Enjoy local fruit and produce – and maybe a resort getaway.
Until the end of the month, the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets, which includes the Chase Farm & Craft Market, as well as the Shuswap Farm & Craft Market in Salmon Arm, the Blind Bay Farmers’ Market, and Sorrento Village Farmers’ Market, is offering a Meet My Market promotion.
Residents are invited to bring a friend to their favourite farmers’ market this month, fill out a ballot and enter to win a three-night getaway for two to Sparkling Hill Resort on the outskirts of Vernon.
Gene Bailey, manager of the Shuswap farmers’ market, is all for the idea.
“Definitely, it’s getting people who don’t normally attend markets to come down and see what’s available… Then they can reap the benefits of local fruit and produce,” he says.
The Chase Farm & Craft Market is open every Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from May 8 to Sept. 25.
It is located in downtown Chase in the Curling Club parking lot, corner of Shuswap Avenue and Wilson Street.
The Chase market offers a variety of seasonal, locally grown produce, farm fresh eggs, fresh baked goods, gourmet preserves, dry rubs, salsas, BBQ sauces and a selection of unique hand-crafted items. Ample parking is available.
Also participating in Salmon Arm is the Shuswap Family Resource Centre.
Executive director Patti Thurston says the resource centre is in its second year of a three-year pilot program, where families and seniors can apply to take part.
Successful participants receive coupons worth $15 each week to shop at the farmers’ market.
Along with bringing a friend to the market and filling out a ballot, you’re also invited to take a photo at your favourite farmers’ market and post it on social media, tagging @bcfarmersmarket and adding #MeetMyMarket to enter. If you’re not on Instagram or Twitter, you can enter via Facebook on the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets page at www.facebook.com/BCAFM.
All entries will be automatically entered to win one of two grand prizes – the three-night getaway plus wine touring for two to the resort. Social media entrants will also be eligible to win one of the weekly random prize draws for $50 to spend at the farmers’ market of their choice.
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.