As a rite of spring, Powell River’s Open Air Farmers’ Market prepares to open on April 28. This year, organizers are hoping to expand the product base provided to the community.
The market, which opens every Saturday and Sunday through to October, is located at the Exhibition Grounds in Paradise Valley. It provides an opportunity for the community to purchase locally grown food, and for farmers and producers to sell directly to consumers, minimizing profit loss by circumventing the middleman. The market also hosts a number of festivals throughout the summer. These draw large crowds and feature an array of local food, artists, entertainers and activities
for children and families.
The market is situated in a park-like setting, with 36 booths and a cedar-shingled bandshell, surrounded by large trees and wildlife. There is running water and washrooms on-site, with parking available free of charge.
As a member of the British Columbia Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM), the market adheres to the association’s primary guideline, the make/bake/grow/raise policy. All products sold at the market must be made, baked, grown or raised within the Powell River Regional District.
The market is always looking for vendors who provide complementary products to the current offerings and who are a good fit for the market. Organizers are especially interested in incorporating new vendors who offer such products as: produce, meat/seafood, cheese/dairy, mushrooms, prepared food, whole grains/flour, nursery products and service vendors (knife sharpening, bicycle repairs, et cetera).
Entertainers and musicians are also welcome to perform on the open-mic stage. Sign-up for the stage begins 15 minutes before the opening of each market day.
On an average Saturday or Sunday the market has 300 to 400 visitors. Twenty-five years ago the market offered only local produce and a handful of other items, but over the years customers have indicated that they would like to see more variety. For the past 10 seasons the market consistently had 30 to 40 vendors, a significant expansion of the original product base. Many vendors have experienced a high level of demand for their products, and for this reason only those vendors who are selling prepared foods may sell before the official opening-bell of the market. The market welcomes new vendors to apply as the market still has capacity for growth and more variety.
Vendors and customers at the market value quality vendor-customer relationships. Vendors repeatedly express their appreciation for the quality of interactions they have with market customers. The market is a friendly, social place where customers and farmers or producers can come together in a mutually rewarding exchange.
For information on becoming a vendor, interested readers can contact the market manager Jesse Black by email or by phone at: [email protected] or 604.344.0021. The suitability of any product for sale at the market is at the discretion of the manager and market committee. Re‐sale items are strictly prohibited. Products for sale are subject to inspection and may be rejected for sale if not of reasonable quality and freshness. All products for sale must meet Vancouver Coastal Health guidelines.
The market is open from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm on Saturdays and 12:30 to 2:30 pm Sundays.
