The Cedar Farmers Market opens for the summer season on Sunday, May 9 with 80 vendors and much less uncertainty than spring 2020. (Cedar Farmers Market)

By Alex Rawnsley

shop local

Cedar Farmers Market opening for summer season

May 8, 2021 | 6:16 AM

NANAIMO — The time has arrived for people eager for easier access to local produce and artisanal goodies.

The Cedar Farmers Market, one of Vancouver Island’s largest markets, opens its doors for the 2021 summer season on Sunday, May 9.

Kate Poirier, market manager, told NanaimoNewsNOW the feeling heading into this summer is vastly different from the uncertainly and changing rules of last year.

“I’m so excited for this year, a lot of optimism, I feel prepared for everything. I’m not worried, we really have our community on our side. They’re showing up, they’re supporting all of our safety precautions.”

Even under restrictions which severely limited vendors and visitors last year, the Cedar market would often see upwards of 3,000 people during its four hour run.

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Eighty vendors are signed onto the market for 2021, up considerably from the limit of 25 in May 2020.

Poirier said the grounds are taped off with volunteers keeping a close eye on how many people are shopping inside the market zone. A voluntary mask-wearing policy is in place and was well adopted last year and during a one time pop-up market in April.

“It’s not quite business as usual but it’s still fun. We can relax more now because we know exactly what we’re doing and for the most part everyone who is coming shopping is ready and prepared to shop in that environment..”

The Cedar Farmers Market is open every Sunday through the start of October from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the field on Woobank Rd. behind the old Woodbank Elementary School.

Seniors or medically vulnerable shoppers can exclusively enter beginning at 9:30 a.m.

The Island Roots market at Beban Park closed briefly in the spring of 2020 before resuming their weekly Wednesday schedule. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Having survived closures, restrictions and similar uncertainty, the outdoor Island Roots market at Beban Park in Nanaimo is already two weeks old.

After a winter season indoors, the market resumed outside on April 28.

It not only signalled a shift in venue but the return of non-food vendors who were unable to be inside when rules changed in early December.

Michelle Greene, Island Roots market manager, said they’ll host around 40 vendors at their next market on Wednesday, May 12 and are growing every week.

“Our mandate is to provide the venue or interface between customers and vendors. I feel like there’s a strengthened resolve in the community to support local.”

Unlike the voluntary mask wearing policy at the Cedar market, Island Roots requires a mask for vendors and shoppers.

Greene said only a small handful of people are frustrated by the policy with the vast majority coming equipped. She added the market has seen a recent boost in customers, thanks in part to COVID-19.

“The vaccination clinic is going on at Beban, it’s become kind of a draw for the market because people are seeing our signs when they go for their vaccination and then they’re coming to the market.”

The market also operates an online store through their website.

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alex.rawnsley@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley