Local businesses are gathering for the Fort 91原创 Farmers Market every Saturday until Dec. 2.
On Saturday, April 15, the first day of the season, about 50 vendors set up tents and products for the public to see 鈥� despite the cloudy weather.
Malcolm Weatherston, market manager, said its in his blood to foster a community market.
鈥淭his market, as are all our BC Farmers Markets, is an integral part of the community. I think we鈥檝e learned over the past years 鈥� during the pandemic 鈥� to come to rely on our community organizations to help us, help everyone,鈥� he said.
The Fort 91原创 market is one of more than 140 farmers markets in B.C., having expanded in almost every community around the province.
Farmers markets encourage and stimulate growth of new farms and new methods of farming, Weatherston said.
鈥淓verything is all local produce, made in B.C. or produced by the vendors themselves. It鈥檚 very special when you come to the market, the money you spend here goes straight to the farmer.鈥�
Katherine Townsley is one local producer who helps her parents make and sell honey wine from the family business Festina Lenta Estate Winery.
All their meads are made out of honey, which has anti-inflammatory benefits, and come in flavours such as honey, ginger, and blueberry.
鈥淲e do about 35 different varieties of wine, and we鈥檙e super happy to be here,鈥� Townsley said.
Jason Kerssens, and his fiancee Lindsay Reitsema, were also found at the market selling eggs produced from their 400 chickens on Willow Rock Farms in Abbotsford.
The couple met two years ago and within a few months of dating they bought an empty barn and started with 99 chickens.
鈥淲e decided to give it a shot. Now, we have lots of chickens and a very large organic garden, which we supplement our chicken feed with,鈥� Reitsema explained.
There will be even more farmers attending the market in May and June, Weatherston noted.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just amazing to discover new products, new foods, in our fields,鈥� he said.
The market is located at the St. Andrew鈥檚 historic church on Glover Road and will run every Saturday until Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Have a story tip? Email: kyler.emerson@langleyadvancetimes.com
Like us on and follow us on .
