Kensington is about to go to the market. The farmers’ market, that is. According to the most recent plans by the Kensington Market BIA, if all goes well, the legendary neighbourhood known for its shades of eclectic shops, artsy effervescence and bicycle-clad hipsters will hold a farmers’ market at Bellevue Square, the park at the centre of the Spadina/ College area enclave.
"We’re still at the very early stages, talking about it as an idea," says Yvonne Bambrick, coordinator of the BIA. The idea came about after the BIA was approached by some farmers who supply their local edible wares to grocers in the area. She says the next steps would be to form a subcommittee and to talk to the local merchants and community for feedback. As the process unfolds, a few kinks would also have to be smoothed out, such as the hours the market would be open.
"The farmers have to be in the field sometimes," she said. "We still have to figure out timing." Bambrick also said the market and fresh produce wouldn’t work in competition with the local vendors, but that they would leverage and complement each other.
"Its our long term goal to keep Kensington on the map as a fresh food destination," she said.
