The Martensville Farmers Market is hoping to boost visibility by moving to an outdoor location in a high-traffic commercial area on Centennial Drive.
The market will set up in the Martensville Corner Store parking lot at the intersection of Centennial Drive and 3rd Street North. The location is close to Canadian Tire and other retail stores.
“It’s a very visible spot,” said Martensville Farmers Market coordinator Marjan Petter. “I think it will really help increase people’s awareness that there is a farmers market where they can buy fresh fruit and vegetables.”
The farmers market is targeting Wednesday, July 8 as its opening day. That’s when the first crop of locally-grown new vegetables should be ready, said Petter, who owns and operates Petter Farms, located in the RM of Corman Park about halfway between Osler and Martensville.
The farmers market will be open Wednesdays from 10 am to 2 pm, beginning July 8 and continuing until late September or early October.
Petter said the farmers market will follow the safety guidelines set out by provincial health authorities to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. She noted that by the time the Martensville Farmers Market opens in early July, the restrictions may be different than those currently in place.
“It’s a constantly-changing environment,” she said. “Hopefully, things will change for the better as the weeks go by.”
Petter said the focus of the market is currently on fresh produce. She added that vendors who produce home-baked goods, crafts and other products are encouraged to join the farmers market organization and participate in the weekly sales. Any vendors interested in joining can contact her at petterfarms@gmail.com or text 306-260-7395.
The move to an outdoor location promises to be a breath of fresh air for the Martensville Farmers Market, according to Martensville Economic Development Officer Dillon Shewchuk.
“For the last six years it’s been housed in the curling rink,” said Shewchuk. “It provided protection from inclement weather, but it was not very visible.
“The first few years after it started, the organizers felt it was important to have an indoor market with sufficient electricity, washrooms and other amenities. The curling rink was the only facility that could accommodate it.”
Shewchuk noted that in its second year of existence, the Martensville Farmers Market experimented with an outdoor market at Martensville City Hall. But it didn’t pan out.
“This year, I think with the location they have picked out, it should work for them,” said Shewchuk. “The farmers market has gone through quite a few changes of leadership over the years, and the people in charge this year have a lot of experience and are very knowledgeable, so I think it will be very successful.”
Shewchuk said the city supports the endeavour, but has always encouraged the farmers market to be an independent entity.
“In the first few years the city put quite a few resources into it to help get it off the ground,” said Shewchuk. “It’s nice to see it become more autonomous.”