Saanich farm markets will now be able to sell a full range of products — including red meat and prepared foods — after a bylaw change.
After a brief public hearing on Tuesday, Saanich council agreed to remove restrictions from the zoning covering farm markets, allowing them to sell a wider range of products and be more competitive.
The change primarily benefits two businesses: the Galey Farm Market and the Root Cellar.
The markets are now able to sell locally raised beef, pork, lamb and bison, as well as non-dairy processed foods and ready-to-eat foods. They were already allowed to sell seafood and poultry.
“This gives them a broader range of products to offer,” said Mayor Frank Leonard. “On the sustainability side, it promotes the 100-mile [diet] concept and doesn’t require people to drive around to different stores to get their meal together.
Leonard said the farm markets are in competition with major grocers but were limited by the old bylaw in what they could sell.
The change was motivated by the Root Cellar market, Leonard said. “They’ve obviously grown well beyond just a curbside stall and we want them and others to continue to be successful.”
Adam Orser, owner of the Root Cellar, said he was “extremely pleased.”
“I think it’s an update that puts Saanich ahead in the interpretation of farm markets in B.C.,” he said.
“We plan to go ahead with utilizing it to be the go-to place for local and Island-raised meats, cheeses and prepared foods.”
Rob Galey, owner of Galey Farms, said he “absolutely” will be looking into making changes now that the bylaw has been amended.
“I’ve been looking into getting into beef production. I’ve been raising meat for my family now for five years. We have a lot of interest in it, and a lot of people asking for it,” Galey said.
“On-farm sales are the key to survival for farms now.”
