The challenges farmers face at Vancouver Island’s farmers’ markets
Date
2021-09-17
Authors
Glatt, Kora Liegh
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Farmers’ markets are often thought to be the hallmark of the local food movement. However, there appears to be relatively little research which considers farmers’ experiences there. Drawing on 12 open-ended interviews with 16 farmers on Vancouver Island, BC, I explore how farmers’ markets support small-scale farmers, although they are losing farmer focus. I explore three key themes in this research: mainstream economic assessments of farmers’ markets, how consumer culture affects small-scale farmers, and whether organic certification works for small-scale farmers. The intent of my research is not only to consider farmers’ experiences at farmers’ markets, but to show how to improve their current organization on Vancouver Island and elsewhere. As such, this refocuses farmers’ markets back to local food, small-scale ecological farming, and food sovereignty.
Description
Keywords
Farmers' Markets, Alternative Food Networks, Organic Certification, Economics, Consumer Culture, Vancouver Island