GROWING WITH THE TIMES

by Kait Burgan photos by Rae-Anne Guenther

Sparkling light dances on waves in the Salish Sea; bright, fragrant flowers and early morning sun leads to endless pink and orange sunsets; backyard BBQ’s and outdoor dinner parties enjoyed with neighbours, friends and family and foraging at a nearby Farmers’ Market. These are all tell-tale signs of summer on Vancouver Island.

FARMERS’ MARKETS ADAPT

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Scenes from the Errington and Qualicum Beach Saturday markets. Measures are in place to help keep shoppers safe, and well stocked with fresh local produce.

As we all know, this year is different. Many of us haven’t seen our family or friends in many weeks, and most of our treasured summer activities have been put on hold while we mitigate COVID-19. Farmers’ Markets too, are adapting in these uncertain times. The Qualicum Beach Farmers’ Market runs year-round on Saturday mornings from 8:30 to noon. 2020 is the first year since its start in 1997 that organizers have faced the reality of not being able to continue.

“When the pandemic first hit, we weren’t considered an essential service,” says market manager, Launie Elves. This is her first year in the role, and it’s safe to say that the learning curve has been steep. It didn’t help that local media ran a story that included photographs from previous years, depicting vendors and people enjoying the market in pre-COVID times. The images of a past market environment at the peak of a pandemic sparked an outcry from the public who assumed, based on the article, that it was business as usual at the QB Market. It wasn’t.

The only thing Launie could do was proactively adapt. She worked closely with the British Columbia Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM), an umbrella organization that supports, develops and promotes farmers’ markets across the province, as well as the BC Centre for Disease Control. After a two-week shutdown in late March and some fairly intense meetings with the Town of Qualicum Beach—the market leases the land from the town—the vendors were back. Shoppers could once again enjoy foraging for locally grown, handmade, non-processed food with social distancing protocols in place and limits on the number of vendors and shoppers. There is no live music or the usual Legion Pancake Breakfast, and there are designated routes, and distance lines marked as in groceries stores.

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More scenes from the Errington and Qualicum Beach Saturday markets. COVID-19 protocols do not seem to hamper shoppers' enthusiasm.

“It’s been quite a ride,” says Launie. “I won’t lie and tell you that it’s been easy. It’s been really hard. It’s also been really rewarding to watch everyone come together. As restrictions loosen, we are adding more vendors, ensuring that we maintain capacity limits and social distancing protocols. It’s inspiring to see that the value of locally grown produce, artisan-baked goods and sustainable meat products are recognized as being vital to our health as a community and as individuals.”

At the Errington Market, open Saturday mornings from 9 am to 1 pm, things are different from the way it used to be, but like everyone, organizers have adapted. The atmosphere has changed drastically from previous years. In normal times, vendors nestle under the trees, some displaying their goods at permanent wooden booths. There are vendors at the entranceway and in a small clearing, and a concession stand serves fantastic coffee and homemade food. Children run freely through the woods and musicians entertain from a rustic and charming wooden stage.

Now, due to COVID-19, music is not allowed because it encourages people to gather, and social distancing under the trees presents a challenge. Nicole Shaw, president of the Errington Market Society, says at the beginning of the outbreak, there was fear, some of which stemmed from watching what was happening in Qualicum Beach.

“The farmers’ market is a much shorter supply chain than the grocery stores, which were considered an essential service,” Nicole says. “You’re dealing directly with the farmer, and we’re the only ones that have touched your food.” Nicole and her partner Dirk Becker operate Transfarmation, growing 16,000 pounds of vegetables and fruit by hand on one of 15 acres in Errington.

Instead of setting up shop beneath the trees, vendors at Errington Market now set up in a horseshoe shape on the field that used to be for parking. They are two meters apart and cones indicate appropriate spacing for shoppers.

Despite the change in ambience, there remains a strong sense of coming together and appreciation for a life connected to the land and the people who harvest and create from it. There’s also a sense of relief that farmers’ markets were finally recognized as an essential part of life. The Errington Market runs until the end of September with a year-end celebration on October 3.

In addition to the Qualicum Beach and Errington Farmers’ Markets, the extremely popular Summer by the Sea Street Market in Parksville has also made some adjustments. Not a true farmers’ market in that imported and manufactured goods are available, this year’s event will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 pm to 8 pm with a 20-vendor limit at the Parksville Visitor Centre, 1275 East Island Highway.

There is detailed information about vendors, locations, protocols and much more online. To learn more, visit erringtonfarmersmarket.ca, qbfarmersmarket.com and parksvillechamber.com/events/summer-by-the-sea-market.