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July 20, 2021 durhamcitizen.ca 5

Afro-Caribbean farmers' 'We are a Resilient People'

market opens in Little Jamaica On this the 59th anniversary of Jamaica's independence,

we have much to be proud of in our nation's history
A new Afro-Caribbean farmers' market has This year's celebrations have been impacted by
opened in Little Jamaica to show some love COVID-19, which continues to wreak
to small businesses in midtown Toronto. havoc in many parts of the world.
Louroz Mercader, manager of the York- Despite the pandemic, we have
Eglinton Business Improvement Area, said
the area has the largest concentration of remained resilient, a testament to
Black-owned businesses in Toronto, if not the power and determination of
Canada, and they have struggled not only the human spirit.
with impact of the COVID-19 pandemic but Resilience and determination are
also the Eglinton Crosstown LRT Louroz Mercader, manager of the York-
construction. Eglinton Business Improvement Area undoubtedly deeply rooted in the
"This is a way for the neighbourhood to really psyche of Jamaicans at home and abroad.
show that we are reopen again," Mercader Under the most trying of circumstances we have always risen to the top and
told CBC News on Sunday. Eglinton Crosstown LRT construction has remained steadfast in our goals.
“It's been really tough for businesses during devastated the area for the last 10 years. It has
COVID-19 combined with the LRT lost more than 200 businesses. The market is As we celebrate almost six decades of independence, we have countless
construction going on at Eglinton. We want one way to bring it back, she said. reasons to give thanks.
to show everybody that we're back. We want When asked how it feels to have the market Our democracy, press freedom, the right to vote and freedom of speech have
to bring the community together." come alive, she said: "Amazing." Beazer said been preserved and remain mainstays of independent Jamaica.
The weekly outdoor farm to table market, the market has brought together new and
which opened on Sunday, runs on Sundays old vendors as well as local growers and We must also recognise the tremendous impact made by our people on the
from July 4 to Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in importers. global community. Reggae music has influenced every continent of the world.
the area of Green P parking lot of 1531 "It's been a long time coming, a year worth of Our track and field athletes have established themselves as the best in the
Eglinton Ave W. planning, and here we are. Our vendors are world. And our language, our culture, our food and our way of life have caught
The market features "affordable, ethical, happy. It's a thing for them, the last year, with
local and organically grown food of COVID-19 and everything. For them to have the imagination peoples everywhere.
diasporic cultural origin," according to the this platform now, to be able to sell, it's a The Jamaica National Group believes in Jamaica and the power of our people.
BIA, which represents about 200 small bonus," she said. We remain committed to doing our part in creating a strong economy
businesses along Eglinton Avenue West. "For us right now, it's really important that
Mercader said the market, which is open to we try to infuse some of that energy back. and in building a nation where everyone has a chance to create
the entire city, is a way to support the This is a good way to do it, through food." a better future for themselves and their families.
economy in the area. He said the area is not Mikaela Malcolm, owner of cheesekaekes, a May God continue to bless Jamaica and guide our efforts.
likely to be back to normal until 2023-2024. Black-owned and female-led business that
Many local businesses, including barber serves custom desserts across the GTA, said Happy Independence Day
shops and hair salons, were forced to shut the market has given her company much
down during the pandemic, he added. needed exposure. Cheesekaekes has been in JAMAICA
“It's very important that we support these operation for more than a year.
small businesses because that's how we are "We're super excited and grateful to be here,"
going to grow and thrive as a neighbourhood Malcolm said. Mr. Emile Spence, Chief Representative Officer
and as Little Jamaica." "Overall, I think it's going to help propel JN Canada Representative Office
Lori Beazer, market manager for the Afro- Black businesses, the owners and the entire
Caribbean farmer's market, said the community forward," she said.