Market Governance
The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market (PRFM) is governed by the Peterborough Regional Farmers Network (PRFN) - a registered Not-for-Profit Corporation, see more below - but day-to-day operations are the responsibility of Farmers’ Market Steering Committee.
Farmers' Market Steering Committee
The Market Steering Committee is looking for new members to join us. If you are interested in joining a group of market lovers who strive to make the market more fun, diverse, inclusive we want to hear from you! If you are interested, please send a one page letter of interest to info@ptboregionalfarmersmarket.com
The Farmers’ Market Steering Committee (FMSC) oversees the operation of the farmers’ market using their Terms of Reference and the PRFM Mandate, as provided by the PRFN. The FMSC consists of at least three community members, with relevant skills; two farmer vendors and one non-farmer vendor. The chair or co-chairs (approved by the PRFN Board of Directors) chair monthly meetings and vote only in case of a tie, when voting is necessary. At least one FMSC member attends PRFN Board meetings in order to maintain good communication channels and working relationships.
The FMSC consults with vendors, community members, customers, government organizations, elected officials and other relevant stakeholders, in order to govern and operate the farmers’ market in a fair, transparent and inclusive manner.
The FMSC is responsible for hiring a market administrator. The FMSC and the market administrator follow policies, rules and regulations, and the mission statement of the farmers' market. Rules and regulations are reviewed annually.
COMMITTEE ROLES:
Steering Committee Chair: In review
Secretary : Lexi Kolt-Wagner
Market Administrator: In review
Farmer Vendor Representatives: Astrid Manske, Andrew Potter & Erin Bodashefsky
Treasurer: Dorothy Howard-Gill
Community Member: Paul Norris
If you’re interested in joining the PRFM Steering Committee please follow this link to submit an application. We’d love to hear from you!
Market Management
The Market Manager is hired by the PRFM steering committee and approved by the PRFN Board of Directors. The Market Manager is a full-time contract position that will be renewed annually. The responsibilities of the Market Manager are as follows:
Organize and maintain a smoothly running market.
Liaise with and nurture positive relationships with market neighbours and landlords, community partners and other key stakeholders.
Plan the market stall layout, schedule vendors, and assign vendor sites.
Recruit, evaluate and manage vendors as per PRFM standards.
Provide input into and ensure compliance with the market Rules and Regulations.
Address issues and resolve problems during the market season with vendors and/or customers (see PRFM Conflict Transformation Protocol).
Recruit, train and manage PRFM volunteers at the market.
Manage not-for-profit organizations and community booths to share market space.
Collect weekly vendor fees and revenue data; make records and monies available to the PRFN treasurer in a timely manner.
Implement and promote special events and fundraising at the market with subcommittee
Manage PRFM communications including; mail, emails, phone calls, and social media.
Engage in promotional activities.
Report to the Board Chair, or her/his designate, any matters that require Board attention and provide regular market updates at PCFM steering committee meetings.
Attend Board meetings in a non-voting capacity and take meeting minutes.
Submit an annual report in collaboration with the FMSC within 30 days of the end of the market year.
DEFINITIONS
Regional– PRFM uses a tiered definition of Regional. Priority will be given to vendors of products produced or raised within Peterborough County. For products unavailable within the County, the PRFM will widen its definition of regional producers to neighbouring counties and townships as needed.
Primary Producer/Farmer - a market vendor who is actively involved in the production and harvesting of 100% of the agricultural products they offer for sale
Farmers’ Market - a true farmers’ market, according to the Food Premises Regulation of the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act, “is a market at which greater than 50% of the vendors (i.e. 50% +1) must be producers of farm products who are primarily offering for sale their own products.” The PRFM will aim to always have 60 percent primary producers who grow 100 percent of the agricultural product they are selling
Peterborough Regional Farmers Network (PRFN)
The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market (PRFM) and The Peterborough Wednesday Farmers Market (PWFM) are governed by the Peterborough Regional Farmers Network (PRFN), which is a registered not-for-profit corporation with a mandate to:
Advocate for regional food sovereignty, fair marketplaces, and policies at all levels of government and civil society that support farming businesses
Promote and support collaborative relationships
Inter-connect farmers to build an inclusive agricultural and business community
Research and develop best practices for agricultural production, distribution, and marketing
Consult with farmers and community stakeholders to identify, develop, and review projects and goals that support the local food system
Current PRFN Board of Directors:
Jeff Wagner - Chair & Primary Producer/Farmer
Heily Teasdale - Secretary & Prepared Food Vendor
Astrid Manske - Primary Producer/Farmer
Dorothy Howard-Gill - Community Member
Sam McLean - Primary Producer/Farmer