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| Rediscovering the Public Market 

Following is a quick interview  with a vendor at Jean-Talon. The interview took place during my visit on an early February day, two days after a snow storm. The vendor sales fruits, vegetable, and bottled honey.

Q: Are all these products from Quebec?

A: With the refrigeration system, consumers are able to get produces that we harvested in Fall. I would say about 90% of my products are grown by myself in Quebec... apples, red or green peppers,   carrots, onions, turnips, and much more. For farmers who have green houses, they can offer products that we normally get during the warm seasons.  Generally, I don't think that there is a supply problem in the Winter as far as local produces are concerned.

Q: What happens to Jean-Talon Market in the Summer?

A: Off course, business is much better in the Summer, especially when it is sunny. In the Summer, this space (the enclosed structure) is used as storage area for some of our products. We would have to set up stalls under the concrete arcades outside. The stalls have to be set up very early in the morning and moved away later in the afternoon. In general, business is good as long as there is no pouring rain or snow blizzard.

I like what I do. Both my grandfather and my father did the same thing as me. I get to talk to people, interesting people, and there is a sense of pride in me whenever people ask me questions about specific products and I am able to give my expert advises or opinions.