Reselling items at farmers markets might be an issue is some Canadian communities, but not in the Comox Valley, according to the local farmers markets association.
In the summer, CBC reporters who visited 11 markets in Ontario discovered some consumers were paying premium prices for re-sold wholesale produce.
“Our internal processes have allowed us to quickly identify potential reselling and deal with it immediately,” said CVFM Association executive director Vickey Brown, who sits on the board of the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets. “Often, markets allow people to bring B.C. product that is not available in the area to boost sales and product variety. We do not, because we are committed to growing farmers locally and encouraging them to increase their product offerings.”
However, Brown notes that each market has its own set of rules and regulations — or not, as the case may be. She also notes that an increasing number of new markets run by a variety of organizations, or in some cases volunteers, might not have the capacity to monitor dodgy dealings.
The Saturday market in Courtenay is at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds Oct. 14, then switches to the Native Sons Hall Oct. 21.