Editor:
The Williams Lake Food Policy Council would like to celebrate farmer’s market season here in the Cariboo.
Williams Lake is home to two farmer’s markets — the long-standing Williams Lake Farmer’s Market on Fridays in Boitanio Park and the Oliver Street Market held Saturdays in Herb Gardner Park.
Why should we make a point to shop at our local farmer’s markets?
I could list many reasons, such as the supurb taste locally grown food has, being able to ask questions about what you put in your body, etc, but I think one of the strongest things our town has going for it is the community of people who support our local food producers.
Every year, I am continually impressed at what a strong network of people we have concerned about eating locally.
My favourite thing about being at a farmer’s market in Williams Lake is seeing the familiar faces of vendors and customers, many of whom are people I only see at market.
With the first few weeks behind us, it’s a feeling of coming out of hibernation, meeting up with people I haven’t seen since the last markets in October, excitingly filling each other in on our “winter” lives, etc. And at the same time, feelings of peace and comfort, like there has been no time lost between us and that our “summer” lives have resumed.
The markets are also regular stopping points to newcomers to our town; I have been very lucky to meet people from all over the world through our farmer’s markets, people I would otherwise never have met.
I cannot express how much hope the Williams Lake Farmer’s Market and the Oliver Street Market give me for the future of our town.
These two vibrant, weekly (seasonal) events give us the opportunity to continue building a strong network of people, the basis of any strong community, here in Williams Lake.
The Williams Lake Food Policy Council would like to thank all those who support our local food producers, and encourage everyone to stop by one or both of our farmers markets this season.
Michelle Daymond
Food action co-ordinator
Williams Lake Food Policy Council