It may still feel at times like winter but farmers' markets are definitely gearing up for spring.
The Coquitlam Farmers Market started its 15th year May 8 with its Mother's Day seasonal opener in the Dogwood Pavilion parking lot and will continue to operate every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Oct. 30.
Meanwhile, the Haney Farmer's Market Society is planning to re-open the Port Coquitlam market at Leigh Square next Thursday, May 26 and the PoCo market run each Thursday until Sept. 15 from 3 to 7 p.m. Next week's event will feature pizza, balcony baskets, a carrot cake cutting and entertainment from the Felice Women's Choir and the Riverside secondary school drumming group.
Both markets will continue to offer a wide range of seasonal produce, prepared foods, artisan breads and unique arts and crafts all made locally in B.C.
As well, expansion plans are also underway for an evening market to run Fridays beginning in July at Coquitlam's Spirit Square; that would go from 4-8 p.m. each Friday through Sept. 16.
The goal of the markets is to meet the need for urban residents living in the expanding city hall area, according to executive director Tabitha McLoughlin. Each week there will kids' activities and entertainment, and an evening concert series featuring local artists and entertainers.
"We hope to create an activity that people will plan to do on a Friday night - come down to the market, pick up some fresh produce and prepared foods for the week ahead, grab some dinner [or pack a picnic dinner], and stay to enjoy the talents of our local entertainers," McLoughlin said in a press release.
For more information about the Coquitlam markets, visit www.makebakegrow.com. For more information about the PoCo market, visit www.haneyfarmersmarket.org
