By Tanya Cronin

Winter Farmers’ Market kicks off indoors

Nov 2, 2016 | 4:55 PM

KAMLOOPS — As the temperature outside drops, those still looking to purchase fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade crafts will be toasty warm over the next couple of months, as the Kamloops Regional Farmers’ Market moves indoors. 

Every Wednesday at the Sandman Centre, vendors will showcase a diverse number of delicious foods and one-of-a-kind products, which are all grown, handmade or baked. 

The winter market kicked off today and is off to a good start.

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Fresh delicious fruits, vegetables, breads, pastries, meat products and prepared meals. These are just some of the items you’ll find at the first ever indoor Farmers Market in Kamloops.

“We found cauliflower, broccoli, arugula in the garden and some people that are growing in greenhouses will still be able to bring things, and it’s some way to eat sustainably so we’re not having to bring so much produce long distances,” says Daniela Basile, Director of Kamloops Regional Farmers’ Market Society.

For the chilly winter months, the Downtown Farmers Market has moved indoors, and the bountiful harvest continues. 26 vendors have signed on to participate, and every Wednesday until December 21st they will set up shop on the concourse at the Sandman Centre. It’s the second extended season for the market, but this one will be a little more toasty. 

“We were outside and one day it was minus 20, we had to keep the vegetables from freezing, so this is amazing, this is great and because it’s a city building, we’re paying a rent but it’s fair, and we’re just happy to be here.”

“I make everything out of my commercial kitchen, I make french macarons, cookies, butter tarts, we do special order cakes, I can do platters, I’ll do wedding buffets even wedding favours, it’s endless,” says Carly Harding, Owner & Pastry Chef of Gold Leaf Pastries

With 30 plus people stopping to taste and purchase some decadent, one-of-a-kind desserts, it’s off to a good start for Gold Leaf Pastries. Chef Carly Harding says the option of a year-round farmers market is one of the only ways she can sustain her local business.

“When you don’t have retail location, this is your exposure, there’s no other way to get it other than doing events and venues like farmer’s markets, big conferences, so it’s really beneficial to small independent business.”

Along with food vendors, every Wednesday from 9:30am to 1pm you’ll find more artisans with quality handmade crafts and jewelry. The hope is the winter farmers market will be just as successful as it is in the summer, and customers will have the opportunity to keep buying local 12 months out of the year.

“If we get a lot of participation and a lot of support from the community then a lot of people are saying yes let’s keep it going until we go outside again,” says Basile.