Closed farmers' markets in the City will impact Scugog business
Jun 24, 2009 - 12:47 PM
By Chris Hall
SCUGOG -- The ripple effects of an ongoing strike by thousands of Toronto municipal workers will impact at least one member of Scugog's agricultural community.
According to Jordan McKay, of Willow Tree Farm, his family's agribusiness operation relies heavily on the revenues generated through sales of produce and products at various farmers' markets across Toronto.
However, with the strike action forcing the closing of most of Toronto's municipal facilities, including municipal squares where farmers' markets are held, Mr. McKay says that a prolonged battle between Toronto and its union will be a big blow to his family's pocketbook.
The strike, he continued, "will close five of the busier farmers' markets we go to and, as a result, we'll lose a minimum of 60 per cent of our revenues. It'll have a major impact on us."
As part of the family's weekly farmers' market circuit, they set up at various municipal venues such as Nathan Phillips Square and Mel Lastman Square and other Toronto-area sites. The McKays also participate in farmers' markets in Oshawa, Orillia, Newmarket, Markham and, beginning this weekend, Port Perry.
But with most of the Toronto markets set up on municipal property, organizers at each of the venues will be forced to post "closed" signs, said Mr. McKay.
And that, in turn, will result in cuts that will trickle down to Mr. McKay, his family and staff.
"There could be quite a few students who don't get a lot of hours, so I hope they settle soon," said Mr. McKay.
In an effort to move the family farm's fresh produce, Mr. McKay said he'll most likely turn to wholesaling a lot of the products and may explore other satellite locations and farmers' markets.
"If they go a month or so, we'll be in a lot of trouble," said Mr. McKay. "It'll affect myself, my family and the staff that work for us."
Thousands of unionized indoor and outdoor workers represented by Locals 79 and 416 of CUPE walked off the job on Monday. Negotiations between the two sides are ongoing.
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