Submitted by:
Meghan Rose |

The Swan Valley Farmers’ Markets season opener,
July 19th, 2012 from
4:00pm to 6:00pm,
will feature all of its regular garden produce and home baking as well as live music by the Country Gems.

Every product sold by the vendors at market is grown, raised, baked or made within 100 kilometres of the Swan River Valley. No store can compete with fruit and vegetables picked the same day they’re sold. That’s why the local food trend is spreading across the country, with farmers’ markets at the heart.

There is peace of mind knowing where your food comes from and having the opportunity to ask the farmer questions about its production. When you shop at a farmers market you can ask “when was this vegetable harvested”, “was it grown chemically free”, “are there any allergens in this product”. That’s because you’re buying from the farmers, the bakers and the crafters that create each and every product sold at market. When you buy local, you are supporting Manitoba producers and Manitoba’s agriculture and food sectors, creating jobs and building sustainable communities. New markets are popping up across Manitoba every year. In Manitoba’s Local Produce Guide 2011 there are 103 locations for you to buy Manitoba food. These unconventional grocery stores take the shape of farmers’ markets, pre-picked and U-pick garden stands and community supported agriculture (CSA) farms.

For a complete list of markets, vegetables stands and farm gate sales visit www.gov.mb/agriculture/food/buymanitoba.html.

The SVFM is excited by these trends
and is happy to be hosting vendors with fresh produce from local gardens and delicious home baking and preserves. You can purchase these products every Thursday 4:00-6:00pm from July 19th to October 4th. As a registered temporary food market, SVFM follows all the rules and regulations of Manitoba Public Health and is subject to inspection. The market members have gone above and beyond by taking the MarketSafe certification course, offered by the Assiniboine Community College. You can enjoy safe, fresh, local food this summer by shopping at the Swan Valley Farmers’ Market.

The SVFM board gives back to the community and is offering a “community table” this year to non-profit organizations to use, free of charge, for fundraising and advertising. Community groups like 4-H, sports teams or service clubs can sell hotdogs/hamburgers, icecream, cold drinks or hot coffee to raise money for their clubs or events. “We hope to make our market an event to attend this summer. We want our customers to stay awhile, have a bite to eat, listen to some local musical talent and visit with community members,” says SVFM president Yoenne Ewald. This year the weekly Thursday markets will feature live music, hot food and cold drinks so bring a chair and stay awhile.

The market board is always looking for more members to keep the market full and vibrant. If you are interested in selling garden produce, baking, meat products or crafts at the Swan Valley Farmers Market, or are interested in using the “community table” contact Meghan Rose at Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, GO office 734-3417.