After a slight delay, the Whistler Farmers' Market is set to kick off its season on Sunday, July 5.
Vendors will set up at the outdoor area around the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
They include: Aig Produce Osoyoos, Artful Podger, Cacao Now, Frost bites, House of Commune, Laughing Crow Organics, Mandair Farms, Maples Sugar Shack, Playlist Lavender, Plenty Wild Farms, Rainshadow Growers, and Whistler Wood Fired Pizza Company.
“We are excited to be partnering into new locations,” the Whistler Farmers’ Market board of directors said to its members in a letter. “This past week has again been busy working hard to advocate for our entire membership. Our board chair is still in consultation with the Upper Village location and the RMOW to open up more booth space for vendors. For these locations we are at the peril of Vancouver Coastal Health to meet many new regulations and challenges during these times.”
Due to COVID-19 physical-distancing rules, the market would have only been able to host 17 vendors at its regular Upper Village location, a number the board said was too low to keep it viable.
The board and market manager made an application to the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) Day Lot Parking Committee with the goal of hosting the market behind the Audain Art Museum on the day lot connector road. The RMOW rejected the application listing several reasons, including traffic flow and work being conducted in the area.
In the letter, the board said its current acceptance criteria for vendors includes being located in the catchment area of Lions Bay to Lillooet and having market seniority.
“Until confirmation of other locations becomes available we will aim to maximize opportunity for as many vendors as possible,” the letter said. “If no other locations become available we will work through best solutions to help as many vendors have the opportunity to sell.”
“Our goal is still to get as many booths active as possible in locations that will thrive throughout the 2020 season and we thank you for your patience as it unfolds.”
