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Vision for “The Seaport Market” - The first Next Generation Farmers’ Market in Nova Scotia
The Halifax Farmers’ Market was founded in 1750 and is the oldest continuously runninoperating farmers’ market in North America. Our vision for the market is rooted in that history. The first market vendors were Acadian the original European immigrants to this land. The Mannette family, one of only seven vendors who moved into the Brewery Market in December of 1983, has documentation indicating their continuous participation in the market since 1784. Think about that for a minute – one family - 223 years at the market. Those seven vendors remained open the winter of 1983 for fear that if closed they would never open again. They launched what is now a self financed cooperatively governed group of local producers, processors and artisans that has grown to over 200 vendors. This is truly a testament to the enduring resilience of our producer community. The new Seaport Market will be an ecological and cultural showpiece linking the Province’s urban and rural economies in a seamless community focused on local food and sustainable principles. It will showcase Halifax as a smart city with a vibrant environment, economy, and culture. Great cities have great markets!! Indulge me for a moment – set aside your analytical mind and imagine that you are standing on the mezzanine in the new market over looking the grand stair case and central courtyard. Spread out below you is the agricultural and cultural bounty of Nova Scotia. Natural light is flooding in through the solar lanterns that provide heat and light for the facility. The stairway is bracketed by trees reaching for the sky among the rafters and a living wall of plants is cleansing the air. It is easy to imagine you are actually out doors. Looking across the interior of the market; Georges Island and harbour tugs can be seen through the glass façade of the east wall. To the west a view of city streets, buses and sun can be seen through the solar lanterns on the west façade. You are standing at the centre of a seamless connection of ocean, earth and sky that reconnects the city with its historic harbour and reaches across the province to the rich soils of our farmlands that nourish us with wholesome local food. The wind and sun is being captured by the building to provide our clean energy and rain water harvested on our green roof is washing our floors, irrigating our gardens and flushing our toilets. This is truly the Next Generation Farmers’ Market. Now we are making that dream - that vision - a reality. The market will be open six days a week at Pier 20, the busiest tourist entry point in the province, and it will be at the heart of the cultural, social and community centre that is emerging here at the Halifax Seaport Development. It will be operated by the HFM Cooperative and owned by its vendor shareholders and the community. I’d like to thank all of our partners and supporters for sharing in this vision with us and extend an invitation to the wider community to join us in creating The Next Generation Farmers’ Market through local investment in the Farmers’ Market Investment Coop. Please click here for further information .
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