A Vision For The Kingston Public Market
Introduction
The City of Kingston has operated a Public Market every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday since 1801. It is a matter of civic pride that Kingston has the oldest market in Canada.
In an era of SUSTAINABILITY, a market is a vital link between urban dwellers and our rural community. It is a focal point for food sovereignty, a driver of a green economy in the City and an appropriate meeting venue in a public space for local food education.
The Kingston Public Market is a partner in Kingston's Integrated Community Sustainability Plan.
Collaboration:
The Kingston Public Market's vision is part of a broad marketing strategy that acknowledges a partnership between the Kingston Public Market Vendors Association (KPMVA) and the City with the BIA as a supporting partner in promotion as well as the First Capital Place Committee for the benefit of the Market and the City.
Recruitment:
Encourage and support new vendors that provide goods that broaden the appeal of the market for consumers.
Education:
- To consider the market a venue to educate the public about nutrition as well as local and seasonal food.
- Make market more entertaining by scheduling weekly programming in the South Court.
- Recognize Market's historical significance by creating a museum space.
- Maintain an info booth
Keeping the Vision:
The Kingston Public Market retains a vision by engaging in yearly review sessions that assure we are living our commitment to being a vital link to our rural community in service to our whole community.
Our Vision
The Vision of the Kingston Public Market is to be a focal point for a sustainable Kingston, where the City exercises leadership and active participation within its own realm of influence and in consort with its partners.
- The Market is a vital key to local food sovereignty where participation by local Producers showcases the diversity of our local food supply.
- The Market demonstrates an alternative by minimizing the environmental impact by decreasing energy costs of food transportation (50% of energy cost of food) and reacquainting people with their local food supply.
- The Market is a key economic driver of the downtown core, attracting Kingstonians and tourists alike.
- Because the Market operates in a public space, it helps normalize social behaviour. The Market provides an example of the productive and necessary lifestyle of farming and provides a tangible connection between our urban community and our farm community.
- The Market is a place for building community. They facilitate engagement between urban and rural dwellers, increasing social harmony with the hinterland. Moreover, they are a very visible evidence of a City's commitment to sustainability.
- Through daily donations, the Market is a source of high quality food for the underprivileged.
The Importance of the Market to Our City:
The Market provides visible action toward a more sustainable city; "walking its talk" of becoming the most sustainable City in Canada;
- It acknowledges its role in increasing the economic viability of the City's downtown.
- It helps minimize the ecological impact of food transportation.
- It can create social harmony both within Kingston and with Kingston's hinterland.
- The Market encourages healthy lifestyle choices and strives to provide quality food to the citizens of Kingston.
- It provides a showcase for local artisans.
- The Market will continue its part to enhance its appeal to tourists and celebrate its historic heritage.
Our Future:
Our Vision is for the Market to continually increase its importance in unifying the urban and rural communities within the City of Kingston, where the whole community will receive credible information on food and local agriculture, have easy access to quality Produce and local Crafts and that they are available for generations to come.
