Highlights of the Economic and Community Impact Assessment
of Farmers Markets in B.C.
- $65.3
million – estimated direct spending at farmers’ markets
- $53.2
million – estimated spending by farmers’ market customers at neighbouring
businesses
- 131,000
– number of people visiting B.C. farmers’ markets each year
- 3.1
million – number of visits to B.C. farmers’ markets each year
- $18.18
– average amount spent per customer
- 100 – number of farmers’ markets in B.C. (40 more than in
2000)
- 28 –
farmers’ markets participating in survey
- 7,100
– customers who participated in rapid survey
- 446 –
one-on-one interviews
- 149 –
interviews with neighbouring businesses
- 46.5 –
percentage of customers who visit a farmers’ market at least two to three
times a month
- 28 –
percentage of respondents who are regular customers (almost weekly)
- 21 –
percentage of respondents who were first-time customers
- 53 –
percentage of respondents who spend at least 30 minutes shopping at
farmers’ markets
- 32.5 –
percentage of respondents who spend at least 30 minutes shopping at
farmers’ markets and at least half their time talking with friends,
vendors, and acquaintances
- Customers
rated nutritional content, in-season and locally grown/produced as the
three most important factors considered when buying food
- Funding
for the study:
o Investment
Agriculture Foundation – $50,000
o University
of Northern B.C. – $31,500
o Ministry
of Agriculture and Lands – $7,500 (in-kind)
o B.C.
Association of Farmers’ Markets – $23,500 (cash and in-kind)
- Study
was done by the School of Environmental Planning, University of Northern
B.C.
- For
the survey, UNBC used the Rapid Market Assessment technique developed by
researchers at Oregon State University for studying farmers’ markets
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