Please Don’t Squeeze the Tomatoes! Help Us Make Space for Markets
You know that feeling when you walk into your neighbourhood farmers market and see the first tomatoes of the season? The colours, smells, creative tomato displays, the lineups at your favourite vendors (and tomatoes), and the familiar faces you see week after week.
For many Vancouverites, farmers markets have become part of the rhythm of neighbourhood life. And if you are a regular, you would know that the spaces that make those markets possible aren’t really keeping up.
Our markets have been growing. More people are shopping at farmers markets, more farmers and small businesses want to participate, and vendors are building businesses around the opportunities our markets provide. And at the same time, many of our market spaces are increasingly constrained by development, construction, competing uses and limited infrastructure.
We think it’s time to speak up and ask to make space for markets. And we’d love your help.
This September, you’ll see some cute but strong messaging at Vancouver Farmers Markets. A bunch of creative postcards, stickers and buttons featuring our new campaign message will be available at the info tents.
“Please Don’t Squeeze the Tomatoes!”
These postcards, stickers and buttons, are a small way to start a much bigger conversation about the future of farmers markets in Vancouver.
What can you do?
Take one home. Wear one. Stick one somewhere visible. Give one to a neighbour. Most importantly, share the message. Because making space for markets isn’t just about making room for tents. We want Vancouver’s municipal leadership to recognize that the community wants farmers markets to be a part of the city’s long-term infrastructure, and not as the temporary events that return each year.
We are asking to make space on the ground, at the table and on the menu:
- On the ground: Consistent, accessible market spaces that work for farmers, vendors and shoppers.
- At the table: Bringing market operators into planning conversations early, before decisions about public spaces have already been made.
- On the menu: Recognizing farmers markets as part of Vancouver’s long-term food system and community infrastructure.
Again, what can you do?
- Become a VFM Member – Becoming a member is one way to show that there is a community behind farmers markets and their future in Vancouver. So, go ahead, find out what works for you, and buy a VFM membership.
- Take the campaign home – Pick up a postcard, sticker or button at your market and share why making space for markets matters to you with your friends and neighbours.
- Send a postcard to Councillors, Commissioners and Trustees – We know markets aren’t just about farmers, but municipal leadership needs to hear why farmers markets are important to YOU.
- Talk about markets with campaigners – There’s a municipal election coming up. As candidates begin asking Vancouverites for their votes, ask them: How will you make space for farmers markets in Vancouver’s future? Ask about consistent market spaces. Ask about long-term collaboration. Ask how farmers markets fit into their vision for Vancouver’s food system, public spaces, small businesses and neighbourhoods. And if your market is in a City or Park Board space, ask them specifically how they plan to make sure that space works for farmers markets now and into the future.
Farmers markets are more than just places to buy tomatoes and all the amazing local stuff. They bring together local food producers, small businesses and communities.
So please don’t let them squeeze the tomatoes! And help us make space for markets.
