The Cochrane Farmers’ Market is back in town next weekend.
Farm fresh to your table is what local and surrounding area farmers will be offering every Saturday at the Cochrane Ranche from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. rain or shine, starting June 4.
“Usually there is not much (produce) available at the first market of the year but with the great weather we have been having hopefully we will be off to a great start,” said Valerie McCracken, market manager.
Along with farmers and artisans, organizers typically attempt to host live entertainment during the market, including buskers.
Last year, the market also hosted the inaugural Mat2Market, a free yoga class offered by Green Lotus Studio for individuals of all yoga skill levels.
“The yoga sessions were received so well last year that we thought we would offer it again this year,” McCracken said.
Organizers are also busy trying to finalize details to potentially host a guest chef at the markets, where the chef would use locally grown ingredients and show guests how to use the produce in everyday dishes.
“Everything is in the works right now,” McCracken said.
“We are excited for the upcoming market. The market is about education and reconnecting, we encourage guests to talk to farmers about how things grow … this is also an opportunity to engage.”
This is the 18th year for the Cochrane farmers’ market, operated and sponsored by the Cochrane Environmental Action Committee (CEAC). Run by CEAC volunteers, all the proceeds from the market go to support CEAC in efforts to make Cochrane more environmentally aware and active community.
The Cochrane Farmers’ Market is Alberta Approved Farmers’ Markets, as approved by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD). The ARD criteria require markets to maintain an 80/20 local/non-local split; local determined as from within the province.
If anyone is interested in volunteering or becoming a vendor, email the market manager at [email protected].
For more information, visit the official Facebook page at the ‘Cochrane Farmers’ Market.
