The City of Delta is looking for someone to run a new farmers' market in North Delta this summer and next.
According to a request for expressions of interest posted to the city's website, Delta is seeking an individual or business to assume responsibility for the operation of a 鈥淢ake it, Bake it, Grow it鈥� market in North Delta for the 2025 and 2026 market seasons, with the possibility of having that term extended.
The market would run June through September on Sundays that do not conflict with the Ladner Village Market 鈥� proposed dates June 1, 15 and 29, July 13 and 27; Aug. 17 and 31, and Sept. 14 鈥� at the North Delta Recreation Centre.
Delta will provide use of the centre's parking lot fronting 84th Avenue and the North Delta Social Heart Plaza free of charge, and the operator will retain the gross revenue generated from the market, minus the city鈥檚 costs to support it 鈥� things like staff time for equipment set up and take down, garbage removal, etc.
Additional information, as well as any amendments that may be made to the request for expressions of interest, can be found on the city鈥檚 website ().
Interested parties have until 2 p.m. on Jan. 10 to make their submissions by email to corporateservices@delta.ca. They must include their legal name and contact details; details of their experience operating farmers鈥� markets; a description of their experience working with the BC Association of Farmers鈥� Market, including administration of its nutrition coupon program; references from at least three people who can speak to their ability to successfully manage a market of this nature; and a proposed "North Delta Market plan" to include number of vendors, hours of operation, marketing plan and logistics overview.
Note that all documents submitted become the property of the City of Delta and may be subject to public disclosure.
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The city's request for expressions of interest comes after a that directed staff to undertake an open process to solicit interest in operating a North Delta market, as well as implement several changes to expand and enhance the Ladner Village Market in 2025.
Changes next season include extending the Ladner market layout down Delta Street to Bridge Street; allowing businesses along the market route to set up pop-up patios for food and beverage sales on market days (subject to obtaining necessary permits); introducing a dedicated area for community activities, an eating area and an artists鈥� corner to contribute to the market atmosphere; and adding an eighth market day (Sept. 21) to the 2025 schedule.
In May of 2023, the City of Delta entered into an agreement with Ladner Village Market Ltd. to assume the assets and operation of the market for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
According to a report to council last month, the seven market Sundays in 2024 brought more than 250 market vendors (including purveyors alcohol) and roughly 63,000 visitors to Ladner Village.
As well, $6,222 in nutritional coupons were collected over those seven Sundays, almost three times more than in 2023. The coupons are handed out through the BC Association of Farmers' Markets Coupon Program, which provides affordable and healthy food for low-income families, pregnant women and seniors (enrolled households receive $27 per week in coupons that can be used at BC Farmers' Markets for up to 16 weeks).
The report noted Ladner Village Market generates an estimated annual economic impact of $3.8 million, with $1.6 million spent at local neighbouring businesses.
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