Dave Cook purchased the Western Fair Farmers' and Artisans' Market in 2006 and established three businesses. The market generates $2 million in sales annually. The local school plays a key role in the success and growth of the market and businesses. It impacts business decisions and the ability to attract employees. Many local families visit the market weekly and those who walk spend the most on groceries. The market has transformed the area from a "food desert" to a "food district" by making affordable, nutritious food accessible and supporting local businesses.

1. FROM FOOD DESERT
TO FOOD DISTRICT
Dave Cook, Social and Business Entrepreneur
Western Fair Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market

3. Business Bio
• Ontario Merchandising Manager for Sobey’s until 2007
• Purchased the Western Fair Market in 2006
• Establish three businesses
• Fire Roasted Coffee Company
• Habitual Chocolate
• Farmers’ and Artisans’ Markets Inc.
• These Three businesses will generate $2 million in 2012

4. Role of the School
• To the success Market / Business
• School impacts business decisions, ability to attract and retain
employees
• Initial success of market fueled the business growth
• Crucial initial support was by local families who visited the market
every week

5. Role of the
School
Old East Village

6. Role of the School
• Core market support by Neighbourhood Families
• 24% of market visitors live within 2.5km (600 people)
• 10% come from within 1km (225 people)
• 13% of market visitors walk to the market
• 325 people per week
• They buy more fruits, vegetables, dairy than those who drive
• 27% of visitors are from 4 and 5+ person families
• They spend $33,350 per week
Source: January 2011,
Customer Surveys
Michael Clark, Jason Gilliland PhD.,
Western University

7. Role of the School
People who walk, use the
market for groceries the most

8. Economic Impact
• Every weekend:
Source: January 2011,
• $95,000 is spent at the market Customer Surveys
Michael Clark,
• $36,000 is spent in the neighbourhood Jason Gilliland PhD.,
• $44,000 is spent by vendors in County Western University
• Employment
• 100 Vendors
• 250 Full and Part Time Jobs

9. Food Desert to Food District
• Food Deserts – “Disadvantaged areas of cities with poor access to
healthy and affordable food”
• Timeline:
• 2005: Initial survey of prices, no local supermarket
• 2006: Western Fair Market opened
• 2008: Follow up survey of prices conducted
• Cost of Ontario Nutritional Food Basket fell by 12% from 2005-2008 in
the Old East Village
• Meanwhile the cost increased by 9% in the rest of the city

10. Future Food District
• Food District of the Future
• Continue to provide affordable food to local residents
• Use the market as a food incubator to support, grow and mentor
business that will drive development in the Old East Village
• Business are already expanding out of the market, filling vacant
buildings, hiring more employees
• To continue this growth requires:
• A Youthful local skill base,
• Educational opportunities for families to attract and retain long term
employees / vendors / businesses
• A local school.