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After hearing from speakers mostly opposed to any sort of change to the farmers’ market, which currently operates three days a week, a depleted council roster voted 6-1 in favour of seeking other proposals for the building.

“Public markets across North America are being replaced by farmers’ markets,” Adi Ramachandran, president of the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market Co-operative, told council.

“The Saskatoon Farmers’ Market is an authentic farmers’ market. Think about the legacy you want to leave in the future.”

Most speakers expressed the desire to preserve the farmers’ market as a place where producers of food sell their products. Ramachandran and others cast aspersions on the idea of mixing in a so-called public market, without a connection to local producers, to achieve animation at the site six days a week.

Speakers suggested this would erode the existing strength of the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market.

“We need to somehow connect people with the source of their food,” local food advocate Penny McKinlay said. “We need to know where our food comes from. The farmers’ market provides that connection.”

Council voted to amend the original motion seeking proposals, to remove the words “public market” and replace them with “public facility.”

City administrative staff said consideration will be made in awarding any new contract to preserving the farmers’ market. Ramachandran said the co-operative, which currently operates the market, will submit a proposal.