The Burnaby Artisan Farmers’ Market just kicked off its eighth year and now has licence to celebrate.
The market has grown considerably since it began in 2008, adding nearly 30 new vendors to this season’s rotating schedule. For the first time in its history, the market will feature a selection of alcohol vendors.
“Thanks to the hard work of city council who rezoned our space and updated our mandate for licence, we are able to host locally-produced wine and spirits vendors,” said Ron Goreman, Burnaby market manager. Sons of Vancouver Distillery and Dragon Mist Distillery are among the new merchants serving up speciality liqueurs at the market.
Customer seating and parking has also increased as the market’s vendor base continues to expand.
“The fact we are definitely looking for traffic flow volunteers and encouraging folks to use the (Burnaby Central Secondary School) parking lot this year speaks to our growth in customers and vendors,” Goreman said.
According to Goreman, the market is working to increase its profile via social media and a variety of community partnerships. A Twitter campaign invites visitors to take photos in a big, red chair on site and tweet it out with the hashtags, #BigRedChair and #BurnabyFarmersMarket.
“It is a fun, easy way people can help get the word out about the market,” he said.
This season, the market is partnering with the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion and Burnaby Family Life to participate in the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program. The initiative aims to strengthen food security by providing coupons to low-income families that can be used to purchase locally-grown market produce, meat, eggs and cheese at a discounted rate.
As for the future, the market hopes to incorporate a sponsored food demonstration area and space to host barbecue events, but for now, Goreman said management is pleased with its progress.
“The synergistic passion of the board, management and vendors has really kept us growing and people can feel that at the market,” he said. “It really is a community hub for all kinds of folks.”
Burnaby Artisan Farmers' Market runs from May to October, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market is located in the north parking lot of Burnaby City Hall, 4949 Canada Way. For more information, visit the market's new site, artisanmarkets.ca
