Moss Street Market Faces Disruption from Custodian Shortage

The Moss Street Market in Victoria, a long-standing farmers’ market, is currently grappling with unexpected disruptions due to a shortage of custodians. This situation has left vendors with surplus goods and raised concerns about the market’s continuity during the winter season.

Kelsey Moore, spokesperson for School District 61, explained that the district mandates a custodian’s presence whenever a District-owned space is rented for community use. This requirement has led to the market being unable to operate on specific dates: December 20 and 27, January 3, and March 21 and 28. According to Kyle Goulet, executive director of the Moss Street Market, this marks the first interruption in the market’s ten-year history.

“Our customers have come to rely on us for their food source,” Goulet stated. He emphasized the disruption’s impact on the local food supply chain, which is vital for many community members.

For vendors like Mike Romaine, who operates Healing Farm on the Saanich Peninsula, the cancellation of market days poses a significant financial challenge. Romaine, who sells products including apple pies, pear juice, fresh produce, and organic eggs, expressed concern about managing surplus items. “Egg production continues to come, so what do you do with the surplus eggs?” he asked, highlighting the broader implications for local farmers.

Romaine is also worried about the potential long-term effects on the community that the market has fostered over three decades. “Surely you can find a way around this,” he urged, indicating a desire for collaboration and solutions.

Goulet shared his frustrations regarding communication with the school district, stating that efforts to find a resolution have been met with resistance. “We’re looking for solutions, but we’re not really getting an audience with the decision makers,” he noted. “We haven’t even had a discussion on what those solutions may be; we’ve just been told ‘no’.” He reiterated that the market’s core mission is to support the community and expressed hope for a more cooperative approach from School District 61.

In response to the situation, SD61 announced that it had located a custodian for December 20. Additionally, the district plans to move the March market dates outdoors in an effort to maintain continuity for vendors and customers alike. However, the district did not address inquiries regarding whether the market could arrange its own custodians when necessary.

The situation at the Moss Street Market underscores the delicate balance between operational requirements and community needs. As the market navigates these interruptions, the hope remains that a collaborative solution can be found, ensuring that this beloved community fixture continues to thrive.