Fresh fruits and vegetables will be in abundance when the biggest farmers’ market in the Foothills opens its doors in three weeks.
The Millarville Farmers' Market received the green light to host its annual seasonal market at the Millarville Racetrack on June 20 - right on schedule - but market manager Melonie McKee said there will be several changes including restrictions on the number of vendors and visitors in light of the current situation Alberta is facing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There’s been a lot of planning and discussions with government officials and Alberta Health Services,” she said. “We’ll be going week by week. As restrictions lift we can add more vendors and music. It’s all in the hands of the government at the moment.”
The market runs Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Oct. 30, unless otherwise mandated by Alberta Health Services. The public can also shop at the Millarville Racetrack and Agricultural Society’s (MRAS) online shopping hub by clicking here.
McKee said the farmers’ market will operate at half capacity, with an estimated 80 Foothills and southern Alberta vendors spaced eight feet apart. There will also be fruit trucks from British Columbia.
With customers prohibited from touching products, those offering food samples must do so in sealed containers.
McKee said the market experience will not only be foreign to vendors, but to shoppers as well.
With a shop-don’t-stop mentality, McKee said visitors will follow a flow of foot traffic with only two customers allowed at each vendor.
“We just want them to go in and out quickly to keep the line moving,” she said. “There will be one directional flow through the market and we’ll be counting how many are going in and how many are going out.”
Parking will occur on site in the outer lots within the facility and the line up of people waiting to enter the market will be along the roadway, said McKee.
This means volunteers will be in abundance.
“We will need volunteers at the entrance and exit and making sure people are following the directional flow and wiping down high touch surfaces like the port-o-potties,” she said.
McKee said the concession will be closed, live music and the hay rides have been cancelled, entry into buildings is prohibited and seating won’t be provided. Food trucks will be stationed at the exit for visitors to purchase before heading home.
McKee said she’s been receiving numerous inquiries in recent weeks asking if and when the market will open.
“The market is part of the community and people are so looking forward to getting their fresh vegetables,” she said. “It’s an essential service and it’s helping the small businesses. A lot of those vendors don’t have an outlet to move their product outside of a farmers market.”
In addition to the market going ahead, the MRAS will open its campground July 1 by reservation only with a minimum three nights stay.
The society also plans to open its outdoor riding arena in mid-June by reservation only, allowing a limited number of riders, while the indoor arena and racetrack hall aren’t expected to open until this fall, unless provincial restrictions lift sooner.
Those attending the market this season will be asked to make a donation rather than pay the $3 per vehicle fee.
For more details about the Millarville Farmers' Market visit http://www.millarvilleracetrack.com/
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