[SteelTown]

Farmers' market may get $40,000 from city

The Hamilton Spectator

The city's grants committee is recommending $40,000 in seed money for the Ottawa Street farmers' market.

The market, which was forced to move this year because of the Centre Mall redevelopment, has opened its new location on a city parking lot behind stores on the east side of Ottawa Street North between Edinburgh and Cannon streets.

"It's vibrant. It's exciting," Councillor Sam Merulla said of the new location.

The market recently incorporated as non-profit to qualify for city funding. Merulla said the grant, which must still be approved by council, will be used for infrastructure projects such as lighting.

The market is open every Friday and Saturday year-round. Merulla said the vendors are interested in opening up additional markets on the Mountain and in Dundas.