Saturday Mornings at the Farmers' Market

Faint guitar notes rise and fall as my friend and I pull in to the packed parking lot of the Errington Farmers' Market. It's ten minutes past opening and people are already bringing armloads of plants, baked goods, and vegetables back to their cars. One individual balances a bag full of tomato plants in one hand and a fresh baked cinnamon bun in the other. Steam still rises off the bun and butter and sugar pool on the plate around it. Laughter, conversation, the odd dog barking, and the sound of excited children drift through the trees of the community park and meld with the sights, smells, and energy creating a now familiar feast for the senses. It's market day and the season has just begun!

For 35 years, Saturday mornings in Errington, BC. have been dedicated to sharing the harvest, crafts, and homecooking. It's an organic affair! Artists display pottery inspired by coastal wildlife, natural stone jewelry, and photographs of local birdlife and scenery. Bakers showcase culinary skills with gluten free baking, fresh cinnamon raisin bread, pies, cakes, and cookies. Farmers display their talent with giant romaine lettuce, sweet cherry tomatoes, and vegetable plants showing the promise of a bountiful harvest.

This is a community event where children laugh while playing tag int the ball field next door and old friends reconnect over coffee and sticky buns. There's no rush here, time slows down and the stress of the word week loosens and falls away. It's a picture postcard of sustainable living that meets the six major tenets of food security: fresh, local, seasonal, organic, sustainable and fun.

Farmers' Markets are not a new concept, neither are farm stands. Made of unsophisticated wooden structures or bins, stands, at one time, were a common scene at the end of farm driveways. They provided self serve access to rural and suburban neighbours. Most required little in the way of cost to the farmer to operate as many were on the honour system, but they did necessitate the customer traveling farther distances to purchase all they needed.

Markets on the other hand gathered farmers and artisans together in one place, either in an open field with tail gates open or in covered buildings. They provided an even better format for farmers, bringing greater numbers of customers to a more central location. This cut back on traveling time for the consumer dramatically.

In the past fifty years however, giant super stores have seduced us away from the local farmers markets, offering dizzying variety, exotic imports, and pre-made 'fast packaged foods' that promise value and time saving.

This year, with food security becoming an issue on the local and global level, farmers everywhere are even more dedicated to bringing their goods to those who need them.

Markets are cropping up everywhere. On Vancouver Island, Nanaimo now offers them in three different locations. Victoria has four markets including the Moss Street Market where you can participate in many planned family events.

Most of the more populated Gulf Islands, like Saltspring and Gabriola have farmers' markets as well, and with many artists calling these areas home, the market connoisseur can find many unique offerings in both food and art.

As our email goes out to a global community here is a list of searchable websites from around the world. Listings for markets in Europe, the Middle East and Asia can be found by googling individual countries. However, many Asian and Middle Eastern have an abundance of open air markets with local, fresh produce.

If you really like the atmosphere and concept of the farmers' market why not consider participating as a vendor? The cost to rent a table is minimal and the satisfaction, sublime. Children learn how to produce, market, and sell a product, and make a little money as well. Get a few families together, making arts and crafts. Make it a community event. Crafts don't have to be complicated: beaded earrings, pin cushions, Christmas decorations, or simple wood art are all good bets.

Food security is not an issue to be taken lightly or considered someone else's problem. It is a global concern. At the turn of the century Vancouver Island provided residents with 60-80% of its food needs, now it only provides 6%. By supporting local farmers, and shopping at a farmers' market we ensure continued food production on our island and create links between our families and good food.

SBI!