Premier, Minister Announce Funding for Sustainable Seaport Farmers' Market
The Nova Scotia government is making a commitment to healthy food, healthy living and a healthy building.
Premier Rodney MacDonald and Energy Minister Bill Dooks announced today, June 21, that the province is providing $2.25 million towards an eco-friendly Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market.
The new building -- next to Pier 21 and the new NSCAD campus -- will be powered by wind turbines, heated by solar panels and cooled by the ocean's breezes. Once completed, it will house North America's oldest continuously running farmers market.
"Every time someone visits the Halifax waterfront they will be inspired by environmental leadership in action," said Premier MacDonald. "And they will be putting money into the hands of rural Nova Scotian farmers while standing in the heart of our capital -- in a remarkable landmark building."
The premier noted that the farmers market supports hundreds of businesses from dozens of communities across Nova Scotia. There are also 24 first-generation immigrant businesses in the existing market. The new market, once open, is expected to add hundreds of new jobs and remain open daily.
It features a green roof with agriculture to reduce heating and cooling. Also included are water conservation, high-efficiency lighting, high-efficiency insulation and passive solar design. It is expected to reduce energy consumption by 85 per cent, making it one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in North America.
"The new market is going to showcase our farmers, our artisans and our craftspeople in a building that is a model for energy efficiency and renewable energy," said Energy Minister Bill Dooks. "It will help our economy, our tourism and our climate and help cement our leadership around green issues."
Fred Kilcup, manager of the Halifax Farmers' Market, said the new market will spotlight Halifax as a smart city.
"The new Seaport Market will be an ecological, cultural, business and economic showpiece linking the province's urban and rural economies in a seamless community focused on local food and sustainable principles," said Mr. Kilcup. "It will showcase Halifax's vibrant economy, culture and environment. Great cities have great markets."
"The new daily Seaport Farmers' Market in Halifax enables our son to continue to farm profitably into the next generation," said Richard Rand of Fox Hill Farm, a sixth-generation family dairy farm, located in Port Williams.
The building is expected to cost $9.75 million with funding from government and private sources. Architects expect the new facility will be built to a LEED Gold standard or higher.
Market-goers will reduce greenhouse-gas emissions even further by buying locally grown food.