UNBC Professor, David Connell will be a speaker at Congress 2025, talking about how more can be done to support local farmers’ markets.
In the research, farmers’ markets have seen steady growth in terms of shoppers, up 14% from 2012 to 2023, culminating in over $155 million in annual direct sales in BC.
Connell said on average a household in BC spends 0.5% of their food budget at a farmers’ markets.
“That’s where we get this idea that if any household on average spend 1% of their budget, effectively would double the amount of money spent at farmers’ markets, and that means twice as much money going to local farmers.”
Connell said farmers would be able to grow more from year to year, strengthening the local food system.
While spending money does have impact, he noted the social impact of markets where people spend around half their time talking with others.
That’s compared to grocery stores, where people typically try to get in and out as quick as possible.
Connell said that can contribute to a more lively downtown or neighbourhood, bringing people together.
His province-wide study included 11,500 shopper surveys, interviews with 350 market-goers, and 70 farmers’ markets across BC.
Congress 2025, which is Canada’s leading academic gathering, will be taking place from May 30th to June 6th.
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