Dozens of vendors and thousands of people make up the Cedar Farmers Market every weekend during the spring and summer, an event which is officially B.C.'s best in 2022. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

LITTLE MARKET THAT COULD

‘Absolutely astounding:’ Cedar Farmers Market named top large market in B.C.

Nov 13, 2022 | 6:50 AM

NANAIMO — It’s known for its fresh produce, baked goods and other artisinal items, but now the Cedar Farmers Market has some fresh hardware.

The B.C. Association of Farmers Markets have awarded the weekly Cedar gathering the award for Most Outstanding Community Impact among markets with 80 or more vendors.

Market manager Kate Poirier told NanaimoNewsNOW the honour is very rewarding for the team which puts on the event every Sunday from Mother’s Day to Halloween.

“It’s absolutely astounding to be recognized at the provincial level as a very small, rural village market and we’re really proud of the things we’ve accomplished over the last couple of years.”

Cedar beat out offerings in Qualicum Beach and Kelowna for the honour.

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Poirier said their setup on the field behind the former Woodbank Elementary School has grown exponentially over the years to upwards of 100 vendors every weekend.

“We regularly throughout the season see between 2,000 and 3,000 customers for our market, that essentially doubles the population of the village of Cedar,” Poirier said. “We have about 100 vendors per day, then throughout the six-month season we bring in about 175 different businesses.”

A full slate of live music and other entertainment options complete the event.

Poirier said making the market accessible has been the secret to their success, both in removing any limitations for those in wheelchairs, to ensuring they’re providing free programming to fill what she called a “vacuum of activities” in rural areas.

The market wrapped their season for 2022 with a pre-Halloween market in late October, but will host their final event of the year on Sunday, Nov. 13 with a Christmas-themed event.

Poirier said a host of vendors with handmade gifts and goodies will be on offer, as well as Santa stopping by for photos.

The Qualicum Beach Farmers’ Market took home one award from the BCAFM, with Vanesa Vallese honoured as the volunteer of the year.

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