To the editor,
What’s the difference between a farmer and a flea?
I was young when I first heard of flea markets. I wondered, “Who would want to buy a flea?” Or if it was where tiny items were sold. Of course, I eventually learned that flea markets sell used goods and have participated in many flea markets since then.
I can appreciate that many people consider the Halifax Farmers’ Market the best “market” in town but I was certainly taken aback when the Halifax Farmers’ Market was voted Best Flea Market in this year’s Best of Halifax readers’ survey (Nov. 6).
I suppose the two may be equated in the minds of many people, but our mandate is to sell fresh local food and artisan-produced crafts and art as well as locally processed foods—not used goods. The Farmers’ Market is not a flea market.
I’d like to thank folks who voted for the market and will assume the best of intentions by honouring us with their vote. Maybe The Coast could add a new category to the Best of Halifax—call it Best of Intentions.
By —Fred Kilcup, manager, Halifax Farmers’ Market
This article appears in Nov 20-26, 2008.
