Calgary to get another farmers' market

The Calgary Farmers' Market could have somecompetitionby Juneif plans for a new market go ahead.

The market lost the lease for its current location in Currie Barracks and is seeking approval to move to a new location at Blackfoot Centre.

Meanwhile, a number of breakaway vendors are awaiting city approval to open a new market, called the Kingsland Farmers Market, in an old car dealership at 77 Avenue and Macleod Trail.

"We want to have a place where farmers [and] artisans who make their stuff, who bake their food and grow their food can have a place to sell it," said Tim Hoven, the co-owner of Hoven Farms near Eckville.

"That's our vision. It's really having a focus on the small producer, having a focus on these local farmers. That's the biggest difference."

Hoven isn't worried about competing with the more established Calgary Farmers' Market.

"Competition is a good thing. It forces everyone to play their 'A' game," he said.

"If you look at some of the bigger markets in Ontariothere are literally two markets across the street from one another and it just brings out the best in people and it's going to give farmers more access to local urban markets."

Hoven hopes to have the market up and running at least two days a week by June 1.

If everything goes according to plan, the market will be open four days a week by the Thanksgiving Day weekend.