The downtown Kamloops Farmers' Market.
Image Credit: Shirley Culver
April 21, 2016 - 11:32 AM
KAMLOOPS - As the summer farmer market begins in Kamloops, so will discussions on a potential year long market.
A feasibility study for the Kamloops Regional Farmers’ Market Society looking into a possible year long farmers’ market has received positive feedback, says Daniela Basile a society board member and co-owner of Ssol Gardens with her husband. She says the study was received last week.
“We’re taking the information the feasibility study came up with and we’re going to be reviewing it over the year,” she says. “It’s interesting that it was such a positive response from a lot of vendors”
Since this time of year is busy for farmers, she’s not sure when more progress can be made, but says the study will be discussed at the society’s upcoming AGM. She says there’s a possibility something will be in place for November 2016, but it’s too early to really say what will come, if anything.
Basile is hopeful for a year round market though, and sees the current food situation in Kamloops as an opportunity, with the high cost of winter vegetable and interest in local goods.
“Do we grab the bull by the horns and do something?” she says. “It doesn’t make sense to lay back and do nothing about it.”
She sees potential for a standalone property or partnering with community groups to use an indoor venue.
The Saturday market gets underway this weekend on St. Paul Street between Second and Third Avenues, and will be staying open an hour later, running from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be just over 60 vendors.
The market will start out on the street but as it grows throughout the summer it will move onto Stuart Wood elementary property.
While the future of the school building is uncertain, Farmers' Market manager Amanda Breuer says the market has its permit for the year.
On May 4th, the first Wednesday market of the year will happen on Victoria Street between Third and Fourth Avenues.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Brendan Kergin or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2016