The BC Association of Farmers’ Markets campaign to attract and entice new people to check out local farmers’ markets is happening across the province this summer.
Hazelton market manager and vendor Jonathan Knight said the public awareness campaign has helped bring more shoppers out.
“The Hazelton market has really taken off. This is our sixth season that we’ve been running it. Like all markets, it takes a couple of years before you can attract enough vendors and customers and for people to realize all we are able to create locally.”
The provincial association also launched a contest where people can snap photos of themselves at a farmers market and upload it to their Facebook page. The deadline to enter has passed but voting runs until July 21.
“It emphasizes all the good things that you can get out of a market. The money you spend there stays in the community and helps inspire entrepreneurs and keeps more farmers growing food locally.”
The Hazelton market offers fresh vegetables, fruit, locally produced goods, baking and live music.
It runs on Sundays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the corner of Highway 16 and 62 until September.
“We try to create our markets to be social places as much as they are for farmers and artisans to sell their goods. We try to have live music and good coffee available.”
The Hazelton market is also continuing to participate in the nutrition coupon program.
This gives lower-income families and seniors an opportunity to enrol in cooking and skill-building programs with coupons each week to spend at the market. People can use the coupons to purchase fresh fruit, veggies, herbs and meat.