Major work parties have been taking place over the past several weeks to spruce up the grounds, booths and facilities at Powell River Farmers’ Market in Paradise Valley for its season-opening weekend.
While the market offers a central location for residents and visitors to buy locally grown produce, eggs, bread and meat, just as important is the function it serves as a gathering place that promotes social interaction and reduces social isolation for some people in our community.
Meeting up with family and friends or bumping into old acquaintances goes hand in hand with checking out the latest crafts, wares and plants for sale, sampling local food and international dishes or heading to that one booth that always has your favourite snack.
Increasing concern about local food security and what is used to grow our food has provided an impetus for people to make investments in farming over the past several years. Each season it seems there is a new farm in the region. As well as individuals, stores and restaurants are supporting those farms by purchasing their produce, eggs and meat. Farm gate booths dot various roadways and the two-day weekly market is yet another avenue for sales.
Powell River’s history is filled with stories about farming families from Stillwater to Lund. It was home to more than a few dairy farms and home milk delivery was the norm.
Perhaps the most endearing aspect of the market is the onstage entertainment, provided by a carousel of local musicians from a variety of backgrounds, styles and age groups.
A reason is not required for heading to the market, nor is a full wallet or purse. A leisurely Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon can be spent lounging near the stage or on the grass, listening to music and conversing with friends or strangers.
Prior to the opening weekend, behind the scenes work in preparation for visitors goes largely unnoticed, except for the most ardent followers on social media, but chores involving blowing, raking and gathering leaves and moving a winter’s worth of other accumulated fallen debris have been undertaken by a team of volunteers and vendors to have the grounds ready for the crowds.
By the time the first visitor walks into the market, garden areas will be spruced up, booths will be updated, wiped down and prepped, picnic tables will be set up, the sandbox will be filled and infrastructure projects, including washroom facility updates, will be complete.
Farmers is the main word in the market’s name, however, it is about much more than food. It fills a social need as well as our bellies.
