Farmers Market open for business

Good news for those who have been waiting, the Whitecourt Farmer’s Market has geared up for another season. The market opened June 2 to the public and will continue every Tuesday. As with all other businesses facing the effects of COVID, there are restrictions that Alberta Health Services have placed and need to be adhered to. A total of 16 vendors make up the membership for the Farmers Market; however, with the health restrictions and social distancing in place, only 11 vendors can have tables set up at one time.

Jennifer Beausejour, Manager of the Whitecourt Farmers Market, said, “some of our changes this year is that one has to sanitize hands upon entering the Legion. Only 16 shoppers are allowed at one time, and they must maintain the two-metre distance and follow the directional arrows”. Until Alberta Health lifts the social distancing rule, the Farmers Market will continue with these rules throughout the season. There are more vendors available than what’s allowed at one time, Beausejour added, “Because Alberta Farmers Markets are regulated, we are following their requirements, which is called an 80 / 20 split. Meaning 80 percent of our vendors need to either make it, bake it or grow it, and the other 20 percent can be a home-based business such as Tupperware or Norwex. So essentially if you make it, bake it or grow it, and are local, you will always have first dibs on getting a table”.

As it is still early in the growing season, the first market offered plants, canned, and baked goods, handmade signs, clothing and meat items from a local farm. The most popular vendor over the years is the Sunnybend Hutterites. They will be joining for the June 9 market with their grown produce that is ready to go.