The Battlefords & District Farmers Market will be held Saturday mornings in the Living Faith Chapel parking lot. (Facebook/Battlefords & District Farmers Market)

By Martin Martinson

Saturday Morning Special

Local farmers market to reopen this weekend

May 22, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Produce loving residents in the Battlefords and area will have a chance to enjoy some fresh air as they pick up their garden goods this weekend, at the Battlefords & District Farmers Market.

The farmers market is a yearly occurence held in the Living Faith Chapel parking lot, that’s established itself as a Saturday morning staple of the spring and summer months in the community.

However, as manager of the event, Alanna Priel told battlefordsNOW, it didn’t always seem like a slam-dunk that the event would be held this year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resulting precautions.

“[We were all] pretty excited to be able to go ahead this year, as we really didn’t think it was even going to happen initially,” she said. “The city gave us the go-ahead last week, after the province said yes as well which was great.”

Priel said they’re grateful for the opportunity to go-ahead with the event this year and provide residents in the Battlefords and area a chance to shop local for their goods; adding that minor adjustments have been made to help ensure it is a safe environment for all.

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“This year we have to practice social distancing, every marketer has to have their own sanitization and hand sanitizer, and then we’re just asking customers to not touch any merchandise,” she said.

In addition to produce, the market also includes baked goods, craft vendors, and personally designed woodwork, among other specialties depending on the week.

The market will run each Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and could last as late into the season as weather permits, sometimes as late as Thanksgiving.

About eight vendors are expected to be on hand for opening weekend, with an average of as many as 15 per weekend later in the season when vegetables really start producing.

Priel said what makes the Battlefords & District Farmers Market truly unique from other markets and grocers, is the homemade, community aspect.

“Another rule of ours is you either have to make it, bake it, or grow it,” she said. “That keeps it authentic. There’s no multilevel marketing companies or anything like that.”

Heading into opening weekend, Priel said she hopes to see people take advantage of the opportunity to shop local and support community growers.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1