The Market will open this year as planned, with measures in place to ensure good food and good health for all. Farmers Markets have been designated an essential service in BC. In 35 years of history the South Cariboo Farmers Market has withstood ups and downs of all kinds, and has continued to bring safe, reliable, local, and ethically produced food to the people of our region and beyond.
The year 2020 will go down in the books as one that we went through together, with the farmers and food producers of the South Cariboo writing their part of the story with hard work, and generosity of spirit for the health and well being of our community. We are an agriculture and food-based retail establishment. We love, as much as anyone, to hang at the market and socialize. That will come again, but for this year our focus is to provide fresh healthy food with a minimum of interaction and contact. In keeping with the guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Centre for Disease Control, and the BC Association of Farmers Markets, the South Cariboo Farmers’ Market will provide for healthy distancing between vendors so that we can all briefly drop in to buy our wonderful local food and produce and then leave quickly so that others can do the same. Our hours will be shortened to: 10:00am to 1:00pm.
Vendors and producers will be encouraging customers to pre-order for pickup, and providing for other options as the season and the changing requirements progress. The public should use the online buying tool provided by the BC Association of Farmers Markets. More information will be available here soon: www.southcariboofarmersmarket.org
There will be no non-food vendors until further notice: also no music, entertainment, demonstrations, or seating areas. There will be hand-washing stations throughout the market and food will be handled or touched only by the seller and the purchaser, with safe handling protocols at each vendor booth. Volunteers are essential: we need you. We know that our community is fully behind the effort to flatten the curve of contagion, and to building resilience over the long term. The Farmers Market will have a fraction of its normal operating income this season, and some operational challenges, with these changes. There are many ways that individuals can give us a hand to keep the market vibrant. Contact us to find out how: Phone: 250-938-4651 or email at:
marketmanager@southcariboofarmersmarket.org
Our region is blessed with clean water, clean air, and clean local food. The South Cariboo Farmers Market Board, Management, Members, and Vendors are dedicated to building Food Security for our community, now more than ever.
