The Time Has Come

Vancouver Island has a fantastic mix of passionate primary food producers, processors and restauranteurs, and showcasing that talent and abundance at every opportunity has the potential to deeply benefit area businesses and residents in downtown Victoria. It’s time to recognize the positive impact of bringing these resources and supporters together to further Victoria’s reputation as a culinary destination. The time has come for the return of a permanent downtown public market in the City of Victoria.

The concept of a central city marketplace hasn’t always been alien to Victoria’s residents. The beautiful Victoria Public Market created in 1891 was an important part of the city’s economic and cultural life for over 70 years. The glass roofed building had over 60 stalls and was an outlet for area farmers to sell directly to consumers. Many small to large operators were able to sell their wares directly to a very loyal and local clientele. The increased access to automobiles and cheap gasoline after World War II precipitated a decline in customers and the need for more parking. The public market was torn down in 1962 to make way for the parking garage at Spirit Square.

In recent years there has been an increased demand for products grown right here on the island. A long, warm growing season, a surplus of arable land and its position in the Pacific Ocean make Vancouver Island one of the most bountiful places in North America, and as such a new tourist industry has sprung forth to highlight the artisan farmers, processors and Chefs that make Islanders the envy of much of the world when it comes to food.

Our proclivity for local, quality food was evidenced in 2008 when Cowichan Bay became the first Cittaslow member in North America. This small seaside island village boasts a great combination of agricultural, gastronomic and environmental resources that embody the spirit of the Slow Food movement and it’s focus on good, clean and fair food accessible to all.

Our desire for more quality food experiences is confirmed by the number of small markets springing up in our community every year. No surprise since the benefits of public markets have long been known. Cities that have been proactive in showcasing the best that local producers have to offer reap the benefits of improved public health through increased activity, education and enhanced cultural and emotional well-being through the connection that public markets provide. Check out this study prepared by UNBC called the Economic and Community Impacts of Farmer’s Markets in BC.

Just a brief reading of the UNBC report reveals the vast economic and social benefits of public markets. Combined with the boom in agricultural tourism the potential to bring more visitors to the downtown core represents a great opportunity.

The Victoria Downtown Public Market Society’s event Eat Here Now: Victoria Harvest Festival this coming September 26th will help raise awareness and funds with the goal of securing an appropriate building downtown to house a permanent year-round public market featuring great local farm fresh produce, Ocean-Wise seafood, island meats and cheeses, local processors and some of the best Chefs in the world. A market as focused and supported hasn’t been seen in Victoria since 1962 , and it’s an idea whose time has come again.

For further information on Eat Here Now: Victoria Harvest Festival please visit the Coming Events section of our website.

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