The Agassiz Farm Fresh Market is in full summer swing.
The sun shines brightly on the tent tops while in the shade underneath, vendors smile at customers and passers-by. It's a sight to behold: baskets of kale and jars of pickled garlic, finely-detailed jewelry beckons from one booth while intricately woven baskets sit at another. Homemade bags and aprons flutter in a slight breeze, bright red strawberries and dark red raspberries picked fresh for the buying. Neighbours chat while doing their shopping, a coming-together of errands and entertainment in one parking lot.
The Agassiz farmer's market has been going strong for six years now. This season, a new marketing co-ordinator joined the team. Jenna Kliever, an Agassiz local back home for the summer, took over the role from busy museum / visitor centre manager Judy Pickard.
Kliever invites everyone to come check out the market and see for themselves the bounty we have around us.
"It's such a plentiful time of year, you might as well take advantage of it while you can," urges Kliever.
Kliever has a passion to support local small business and says it is great that at the market, you can get up close and personal with the vendors such as Aaron Oss of Ossome Acres.
Oss says farmer's markets are a great place to not only promote his business and sell fresh produce, but he gets to meet customers face-to-face and answer any questions they may have.
Ossome Acres set up at the Agassiz Farm Fresh Market about four or five years ago and have returned this year to our small-town market.
The number of vendors fluctuates weekly, averaging 13 to 14 each week.
The Agassiz Farm Fresh Market takes place in the museum parking lot at 7011 Pioneer Avenue every Thursday afternoon from now through to September, 3-6 p.m.
July is Meet my Market month at all BC Farmers' Markets. The province-wide campaign invites you to bring along a friend to your favourite farmers' market. Fill out a ballot at the info. booth, post a picture of your favourite farmers' market and hashtag #MeetMyMarket and tag @BCFarmersmarket.
The grand prize is one of two getaways for two, plus wine touring, to the Sparkling Hills Resort in the Okanagan. On social media, there will also be weekly prize draws throughout July for $50 to spend at the farmers' market of your choice.
Forms are available at the Agassiz Farm Fresh Market, where you can take a picture, post it and have a chance to win a great getaway! If you are not on Instagram or Twitter, you can enter the contest via the BC Farmers Market Facebook page too. The contest is put on by the BC Association of Farmers' Markets.
Elizabeth Quinn, executive director at the BC Association of Farmers' Markets, says this is a chance to invite others to the join in the farmer's market style of shopping.
"There's no doubt that people in BC are passionate supporters of their local farmers' markets. With Meet My Market month, we're encouraging our loyal visitors to introduce a friend to their market - and to show off the beautiful in season foods, and the great neighbourhood experience they love," says Quinn.
Across the province, more than 125 farmers' markets offer an abundance of locally grown food and locally made goods, along with community fun including live music, children's activities, cooking classes, artisan workshops and a place for neighbourhoods to come together.
Says BC Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick, "There's something special about every farmers' market and I encourage everyone to share their favourite with a friend, as well as visiting a few more. When you visit your local farmers' market you can see and taste what BC has to offer and all while supporting local jobs and businesses."
The contest runs until July 31. For more information, see www.bcfarmersmarket.org/