FROM FOOD DESERT TO FOOD DISTRICT

Dave Cook, Social and Business Entrepreneur

Western Fair Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market

Business Bio• Ontario Merchandising Manager for Sobey’s until 2007• Purchased the Western Fair Market in 2006• Establish three businesses

• Fire Roasted Coffee Company• Habitual Chocolate• Farmers’ and Artisans’ Markets Inc.

• These Three businesses will generate $2 million in 2012

Role of the School• To the success Market / Business

• School impacts business decisions, ability to attract and retain employees

• Initial success of market fueled the business growth• Crucial initial support was by local families who visited the market

every week

Role of the School

Old East Village

Role of the School• Core market support by Neighbourhood Families

• 24% of market visitors live within 2.5km (600 people)• 10% come from within 1km (225 people)

• 13% of market visitors walk to the market• 325 people per week• They buy more fruits, vegetables, dairy than those who drive

• 27% of visitors are from 4 and 5+ person families • They spend $33,350 per week

Source: January 2011,

Customer Surveys

Michael Clark, Jason Gilliland PhD.,

Western University

Role of the School

People who walk, use the market for groceries the most

Economic Impact• Every weekend:

• $95,000 is spent at the market• $36,000 is spent in the neighbourhood• $44,000 is spent by vendors in County

• Employment• 100 Vendors• 250 Full and Part Time Jobs

Source: January 2011, Customer Surveys

Michael Clark, Jason Gilliland PhD.,

Western University

Food Desert to Food District• Food Deserts – “Disadvantaged areas of cities with poor access to

healthy and affordable food”• Timeline:

• 2005: Initial survey of prices, no local supermarket• 2006: Western Fair Market opened• 2008: Follow up survey of prices conducted

• Cost of Ontario Nutritional Food Basket fell by 12% from 2005-2008 in the Old East Village• Meanwhile the cost increased by 9% in the rest of the city

Future Food District• Food District of the Future

• Continue to provide affordable food to local residents• Use the market as a food incubator to support, grow and mentor

business that will drive development in the Old East Village• Business are already expanding out of the market, filling vacant

buildings, hiring more employees

• To continue this growth requires:• A Youthful local skill base, • Educational opportunities for families to attract and retain long term

employees / vendors / businesses

• A local school.