Acadia University and the Wolfville Farmers' Market Cooperative finalized the terms of a 20-year lease of the DeWolfe Building, a former agricultural warehouse on Acadia's campus on October 25. The $1 per year lease paves the way for both the construction to begin on the building's façade and the installation of vendor stalls and food storage and preparation equipment.

"Acadia is pleased to welcome the Farmers' Market to campus," said Darrell Youden, Acadia Vice-President Finance and Administration. "The market is a symbol of the Valley's commitment to local production and consumption of agricultural products and building sustainable communities. The Market helps attract visitors to our community and this new location will revitalize a building that is part of our town's colourful history. It will not only make the market experience better for vendors and customers, it will also be an ideal community meeting space."

The DeWolfe building, since 2001, has mainly been a storage facility for Acadia. However, it was built approximately 100 years ago for R.W. DeWolfe Ltd. as an apple packing and storage facility. The newly renovated building will have more than 60 full-service vendor stalls. A mid-week market will be introduced and, on non-market days, the building will be available for meetings, events and workshops.

"We appreciate this generous offer from Acadia and are very proud to be moving forward on this project," said Angela Patterson, President of the Board of the Farmers' Market Cooperative. "The overall cost of the project is $800,000 and funding has been secured from federal, provincial, municipal and vendor contributions. At this time, we are asking the community to help us raise $200,000 to meet our fundraising goal. Achieving this goal will ensure the market has a home where we will expand the variety of quality local food; and where we will work to strengthen our rural economy while solidifying the Wolfville Farmers' market as a hub for local food and culture.

Work on the DeWolfe building will begin immediately. Construction projects soon to be underway include infilling the basement, construction of a new addition, installing new windows and doors, removing existing interior partitions to accommodate the new layout, and completing the new interior finishes.

 About the Wolfville Farmers' Market

The Wolfville Farmers' Market is a cooperative organization that started in 1992 with three vendors and now boasts over 60 vendors year-round. Its vision is to better the health and vibrancy of our communities. Its mission is to provide a fair and direct market venue for locally-produced goods and services in an environment that inspires and nourishes community. For more information, visit http://wolfvillefarmersmarket.ca/

About Acadia University

Acadia University, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has long been recognized as one of Canada's premier post-secondary institutions. With its nationally and internationally recognized undergraduate and graduate research initiatives, small classes and technology-rich teaching and learning environment, Acadia offers students an experience that includes academic achievement combined with personal growth and development. Acadia also offers distance learning, certificate programs, language training and other university extension programs through Open Acadia. For more information about Acadia University, visit our website at www.acadiau.ca.

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Contacts: 

Acadia University: Scott Roberts Director of Communications and Marketing (902) 585-1705

Wolfville Farmers' Market: Angela Patterson Board President (902) 582-1363