SUNDRE — The manager of the Bergen Farmers’ Market is pleased the provincial government has deemed the service as an essential agricultural business.
“It’s good. People are always looking for good quality food, crafts and so forth, and you will find that at our market — lots of homegrown and homemade stuff,” said Shelley Ingeveld.
The first market of the season was held Saturday, June 27, running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will continue weekly at the Bergen Community Hall until Sept. 12 for a total of 12 markets, said Ingeveld.
“We have quite a few vendors booked in and paid already,” she said.
Provided the weather is suitable, she said the market will be set up outside.
“If the weather is inclement, and the hall is not rented, we have a few bookings for the summer. If the hall is rented then we have to be outside regardless of the weather,” she said, adding tables are moved inside if the weather turns for the worse and the hall is vacant.
Plans are even in place for the Thanksgiving and Christmas markets in October and November, she said.
The Bergen Farmers’ Market is observing its 10th anniversary this year, and to celebrate, organizers are planning to introduce Bergen Market Bucks, which were expected to be distributed to campgrounds and tourism centres as they reopen, as well as at some local stores and businesses, and people can redeem them for products at the Bergen market as a thank-you celebration for the anniversary, she said.
“If we can’t get into the campgrounds and the tourist booth, we’ll find other avenues to distribute them around the community that are open,” she said, optimistic that physical distancing restrictions have been eased off enough that people will be able to move about more.
“Hopefully, people will come to the market and see how great we really are.”
