The Penticton Farmers’ Market is gearing up for another season, opening Saturday, April 17. But the Penticton Community Market can’t happen for now.
The Farmers’ Market will open under the same COVID protocols it operated under last year, hopefully with artisans included this time around, said Linda Van Alphen, market manager.
“In the last few months of the 2020 season we were allowed to have 75 market goers in at a time which helps a great deal with the line-ups,” she said.
The market is now welcoming applications from farmers and other vendors wishing to sell fresh, frozen, or preserved food items under the “Make It, Bake It, Grow It” philosophy.
If you grow or make something fresh or unique and are interested in joining the community of vendors, consider applying to be a casual vendor for the Saturday markets on Main Street. The Market starts April 17 and runs until Oct. 30.
The Penticton Community Market, which draws 5,000 people to Main St. every Saturday, will not be going ahead for now as provincial health orders are still in place, said Downtown Penticton executive director Lynn Allin.
“Because we are an open event with an average attendance of 5,000, the provincial restrictions are still in place. We miss the market tremendously,” said Allin.
“If we get word from the city that we can get a permit to go ahead, we can react quickly and be ready to open,” she added.
Last year’s Farmers’ Market saw large line-ups to get in because of the restrictions on how many could go in at a time. The market volunteers have become better at setting up the way you enter one way and exit another.
“Our tweaking has been in creating efficiency with signage – directional and COVID-19 and safety measures with additional barricades and partitions between vendors,” said Van Alphen.
“We had excellent volunteers in 2020 who strictly follow the guidelines and I am hoping that they all return this coming year,” she added.
“I am looking forward to this summer when we can get back to some semblance of a normal market,” said Van Alphen.
B.C.’s top doctor Dr. Bonnie Henry said she is optimistic that we will be able to enjoy events and gatherings this summer as our population continues to get vaccinated.
The Farmers’ Market is looking for products such as:
• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat
• Eggs
• Cheese and other dairy products
• Bread, pastries, and other baked goods
• Jams, preserves, marinades, and dips.
• Honey
• Home made crafts.
To apply, complete your application before April 3 by visiting pentictonfarmersmarket.org.