The Hamilton Farmers’ Market Stallholders Association wants vendor contracts changed to remove the requirement for vendors to be open on Wednesdays.
As part of its 2026 budget sent to City Council, the Market Board committed to enforcing vendor attendance to ensure the downtown facility operated four days each week, Wednesday to Saturday. City Council agreed to a 24.4 per cent increase to the Market’s levy funding to support increased security and marketing efforts.
The City is contributing $426,260 to the Market’s approximately $1.1-million annual operating budget. All capital expenses are covered by the municipal tax levy as they arise.
Vendors are required to comply with their contracts beginning on May 1st, by operating a minimum of six hours on Wednesday to Friday, and seven hours on Saturday. All vendors have agreed to fulfilling the requirement, with the exception of Jantzi Cheese.
On April 9, the City issued a lease violation and termination notice to Jantzi Cheese. The City stated the termination notice would be revoked if the vendor agrees to open on Wednesday. The owner, Larry Jantzi, argues that he should not be required to operate on Wednesdays and has begun a petition asking City Council to not enforce attendance contracts.
Stallholder attendance has a point of contention at the Farmers’ Market for over a decade. A 2020 consultant’s report noted that 31 per cent of 701 respondents to a customer survey cited closed vendors as a complaint with the Market.
On April 15, Ward 2 Councillor Cameron Kroetsch met with the Stallholders Association.
Following the meeting, the Stallholders Association circulated a survey to its members. Jeff Pychel, President of the Stallholders Association, states the survey found “78 per cent of vendors support making Wednesdays optional, while 73 per cent would still remain open.”
The Stallholders Association is organizing a rally in advance of tomorrow’s (April 20) meeting of the Market Board of Directors at City Hall. Pychel is scheduled to present the vendors’ concerns to the Board. The meeting begins at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.
“Without reasonable flexibility, we risk losing long-standing businesses like Jantzi Cheese,” said Pychel.
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Published: April 20, 2026
Last updated: April 20, 2026
Author: Joey Coleman
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