Questions are being raised by Jasper Town Council staff about whether the new farmer’s market in town is being fairly regulated. 

“All business operators participating in the “farmer’s market” who are not in possession of a valid Town of Jasper Business License could either already be — or will shortly be — in violation of the municipality’s business license bylaw,” reads an agenda item by Verne Balding, the town’s director for corporate and legislative services. That agenda item was presented to council at their August 3 meeting.

While the town has not received any complaints about the farmer’s market, Balding said that he believed complaints from local businesses could arise before the end of the summer. The thrust of those complaints would presumably be that all other businesses in the town have to buy a license; why don’t the individual vendors selling goods in the farmer’s market?

“I think it’s very likely that we will receive one or more complaints before the summer is out,” said Balding. “The concern is that the playing field is not equitable... resident businesses are not given the same benefits.”

“Initially, the [Jasper Local Food Group] presented the farmer’s market as a mechanism to make regionally-grown food more available to Jasper residents. However the market has quickly expanded from fruit and vegetable producers to include artisans and crafts people. The most recent market included a builder of wooden furniture,” continues Balding’s agenda item.

Balding raised concerns about the length of time vendors will serve at the market. If market continues next summer, that’s potentially 15 days over the summer that a dozen or so vendors will be selling their wares.

According to farmer’s market organizers, vendors are currently operating under a business permit which was issued to the Jasper Local Food Group. Lori Riesling-Wynn, the senior organizer for the farmer’s market and a member of the local food group, said that the permit had been given to the group for free from the town due to the food group’s non-profit status.

The flat rate fee for a municipal business license is $165.

Vendors at the market also do not pay any table fee to the Jasper Local Food Group for selling at the market. Riesling-Wynn said that this was because the market is new and organizers are still trying to encourage and stimulate vendors to join. The ‘no-fee’ is meant as a perk to draw sellers in.

The only requirement on what the vendors can sell is that it most be something that they personally had a hand in creating. This is called the “Make it, bake it, or grow it” rule, said Riesling-Wynn.

Next summer there may be some kind of a fee for vendors, Riesling-Wynn said. She said that there have been some costs (sandwich boards, signs, etc.) this year that the food group has paid for out of its own pocket. Along with paying for these costs, if the town decides to levy costs to the market for operating a business in town, then the vendors may have to pay a fee to sell in Jasper.

Overall, Riesling stressed that the food group, and the town, are still figuring out how to manage the market. It’s new to Jasper and is raising some issues that haven’t really been thought about before, she explained.

“We appreciate businesses wanting to see what happens with the market here,” she said, adding that she did not want a confrontation with any businesses in Jasper.

“These guys don’t really make a ton of money here, they’re not getting rich,” said Riesling of the vendors in the lot.

Vendors at the market reported that business was extremely good. Over the August 4 lunch hour, there was a steady stream of people coming through and most of them were willing to buy, reported numerous vendors.

“It’s been great!” said one farmer from the McBride area.

Ursula Winkler, another senior member of the Jasper Local Food Group, said that the farmer’s market was about more than just selling goods. It’s also about providing Jasper with community connections and a way to learn about where their food comes from. People can come to the market and actually meet the people who produce their food. Winkler, who is skeptical about the global supply chain of food production that stocks many grocery stores, said the farmer’s market provides people with a way to escape those chains. In short, the farmer’s market is more than a business, she believes.

Winkler also said that there is a place for food businesses in town. The last thing she wants to do is have businesses angry with the market, she said.

Town councillors and the mayor debated at their August 3 meeting whether or not vendors at the market should have to have business licenses for operating at the market.

Mayor Richard Ireland compared the farmer’s market to the Jasper Artist’s Guild. All of the artists there do not have business licenses, yet they are able to sell their work under the business license of the guild.

“How is that any different?” asked the Mayor. “I think [the farmer’s market] is onside and I don’t see a great distinction between that and JAG.”

Councillor Rico Damota pointed out that there are numerous DJs and photographers who work in Jasper and who do not have a business license with the town.

Riesling-Wynn said that the Legion in Jasper was fully authorized by Parks Canada to hold events like the farmer’s market. Riesling consulted with a realty advisor in Jasper and they read over the Legion’s lease with Parks Canada and they believe that an event like the market is completely legitimate. They also were granted a letter of authorization from the park allowing them to hold the market.

“Parks wanted to help facilitate this and make it happen,” said Riesling-Wynn.