“To be a farmer… takes immense dedication, fortitude and persistence,” says Carolyn Morris, market manager at Squamish Farmers’ Market. “They really throw their lives into this pursuit and it brings them joy to share their stories and connect with the people who are eating their food.”
That’s why Squamish Farmer’s Market is holding an extra special market day on Saturday, September 13 as part of B.C.’s Farmers Appreciation Week celebrations, giving thanks to the hard-working farmers while enjoying some family fun.
And there’s a lot to celebrate here
in Squamish.
“For the first three years of our farmers’ market we didn’t even have farmers,” says Morris. “Since then it has just grown and grown. We presently have 20 farmers selling fresh produce from all over the area. Fruits from the Okanagan… eggs, beef, honey and chicken.”
On Farmers Appreciation day, shoppers will have 12 farmers to choose from including regular favourites such as Good Time Farming, Laughing Crow Organics, Stony Mountain Farm, Redls Home-Grown Beef, Goldstrike Honey and Rockweld Farm.
In addition to this, the farmers themselves will be sharing their stories of farming, and answering any questions the public might have. There will also be a children’s craft tent, old-fashioned games in the park and a mini-scavenger hunt.
Market booths will be decorated and everyone is encouraged to dress up, so bring along your checkered shirts and straw hats for a fun family day out.
And while filling your reusable cloth bags with tasty, fresh produce, take a moment to think about the immense positive impact that you are having by shopping locally. Every penny you spend goes directly back to the farmers to support them and the future of family farms in our area.
“It’s really important that people are aware that they can vote with their dollar,” says Morris. “Not only are you getting your food and sustenance, but you are also investing in food security in our community. Shoppers have a lot of power in where they choose to spend their money. Spending it on high quality local produce is a wonderful choice to make.”
All fresh produce at Squamish Farmers’ Market is GMO-free, and much is grown without chemical pesticides or fertilizers. And if you want to know more, simply ask.
“Good Time Farming would love to share with you some of their strategies on effective microorganisms and compost teas,” says Morris.
The selection of produce is so abundant at this time of year that it’s possible to buy your weekly shopping from the market alone.
“There will be lots of fresh greens, and there will still be some fruits around,” she says. “But this is the time of year when we see an abundance of garlics, squashes, roots, potatoes, onions… all sorts of things that are fantastic for eating as they are, or for preserving or storing in the root cellar for the upcoming months.”
If you’re stuck for inspiration, why not try making something new such as celeriac soup, moist zucchini cake, or some homemade kimchi.
Squamish Farmers’ Market takes place in downtown Squamish, at the corner of Cleveland Avenue and Victoria Street between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering for this or other Squamish Farmers’ Market events, contact Carolyn Morris at squamishfarmersmarket@hotmail.com.
