This project will focus on the Market Café and Shared Commercial Kitchen to support community members with flexible facilities able to be used 7 days per week. This new anchor service offering will support new activities in the Market - a 500+ person special events venue with food preparation and entertaining capacity for widespread community use. This space will be designed to enhance the Guelph Farmers’ Market as a learning, events, and culinary destination. Our expectation is that this improved infrastructure will increase weekly visits and activity uses from 2,500 attendees by 30%, revitalizing and animating this beloved community facility as a place for connection.
This funding will also support the creation of inclusive training, microenterprise, and employment pathways for equity-deserving residents, especially youth and newcomers, through use of the commercial kitchen, and will allow 10C to work more readily with community organizations, including, the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition, The SEED and Food Uniting Neighbours.
Specifically, this capital infrastructure will support 10C to advance:
- Provide new entrepreneur kitchen access
- Sliding-scale and free programming
- Cooking classes, and workforce food skills learning
- Entrepreneurship and business incubation
- Intergenerational and culturally inclusive events
The transformation of the Guelph Farmers’ Market into a shared commercial kitchen and teaching space is essential to making this landmark community hub more inclusive, accessible, and vibrant. While the Market has long been a cornerstone of local food culture, it has not fully reflected the diversity of the community it serves. Many residents—particularly those from lower-income households, newcomers, and youth—have faced barriers to participation and access.
By adding a flexible, year-round Market Café and Shared Commercial Kitchen, this project directly addresses these gaps. It will open new opportunities for learning, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange through food. The enhanced space will support community-led programs, intergenerational activities, and inclusive workforce training, creating meaningful pathways for people to build skills and small enterprises.
Investing in this infrastructure will revitalize the Market as a shared space where everyone can connect, learn, and contribute—strengthening local food systems, supporting equitable economic participation, and fostering a stronger sense of belonging in Guelph.
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A community connected to food is immeasurably richer. This project is all about deepening those relationships, connecting growers, chefs & cooks, and eaters.
The farmers market is a key community connector and brings community together.
A game changer for local businesses, residents and tourists to Guelph. So much opportunity will be unlocked with this funding.
The Guelph Farmers Market is a special place. This project would help make it even more vibrant and unlock tremendous community and economic value.
A commercial kitchen at the market would brings together fresh food, local entrepreneurs and so many event possibilities.
The addition of a kitchen to the market space would create so many opportunities for the community!