The Downtown Business Association has announced Edmonton's downtown farmers market will return to its outdoor format on 104th Street in 2024. CEO Puneeta McBryan talks about the market, as well as the new homelessness navigation and support centre that opened in January – Feb 15, 2024Vendors are being selected, and so far more than 75 have already applied. Returning vendors include Lacombe Fresh, Riverbend Gardens, Reclaim Organics, Ocean Odyssey, Steve & Dan’s and Sundog Organic Farm.
The market will be managed by the Downtown Business Association. Foundry Events has been hired — through an open competitive RFP process — to operate the market.“We’ve heard from the downtown business community, the market vendor community, and Edmontonians from across the city that the 104th Street downtown farmers’ market is sorely missed,” said Puneeta McBryan, DBA CEO.
Financial support for the market will be provided by the City of Edmonton’s Downtown Vibrancy Fund with the EDBA contributing additional resources.The downtown market used to operate along the outdoor promenade on Saturdays before it moved to the historic Army & Navy building on 103rd Avenue and 97th Street in 2020.
But the move to the indoor location coincided with the pandemic, and the market saw a big decline in vendors and shoppers. It also struggled with high utility costs and announced in January 2024 it would have to fold and declare bankruptcy.Edmonton couple finds potential obsidian artifact in front yardConsumers gear up for Loblaw boycott as petition for investigation gains traction