Another season of the Williams Lake Farmers’ Market is set to kick off this May.
The official starting date for the market is slated for Friday May 10, but an earlier special event alongside the Williams Lake Food Policy Council’s Seedy Saturday, combined with an early bird Farmers’ Market on Saturday May 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., will help kick-start festivities a week earlier. The early bird event will take place at the market site beside Kiwanis Park.
Seedy Saturday and all of the Friday markets will take place at the Kiwanis Park site and run from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.. The last Friday market will be on Oct. 11.
Barb Scharf, market manager, said that event details are still in the early stages but there are some things that spring to mind, such as the return of a second market day to their roster. Tuesday markets will start on June 11 and run until Sept. 24. They will also take place at the same Kiwanis Park site and will run from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m.
READ MORE: Tuesday evening Farmers Market delights lakecity
Scharf also noted that many returning vendors have already signed up, as well as a few new vendors who will be attending for the first time.
“[Last year] ended with a record number of vendors,” she said. “It looks like we are off to a very strong start in 2024.”
Things to look forward to this season are cut flower bouquets, spring vegetables, and plenty of food for everyone to enjoy.
“We already have a great array of food and baking people lined up, so there will be lots of delicious food to eat at the market or take home for later,” Scharf said.
There will also be livestock producers bringing in frozen cuts of beef, pork and lamb, as well as a variety of sausages, jerky, smoked meats and more. Lots of farm fresh eggs will be available as well.
In addition to food, there will be arts and crafts along with home and personal products such as handmade soaps and candles.
The Williams Lake Farmers’ Market is a member of the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets, and its mandate is all about supporting local agriculture. The market operates with the needs of local food producers in mind, while also welcoming numerous artisans and craftspeople.
“The Farmers’ Market provides a mutually beneficial venue where producers and consumers can directly interact,” Scharf explained. “Customers get to know the people who grow and make the food and artisan wares they take home, and vendors benefit from a direct sales site with a very low overhead.”
The market is operated by the Cariboo Direct Farm Market, a registered non-profit society, and all vendor fees go towards operating the community event.
READ MORE: Williams Lake Farmers’ Market enjoys sunny skies for opening market
