Battlefords farmers markets reporting positive sales over summer

Wolf is grateful to see residents supporting the markets.

“Just a big thank you to all the people that are shopping local and coming to the markets,” she said. “Some will stop in just for a loaf of homemade bread or a dozen eggs.”

The market had about 30 vegetable suppliers over the summer. Vendors will often leave the produce to be sold there.

Wolf said while some people did not have good crops this year, she was able to find others who did.

She notes there was an issue with frost overnight on Sept. 16 so produce that was grown outdoors had to be picked right away to be saved.

Wolf also has a greenhouse at the market, and is a producer as well.

“The greenhouse is beautiful right now,” she said. “It is loaded with jalapeños, and all kinds of peppers and tomatoes.”

Summer markets

Some other Battlefords area farmers markets are just run over the summer, and are getting near to close as the season wraps up.

With the Territorial Drive Farmers Market in North Battleford, Christine Vangool, who manages the market with her husband Joe, said the market has grown this year.

“It’s great to see people wanting to help out the community — both the vendors and the customers,” she said. “It’s a great connection.”

Vangool said the market ran only Fridays this year at the Frontier Mall front lot and has seen strong business over the summer.

“The market has grown. We have added a car show to it, which has been a fun addition to the market,” she said. “For the majority of the summer we had the food trucks, live music, the car show and the market. It made it a fun event for people to go to on a Friday night.”

She estimated there were about 15 vendors at the peak of the summer, with even more participating in the market’s monthly “KidPreneurs” nights, in which kids set up for free to sell baking or produce, or show some of their musical talents, for example.

While many farmers in the region and across the province experienced drought which hampered production, the local markets have still been seeing a stable supply of produce come in nonetheless.

“It looks like it has been pretty consistent this year for most of the vendors,” Vangool said. “Everybody grows more than they need to typically. So they have had enough to supply the market.”

Among the fruits and vegetables available are potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, squash and pumpkins this time of year, and other produce.

Battlefords And District Farmers Market continues to run an outdoor market at two locations — Saturdays at Living Faith Chapel parking lot in North Battleford and Thursdays outside the Battleford Furniture store in the town.

Manager Alanna Priel said her market is winding down now, and is expected to close after the Thanksgiving weekend in October.

The market has seen a steady supply of vendors selling a variety of fresh produce from local farmers.

Some of the produce available over the summer included apples, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

“Everything was pretty much how it has always has been,” Priel said.

As far as vendor numbers go, the market did see a few less than last year, with about eight to 10 vendors a week participating.

Priel continues to encourage more people to shop local.

“It’s more important now than ever…,” she said. “You need to support local vendors to keep our community going.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

by Angela Brown

Battlefords farmers markets reporting positive sales over summer

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