As you may have heard or read, a large shopper survey was conducted at our Wesbild Centre market site. Many thanks to the more than 350 on-site, shoppers, who took time to participate.
Conducted by the B.C. Association of Farmers Markets with help from the University of Northern B.C., the primary purpose was to upgrade similar shopper and economic impact statistics originally collected five years ago.
The full results have not yet been published but from all indications, shopper visitations, corresponding expenditures and regional economic benefits have increased considerably.
Most of the printed survey inquiries were formulated by the provincial poll organizers but the Vernon Farmers Market was given an opportunity to pose one question of their own.
It read as follows…
“The Vernon Farmers Market recently asked the regional district to consider funding approximately $300,000 worth of improvements to their Wesbild market site, including permanent washroom facilities, upgraded water and electrical service, a demonstration and stage area, park benches and hanging baskets.”
Would this be a worthwhile expenditure of taxpayers’ money? Of the respondents, 78.3 per cent said yes.
Wayne Seabrook, Vernon Farmers Market manager
Vernon
