FARMERS:   Many Ontario farmers use the Farmers’ Market section of the Terminal to distribute their produce. Farmers who wish may distribute their produce on a commission basis through the warehouse units. It is estimated over 120 different commodities of produce are sold in the Farmers’ Market ranging from specialty Chinese vegetables to apples, pears and potatoes. In addition, a growing number of bedding plants, potted plants and cut flowers are sold in the Farmers' Market.

WHOLESALE UNITS:   These units are leased to companies who sell produce from Ontario and any other region in the world. All units are fully leased.

BUYERS:   The buyers who purchase at the Terminal reflect the ethnic background of the Province The majority of the buyers operate fruit and vegetable stores of sizes ranging from large independent retailers to smaller corner markets. In addition, corporate stores, restaurants, jobbers, institutional buyers, florists, peddlers and caterers purchase at the Terminal. More than 5,000 buyers are registered. Buyers must register with the Board and prove they are not the end consumer of their purchases.

The diverse ethnic background of Ontario is reflected in the buyers purchases and, as a result, a wide range of produce from all regions of the world is available at the Terminal. Buyers travel; from, as far west as Sarnia, east to Kingston, south to Fort Erie and north to Timmins. Produce is also shipped to out of Province buyers and to buyers in the northern states.

SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS:   Many varied service groups rent office space in the Terminal. To serve the Terminal, such organizations as inspection offices, produce brokers, truck brokers, grower co-operatives, restaurants, buyers and a bank lease office space.

TRUCKERS:   Independent truckers have become the primary method of transportation of produce to the Terminal. Produce is brought to the Terminal by truck from various regions of Canada and the United States. Trucks bring produce from Florida within 48 hours, from California within 76 hours and overnight from eastern seaports thereby assuring fresh produce.

EMPLOYMENT INPUT:

It is estimated that over one million vehicles enter and exit the Terminal each year. The direct and indirect employment attributed to the terminal is estimated at approximately 42,000 people and could be more than that figure. The 42,000 represents 477 Farmers tenants at an average of 10 people per tenant, the Dealer component of the Farmers’ Market tenants which totals 61 in turn represent at least 10 growers (who market through the dealer versus coming to the terminal) who in turn employ at least 10 people per grower, 57 Office tenants at an average of 10 people per tenant, 26 Warehouse tenants at an average of 40 people per tenant, and the 6,000 Buyers at an average of 5 people per registered Buyer. All of these groups are co-related to the industry. These figures represent only those directly operating out of the facility and do not take into account all other growers who use the market information that is generated from the facility. In summary the importance of the terminal to Ontario and Canada is significant.

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