The next time you stop by the Prince George Farmers’ Market (PGFM) for farm fresh eggs, hand cut meats, a sourdough loaf or a locally made coffee, there may be more happening behind the scenes than meets the eye. Planned infrastructure upgrades will help the market better support vendors who rely on dedicated power and improved serving spaces, while creating new opportunities for community programming.
Northern Development approved $59,374 through the Economic Infrastructure program to support the PGFM’s $84,820 infrastructure upgrade project. The investment will strengthen the market’s ability to support local businesses while enhancing one of Prince George’s best-loved community traditions.
Since opening in 1994 with just a handful of vendors, PGFM has grown into a year-round staple with approximately 100 members. Each week, the market can see well over 2,000 visitors shop for locally grown produce, meats, baked goods, artisan products and prepared foods while supporting small businesses from across the region.
“Every Saturday, our vendors bring incredible products to the market,” said Martin Krell, president, Prince George Farmers’ Market Association. “Our role is to make sure the space continues to support them. These upgrades will create new opportunities for food vendors, community programming and the experiences that make the market such a vibrant place.”
The project will install a 200-amp subpanel, providing dedicated electrical circuits for each vendor booth and giving food vendors the reliable power they need to prepare and serve their products without the operational challenges caused by overloaded circuits. The serving area will also be renovated to better accommodate hot food vendors, while new movable partitions will create flexible space for workshops, meetings, farm-to-table dinners and other community events throughout the year.
While many visitors may never notice the upgrades themselves, they will experience the difference as the market continues to evolve. By investing in reliable infrastructure behind the scenes, PGFM will be better positioned to support its vendors while continuing to grow as a destination for shopping local.
