The Government of Canada will invest $2 million in a new farmers’ market proposed for the Halifax waterfront. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

The Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, to be located at Pier 20, will be twice as large as its current Brewery Market location and will be open six days a week. The state-of-the- art facility will also incorporate solar and wind energy technologies.

“The proposed market will greatly benefit the almost 200 rural farmers, artists and artisans who depend on selling their products directly to consumers in order to maintain their small businesses,” said Minister MacKay. “Our government recognizes that urban and rural areas are interdependent, economically, socially and environmentally and therefore rely on each other to prosper.”

“Direct producer to consumer sales is gaining strength in Nova Scotia and is one of the reasons our market needs to expand,” said Fred Kilcup, Manager of the Nova Scotia Farmers’ Market Development Cooperative Ltd. “With ACOA’s investment, the Halifax Farmers’ Market will become an even better marketplace for farmers and other Nova Scotia entrepreneurs.”

The new facility will include ground-floor rental space, some of which will be permanent storefront retail space; a mezzanine level, with seating around the perimeter to contribute to the people-friendly atmosphere of the market space; an exterior canopied market, creating more seasonal commercial space; and a rooftop terrace and gardens.

Established in 1750, the Halifax Farmers’ Market is the oldest continuously operating famers’ market in North America. The market, with an average of 6,000 customers every Saturday morning, has outgrown its available space in the Brewery Market building.

The new facility will have space for more than 200 small businesses. The daily operating schedule of the new market will provide vendors with a much larger consumer base. The market will also provide an opportunity for small business start-ups, including students from the nearby Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Located next to the cruise ship terminal, the market will also benefit from visiting cruise ship passengers.

ACOA’s investment is being made through the Innovative Communities Fund (ICF), which focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in rural communities.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

The Government of Canada is investing $2 million from ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund, in the new farmers’ market proposed for the Halifax waterfront. The announcement was made today by National Defence and ACOA Minister Peter MacKay. Minister MacKay said the Seaport Farmers’ Market will be of benefit to the almost 200 rural farmers, artists and artisans who depend on selling their products directly to consumers. The new market, which will be located at Pier 20, will be open six days a week.

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INFORMATION:

David Harrigan
Media Relations Officer
902-426-4238
david.harrigan@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Fred Kilcup
Manager
Nova Scotia Farmers’ Market Cooperative
902-492-4043