After the applause ended at the opening plenary of the 11th International Public Markets Conference this June, participants exited into Toronto streets that were thick with the haze of Quebec forest fires. It was a reminder of the ongoing climate crisis, as well as its uneven and unpredictable effects, and it was clear in that moment that the time for market leaders to act on equity and resilience is now.

Thankfully, the remainder of the convening also gave us many reasons for hope, too. With over 375 global public market professionals in attendance, our team had the opportunity to learn about and experience innovative market projects that are addressing some of the greatest challenges facing cities, towns, and rural communities around the world. While we discussed many urgent topics, here are four big ideas that will stick with us from the event.

1. When it comes to forwarding equity and reconciliation, be humble.

This year's conference theme, Setting a New Table, focused on translating the promises of a fair food system, inclusive economies, and social cohesion into tangible actions that any market, anywhere, can take. 

In discussions about equity, we often have to move beyond thinking we have the answers to tough questions such as, “Is Your Market a Gentrifier or a Generator?” In this “unconference” session, led by Sagdrina Jalal from Sage D Consulting and Catt Fields-White from Farmers Market Pros, participants explored how to create spaces that are welcoming to legacy residents. Given that most market managers want their markets to foster strong communities, participants discussed how they can actively seek out new perspectives from currently underrepresented voices, for example by collaborating with local churches to reach those who might feel the market is not “for them” and ask what it would take for them to want to shop there. Likewise, market leadership can also reflect on ways to ensure that the people in power, including staff and board members, are representative of the community.

Holding the conference in Canada also gave participants the chance to learn about local indigenous-led efforts in the context of reconciliation. For example, during the mobile workshop “Pathways to Indigenous Food Sovereignty and The Role of Public Markets in Advancing Reconciliation," the Ojibiikaan Indigenous Cultural Network shared their efforts to recenter the land, share indigenous knowledge, and restore traditional foodways—both through markets and non-commercial means.

2. Marketplaces are a source of food, goods… and opportunity!

Public markets play a vital role in fostering strong local economies. As moderator Mary Rowe observed in the opening plenary of the event, markets often act as an “on-ramp” for budding entrepreneurs who are often left out of traditional economic development, removing many common barriers to business ownership like cost, space, and formality. Unlike most supermarkets, markets provide local entrepreneurs with a low-risk, low-cost space to develop and expand their businesses while keeping money circulating in the local economy. 

One mobile workshop at Market 707 demonstrated how markets can transform underused public spaces into sustainable economic opportunities through cross-sector collaboration. Created by the Scadding Court Community Centre, Toronto's premier outdoor food and retail market, housed in retrofitted shipping containers, has helped revitalize Toronto’s Alexandra Park neighborhood.

The 11th International Public Markets Conference also showcased projects and initiatives that focus on identifying who has been left out of markets and devising strategies to expand economic opportunity to more people. During the mobile workshop “Brewing Diverse and Inclusive Paths in Food Entrepreneurship,” participants learned about the Foodpreneur Lab, a nonprofit committed to supporting both aspiring and established food entrepreneurs in Black and other underrepresented communities. Their mission is to advance equity by leveling the food entrepreneurship field. Introduced during the mobile workshop “Little Jamaica, Creating Successful Markets in Racialized Communities,” the Afro-Caribbean Farmers’ Market is another inspiring market model. As part of the new “Little Jamaica-Afro Caribbean Cultural District,” the market provides vendors of culturally specific foods from the Caribbean and Africa with opportunities to reach customers and build relationships. 

These Toronto-based projects demonstrate that markets have untapped potential and that they are an on ramp to economic opportunity. By researching and better understanding the role markets play in development, we can benefit more fully from all they have to offer.

3. When it comes to regional strategies, think top-down and bottom-up.

At the conference, we witnessed the effectiveness of combining both top-down and bottom-up strategies for more robust market systems. It’s essential for markets to connect, collaborate, and advocate together, but it's also crucial for governments to provide better policies, programs, and funding.

Specifically, we were excited to host the conference in Toronto because the city’s approach to Market Cities is more grassroots-oriented compared to Barcelona and London, hosts of the 9th and 10th International Public Markets Conference. In great part thanks to Market City TO, and their bottom-up approach to organizing, Toronto has made great strides in making visible the importance of markets to the city. In fact, the initiative’s tireless work contributed to City Councillor Shelley Carroll announcing the launch of an annual Public Markets Week in June during the conference’s opening plenary. Now even more attention will be shed on the city's more than 100 markets and everything they do to make Toronto a more resilient and livable city.

A mobile workshop titled “How the City and Community Work Together to Make Parks Places for Community Economic Recovery” presented a case study highlighting the tension that can arise when top-down and bottom-up approaches are out of alignment. Since 2008, the Thorncliffe Park Women's Committee has led initiatives to revitalize R.V. Burgess Park in one of Toronto’s most diverse and densely populated neighborhoods, including a market selling food, clothing, and other goods. While their success has been internationally recognized, collaborating and gaining support from city agencies has taken over a decade, with major setbacks when key people depart and relationships are disrupted. Even the most inspiring grassroots initiatives still often have to fight every day for funding and even permission to do their work. 

Ultimately, markets need systematic government support in terms of integrated policies, programs, and funding in order to meet their full potential. Meanwhile, government-led initiatives need the support and knowledge of on-the-ground actors in order to craft good policy and benefit groups who are beyond their usual suspects. Cities can and should borrow ideas from the entire spectrum, incorporating both bottom-up and top-down approaches to address their unique needs.

4. Resiliency starts in the planning phase.

While resilience design and planning is becoming more widespread and well-funded, markets are not usually taken into account, either as entities affected by shocks or as potential resilience tools in times of crisis. That’s why it’s essential to bring together traditionally siloed departments and loop market practitioners into policymaking conversations on resilience. 

In the breakout session on “Markets & Resilience: Planning for Future Shocks,” participants learned that it’s essential that markets start planning for climate change now, if they haven’t already. For example, CMHC-Granville Island’s Claire Lee shared how Granville Island Public Market is working with the City of Vancouver to identify the risks of coastal flooding for the market and develop a plan for long-term resiliency and adaptation. This case study serves as an example for how other markets facing the impacts of climate change might take steps today to secure a sustainable future.

Similarly, during the unconference session “What Role Can Markets Play in the Circular Economy?” we learned that markets thrive and stay financially viable when a wide range of stakeholders, including vendors and community members, collaborate from the beginning to create resilient spaces—ones that can survive extreme climate and be sources of strength when disaster strikes.

Learning Never Stops

Over the course of three inspiring days, the 11th International Public Markets Conference provided valuable insights into what it takes to become a Market City and did so through peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Now that participants have gleaned best practices from around the world and participated in mobile workshops and tours led by local leaders who were deeply involved with the planning of the program, we hope they return home energized and ready to take on the difficult but rewarding work of strengthening their markets so that they can provide food, goods, and opportunity to those who need it the most in their communities.

Want to continue the conversation? Join our new Market Cities Network to connect and learn from other public markets peers in-between conferences.

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