. John’s Community Market building will be one of the best community venues in the city. It will allow even more support for entrepreneurs and new businesses so they might eventually find their way to permanent homes in the community and create jobs and economic growth.”
Nick Whalen
Member of Parliament for St. John’s East
”The energy behind this project from the community, from our volunteers, from our staff, and from our funding partners has been incredible. We’re so happy to have created a new space for local production to grow and for the community to gather. It has been a labour of love.”
Josh Smee
Chair of the St. John’s Farmers’ Market Cooperative Board of Directors
”It truly takes a community to build such an inspired space. Every square inch of this new Community Market has been designed to be accessible and welcoming to all who enter. This could not have happened without the vision, the tenacity and the hard labour of countless community members. We are grateful to each and every one of you. The kettle is on; the doors are open. Welcome to your new home.”
Ann Connors
Executive Director, St. John’s Farmers’ Market Cooperative
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Learn More
St. John’s Farmer’s Market
stjohnsfarmersmarket.org
The Way Forward
www.gov.nl.ca/thewayforward
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @TCII_GovNL
Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
Paul McGrath
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
paul.mcgrath@canada.ca
Joshua Smee
St. John’s Farmers’ Market Cooperative
709-725-3049
exec@stjohnsfarmersmarket.org