Coldstream farmers looking for a break could soon harvest their own charity.
The Coldstream Farmers’ Market is considering applying for non-profit status in order to get a reduced rental rate at the Women’s Institute Hall, where weekly markets are held – currently Wednesdays from 2:30 to 6 p.m.
“We have paid more than $10,000 in the past year for rent in the Coldstream hall,” said Anita Fletcher, market manager.
Fletcher recently requested, but was denied a reduced hall rental rate from Coldstream.
“The issue is that they are not a charity,” said Trevor Seibel, Coldstream’s chief administrative officer.
“If the farmers market became a non-profit society they would be eligible. It can be done fairly quickly. My understanding is it’s a fairly straight-forward process.”
Other organizations have taken the same steps to gain the $25 per hour rate, compared to $40 per hour.
“I know the music group that has the coffee house took those steps to get the reduced rate,” said Mayor Jim Garlick.
“If it (market) is taken over by the community, we don’t have an issue providing the lower rate.”
Although they are not a charity, Fletcher says the market acts like a non-profit society.
The market has also offered free tables to community groups such as the Girl Guides, Bee SAFE, the Halina Centre and Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake. It has also supported young agrarians and is raising funds for a future equestrian Olympian.
“It’s struggling to get its feet solidly underneath it,” said resident Hugh Kidston, a regular market-goer since it started five years ago.
