October 26, 2006

Research undertaken by the UNBC School of Environmental Planningindicates that the local Farmers’ Market has emerged as a majorcontributor to the City’s downtown, pumping $794,000 into the localeconomy.

The research was completed by professor David Connell, who worked witha group of students to survey market customers in September. On theirassessment day (September 9), they estimate that 1938 people visitedthe market. Among those, more than 300 people participated in thesurvey and the findings illustrate the importance of the market to therevitalization of the downtown:

•    Based on the number of visitors and their reportedspending, the annual economic impact of the Farmers’ Market isestimated at $794,000
•    84% of respondents came downtown specifically for the Farmers’ Market
•    55% attend the market regularly, at least two or three times per month
•    64% of respondents attending the Market indicatedthat they would also visit neighbouring businesses while downtown
•    The economic impact of that additional spending at neighbouring businesses was estimated at $402,000.

“Our research has shown that the Farmers’ Market has had a strongpositive influence on downtown Prince George,” says Dr. Connell. “Thisis borne out by the hard numbers as well as the opinions of marketattendees and neighbouring businesses who – almost without exception –see the Farmers’ Market as very positive aspect of the downtown. Theresults give us a glimpse of what the potential benefits would be of ayear-round market.”

The Prince George Farmers’ Market is held Saturday morning in WilsonSquare from May to October. It typically features up to 55 vendors whosell items that are either grown or crafted locally. The study of thelocal market is being added to a broader research project on thefarmers’ markets in 26 BC communities. Financial and in-kind supporthas been provided by participating farmers’ markets, InvestmentAgriculture Foundation, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, and theUniversity of Northern British Columbia.

For details of the research, click here.

Contact:
David Connell, Environmental Planning professor, UNBC – 250.960.5835
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC - 250.960.5622