By Adam Donnelly

Kamloops Farmer’s Market ready to kick off 40th year

Apr 20, 2018 | 4:46 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s a sure sign spring is in full swing: the Kamloops Farmer’s Market is gearing up to kick off its 40th anniversary in 2018. On Saturday morning, local farmers, artisans, bakers, and a variety of producers will congregate on St Paul Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues to sell their wares; due to our less-than-stellar spring weather, the selection may not be what it usually is.

Anyone who’s encountered Ed Basile of SSOL Gardens at the Farmer’s Market knows he’s been blessed with the ability to talk; when he speaks he speaks with passion, especially when it comes to growing organic produce at the farm he and his wife Daniela run.

Like many farmers in the area, Ed and Daniela haven’t been able to as much as they would like to do to the cold, wet weather we’ve been experiencing.

“About a third of these plants [in the greenhouse] would have been on the ground,” Basile explained. “If the soil isn’t warm and accepting, you’re actually harming the plant, because they just won’t grow in soil that is cool.”

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According to the Kamloops Farmer’s Market Manager Greg Unger, this slow start to the growing season will likely affect how many farmers will be at the first Farmer’s Market of the season, and the variety of produce they have to offer

“Because it has been a cold season, there are a few less agricultural vendors than in previous years,” Unger said. “Not to worry, there will still be agricultural vendors, there’s going to be lots of artisan vendors… all kinds of fun stuff.”

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Kamloops Farmer’s Market. According to Unger, market organizers have a few special events planned to celebrate the milestone

“Keep your eyes peeled,” Under told CFJC Today. “We’re going to be doing some birthday celebrations maybe in June. 40 years is a long time.”

And while SSOL Gardens might not have as many plants in the ground as they might if the weather was warmer, they’re still growing, so once the sun finally does come out they’ll be ready.