Woolwich allows St. Jacobs Walmart to sell meat, produce

The Walmart on Farmers Market Road in St. Jacobs, Ont., is seen on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013.

Fresh meats, produce and prepared food are coming to the Walmart in St. Jacobs.

Tuesday night, Woolwich councillors unanimously approved the request of the Farmers Market Road Walmart to expand into a supermarket.

“This will make competition for other grocery stores in the area … but I think it balances the need for a grocery store within the St. Jacobs area, which has been lacking for several years,” Coun. Mark Bauman, who represents the area, tells CTV News.

Walmart plans to use 25,000 square feet of space inside its store for groceries.

About 5,000 square feet of the store is currently occupied by packaged food items.

Although the St. Jacobs Farmers Market is just across the street, Bauman says he doesn’t think there will be much of an impact on the market, as he sees a need for food sold outside the few hours each week the market is open.

“The farmers market is an experience that you go to. When you go grocery shopping, you’re going for a need,” he says.

The City of Waterloo and Region of Waterloo must still give final approval to the project.