Local produce vendors operating at the weekly Market at the Grounds in Lower Valley are looking to open an additional market in George Town.
The vendors are planning to relocate to the site of the old Farmers Market spot, beside the cricket oval in George Town. The old market was destroyed in Hurricane Ivan.
The proposed venue is estimated to cost vendors about $150,000 to construct on the site, which vendors have leased from the Cayman Islands Airports Authority.
The Agriculture Society had no comment on the move when they were contacted by the Cayman Compass. The society charges vendors a small fee for use of the Agriculture Pavilion in Lower Valley,
Brain Crichlow, director of the Department of Agriculture, said the vendors wanted to expand their market to have access to people in George Town as well. He said they were not giving up the Saturday morning market at Lower Valley, but were seeking an additional venue.
Farmer Hamlin Stephenson, one of the vendors spearheading the move, said he would love to move soon but raising the funds and getting all the plans finalized takes time. The vendors say they already have planning permission but need a building permit.
“This is not an Agriculture Department initiative, it’s the [market] vendors’ initiative. We, as vendors, decided to try and put it together. We already have the plans drawn up by an architectural designer,” he said.
“I think it will be of great benefit to the island overall. One time, Caymanian people were not interested in local products but today they are buying locally, even if it costs a few cents.” Mr. Stephenson said moving to a more central location should help vendors with sales.
The move should not affect Camana Bay market on Wednesdays, he said. “There are a lots of vendors who sell at Camana Bay that do not sell at Market at the Grounds, but when it comes to sales, [Camana Bay] is the most vibrant spot for farmers,” explained Mr. Stephenson.
Cayman Farm and Garden’s Patrick Panton, a vendor at Lower Valley, said he is excited about having an extra location from which to sell produce.
“I think it is a wonderful opportunity for vendors and customers. Having an additional venue will be more helpful not only for those who have to travel but farmers too,” he said.
Mr. Stephenson added, “We needed another outlet in George Town to help revitalize the sale of local produce in that area and make it a bit more lucrative for farmers selling their goods. At the Pavilion in Lower Valley, most farmers return home with lots of produce because they are unable to sell it.”
Mr. Stephenson added the approximately 17 vendors who use Market at the Ground regularly were seeking donations from various corporations and are getting support from some local hardware stores, who have pledged material to construct the building.
He said the George Town Farmers Market will operate just like Market at the Grounds in Lower Valley, with vendors selling local produce, such as cassavas, breadfruits, yams, sweet potatoes, and other items, alongside local artisans selling artworks.
“There will be a small fee for vendors to help offset the cost of utilities and upkeep but for now we do not know how much,” Mr. Stephenson said.
The market will open six days a week, mid-morning through the week and early on Saturday mornings, he said.
The Lower Valley Market, a venue for local farmers and craft makers, was an instant success when it first opened seven years ago.
It was set up by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Agriculture Society and the Department of Agriculture after the old Farmers Market in George Town was closed due to damage from Hurricane Ivan.
To many onlookers, the Market at the Grounds has been an experiment in Cayman Islands agriculture, with the weekly market attracting many patrons.
“The Ministry of Agriculture gives a lot of technical support to the development of agriculture and farmers on this island to the farmers, with the expansion of agriculture throughout the island we need the additional outlet for the produce,” Mr. Stephenson said.
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I support this move, more exposure for the vendors and easier access too; because many of their customers are from George Town. Looking forward to the opening. Very good decision.