It is glorious to get up on a beautiful Saturday morning and head out to the Prince George Farmers Market (PGFM).
I love sitting at the picnic table with a plate of perogies and a refreshing glass of lemonade while listening to someone strumming a guitar and singing an Eagles tune.
I then head for the fruit truck and wander around a bit as my Jo heads for the ice cream truck.
Then, after a while, it's off in the car to drive to the Wilson Square Community Market (WSCM), now located in the parking lot at the P.G. Native Friendship Centre.
What is wrong with this picture? Everything!
Why can't we have one wonderful market in one place?
With all the amazing totally unselfish kindness that this community has shown to evacuees, it befuddles me that there is an issue between the two market organizations.
Those of us who frequent the farmers markets and read the local news know that there have been some unpleasant politics going on from both sides.
It is high time to bury that and move on for the benefit of the customers.
To be a member of the B.C. Association of Farmers Markets, the criteria are that a member must make it, bake it or grow it.
Local vendors with local Prince George products receive priority. Local vendors who obtain B.C. produce not grown in Prince George, such as Okanagan fruit, are also allowed.
Makes perfect sense.
In addition, the local rule is that a vendor cannot have a stand at the PGFM and the WSCM on the same day.
I had an informative chat with Ian Wells, general manager for planning and development at city hall. The city's interest is to promote business downtown. It offered the WSCM folks, at no charge, the area to the east of city hall - George Street to Patricia Boulevard - adjacent to the PGFM.
It would certainly benefit the customers. The WSCM turned down that offer. As a customer, it makes no sense.
Wells would welcome the opportunity for both groups to get together.
The city would love to see an indoor market with a mix of full-time fish, meat, deli, baked goods and similar vendors with associated eateries combined with seasonal B.C. Farmers' Market members along with proper, inspiring indoor space as part of a flourishing downtown.
One of our favorite markets is Depot Square in Bellingham. On Saturdays, a massive parking lot turns into a wonderful outdoor market.
The city has provided a glass structure with overhead doors as a permanent building for indoor vendors. The space doubles for special events. It is positively delightful.
Closer to home, Kamloops has another good market where farmers and bakers proudly showcase their goodies. Behind the market, on school grounds, vendors sell their crafts.
Have you ever tried to go inside at the PGFM on a Saturday? Talk about being stuffed like sardines. I do not find it enjoyable to go inside. I am sure that I am not the only one.
Do I have all the answers? No, but I am full of opinions.
First, I would like to see a facilitator, with no connection to either association, organize a meeting for those who are interested in establishing one comprehensive market board with new faces that have had no connection to either market. In other words, new blood with new ideas.
Of course, vendors from both markets would be welcomed to sell their goods, but the politics from the past must stop.
One individual from one of the markets is very unhappy that I am writing this column. He is obviously bitter and will not let it go. He is not alone.
One cannot keep dwelling on the past. Close that chapter and start a new one.
I love farmers markets. Whenever Jo and I are in another community we seek one out. To be honest, like many folks, we do not rely on them as much as we should. Shame on us. We as a community need to address our shopping habits so that one day we can support a full functioning year-round market for all to enjoy.
