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Cochrane Farmers' Market connecting guests with local creators

“It’s a really well-rounded shopping experience and it’s great because we have people who bring their basket and that’s their Saturday shopping for the week."

COCHRANE— Offering guests a chance to peruse local hand-crafted products, the Cochrane Farmers' Market has kicked off its 23rd annual season.

The core of the Farmers’ Market is celebrating local and regional producers, growers, makers and farmers, said Market manager Valerie McCracken. During a visit, guests can visit a wide selection of products ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables, to proteins, to handcrafted pre-made meals and unique items created by artisans.

She added as an approved Alberta Farmers’ Market they are also able to offer wine, mead and products from distilleries.

“It’s a really well-rounded shopping experience and it’s great because we have people who bring their basket and that’s their Saturday shopping for the week,” McCracken said. “We really want to provide that full shopping experience.”

The Cochrane Farmers’ Market is proud to be an Alberta Approved Farmers’ Market, McCracken said, and is sponsored and operated by the Cochrane Environmental Action Committee. It is run by a committed group of volunteers and the proceeds raised at the Market support the committee's work to make Cochrane a more environmentally aware and active community.

McCracken said this year the Farmers’ Market is expecting to feature between 50 to 60 vendors each week at the Cochrane community hub the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre parking lot.

“We really have a great assortment and number of vendors to shop with,” McCracken said.

Over the summer season, McCracken said, she hopes to see the number of vendors who call the Market home grow and evolve as confidence grows as COVID-19 numbers potentially decline.

One of her favourite parts of the Farmers’ Market is the opportunity guests have to visit and chat with local producers.

Rain or shine the Market is a great opportunity to get outside and learn more about the community's local food scene, McCracken said.

“You can get a sense of what they do and how they do it. It’s a great way to spend a few hours shopping and getting to know your local food."

The Cochrane Farmers’ Market is celebrating its 23rd year of operation in 2021, McCracken said, and one of the unique aspects of the Market has seen vendors who have participated in the adventure since the beginning.

“We have three vendors that have been with us since the very beginning— Mountain View Colony, Innisfail Growers and then three ladies who are known as the Mad Crafters who have been crocheting their hearts out for 23 years,” McCracken said. “We have several others who have been in the 10 years, 12 years category. We have a lot of vendors that have really been with us and are at the heart of our Market.”

Over the years she has seen a wide array of vendors participate in the Market, McCracken said, and she has treasured the experience of seeing them find success and grow their place in the community.

“Markets are great incubators for new business. There’s a few that as soon as they start at the Market, I’m like, ‘That vendor is going to do well.’”

Some vendors use the Market as a space to launch a product and establish their place in the local economy, she said, and it is exciting to see these local vendors connect with visitors and find success.

“You’re going to see rising starts when you come to a Farmers’ Market,” McCracken said. “There’s real hidden gems.”

It has been challenging to adapt to COVID-19 and in 2020 the Cochrane Farmers’ Market moved from its home base at the Historic Cochrane Ranche to the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre parking lot under the new name The Cochrane Farmers’ Market— Market by the Bow.

The move to the Sports Centre was necessary to adapt to public health measures, but has offered a new experience for guests. The re-location has proven to be an effective way to provide a safe experience for customers because it is a big open space where guests and vendors can spread out.

McCracken said the new space by the Bow River offers lots of parking for customers and its centralized and easily-accessed place in Town gives people the opportunity to explore Cochrane as a whole. 

“We’re right on the river trails. What a great thing, you can come to the Market and go explore. You can go for a walk around the river,” McCracken said. “You can come to Market and then go explore the rest of Cochrane.”

The Cochrane Farmers' Market opened for the summer season on Saturday, June 5. It will take place every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre parking lot until October. For more information visit cochranefarmersmarket.ca or connect with vendors on the Facebook  page facebook.com/groups/cochranefarmersmarket.

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