The freshness factor in Ottawa has hit an all-time high, as one of Ottawa’s leading shopping centres opened a new open-air farmers’ market this month, providing area residents with the very best that Mother Nature has to offer.
Following a tremendously successful opening on Aug. 3, community leaders and shoppers celebrated the new Bayshore Farmers’ Market with an official launch party, complete with live music, buskers, and horse-and-wagon rides.
Bay Ward City Councillor Mark Taylor and Bayshore General Manager Denis Pelletier took part in an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“There are approximately 7,000 people in our immediate neighbourhood who don’t have easy access to a grocery store,” says Pelletier. “This project has answered the call for fresh, local produce and foods.”
The pilot project, over two years in the making, kicked off with over 2,000 shoppers stopping in for freshly picked fruits, vegetables, baked goods, sweets, and local meats.
The Market will be open every Wednesday, from 11am to 6pm, outside the shopping centre, with easy access to transit and free parking. The new project is a satellite location of the Ottawa Farmers’ Market. The group currently operates a similar market in Orleans, with its home base at Lansdowne Park.
For their part, the City of Ottawa is extremely excited to introduce something new to west-end residents. “The response from the residents of Bay Ward has been tremendous,” said Ottawa City, and residents are extremely excited about the project.
Councillor Mark Taylor. “Having access to fresh and nutritious foods close to home has been a priority for our city’s west end residents and, thanks to Bayshore, that’s now become a reality.”
The new market is one of many initiatives in the works at Bayshore. With a number of new stores ready to set up shop, the centre is quickly establishing itself as the premier shopping destination in the city. Perfect timing too, since back to school shopping will now be a one-stop and healthy experience for kids and parents alike.