The Mission City Farmers Market returns this month after four successful indoor markets during the winter.
Farmers Market board member and former president Mike Gildersleeve says the focus moving forward is to build the market while attracting more vendors and members of the community.
Gildersleeve says he still runs into people who don’t know Mission has a farmers’ market.
“You don’t want to see that so we’re trying to do what we can to get the word out,” he said.
Four indoor markets during the winter have provided some momentum for the outdoor season. During the last two indoor events, the market partnered with Mission Garden Club for a seed exchange. A vendor also hosted a gardening workshop.
With the impacts of climate change and weather events, Gildersleeve says the Farmers Market provides access to local, healthy options.
“We see it as a real sort of climate solution — developing a more healthy and resilient community,” he said.
Over the years, the Farmers Market has called several places home. It was held at the West Coast Express parking lot from 1996 to 1999 before moving to Pharmasave from 2000 to 2003, Pal’s Cafe from 2004 to 2006, Mission Library from 2007 to 2016, Mission Leisure Centre from 2017 to 2019 and Welton Common from 2019 to 2022.
“We’re hoping we can make it even better, but for now it seems that most people like the idea of being at Centennial Park,” Gildersleeve said.
A survey in late 2023 found the largest chunk of participants were satisfied with Centennial Park as a venue for the Farmers Market.
However, Gildersleeve says there are still issues with vehicle access for vendors and concerns with the park’s terrain for older patrons or those with mobility issues. He says the Farmers Market is in ongoing negotiations with the City of Mission to address concerns surrounding the Centennial Park location.
After years as president of the market, Gildersleeve now hands the reins to Trena Bennett.
“That provides a spark as well when people keep stepping up,” he said.
Gildersleeve says it feels good to pass the torch.
“The sign of a healthy organization is where there is some turnover and I’m always going to be involved,” he said.
One of the market’s original founders was honoured earlier this month at the Community Service Awards. Joy Cox was one of two recipients presented with the Freedom of the City medal.
“We’re now going into our 28th year and that’s saying something. Not to brag or anything, but it says a bit about the community of Mission that people are willing to step up and see this is important. We need to keep it going and do what we can to make it even better,” he said.
The Farmers Market will run weekly every Saturday from May 11 to Oct. 26 on the south side of Centennial Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
NOTE: A previous version of this story stated that Mike Gildersleeve was president of Mission City Farmers Market for over a decade. Gildersleeve has been on the board for over a decade but president for four years, off and on.
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