James Bay Farmers Market

Handmade, Homemade, Homegrown.

The James Bay Market Society was founded in 1995 by a small group of James Bay residents, assisted by a grant from the City. The non-profit Society obtained a $5000 grant from the city of Victoria to start a Summer Community Market.

During the first two years of operation, the Market was located at South Park School (corner of Douglas and Superior). In 1997, the Market relocated to a green space at the corner of Menzies and Superior, where it remains today.

The Market has grown and changed by leaps and bounds since its creation. From a handful of dedicated vendors back in 1995, Saturday mornings now see 50 tents plus gathered together, selling food, produce, art, crafts and services. Locals and visitors alike grab a cup of coffee, pick up vegetables for supper, and soak up the live music.

The James Bay Market Society is now self-sufficient, and hosts an Annual Festive Winter Market (The Dickens Fair) and a Spring Seed and Garden Show (Seedy Saturday).

Constitution

In the spirit of community living in James Bay, we want to promote the benefits of a local market with the intent to foster the uniqueness of this neighbourhood. The purposes of this society then, are as follows:

To encourage and develop an awareness of the importance of local agriculture, art and craft.
To encourage education about the environment, healthy living and organic farming.
To provide a direct sales outlet in the neighbourhood for locally produced goods including: handcrafted items, art, produce and home prepared foods.
To provide an atmosphere that encourages community interaction and participation of the neighbourhood.
To acquire, sell, manage, lease mortgage, dispose of or otherwise deal with the property the society needs to carry on its various objectives.
To increase awareness of the benefits of neighbourhood markets.

The purposes of the Society shall be carried out without purpose of gain for its members and any profits or accretions to the Society shall be used for promoting its purposes.