It’s been another good season for the Cochrane Farmer’s Market, which wrapped up for the season Sept. 26.
With an increase in part-time vendors and the addition of free yoga, manager Valerie McCracken said the only thing unwanted this year was the rain.
“We definitely had our share of rainy days, which is unusual for us. It’s always frustrating when the rain comes on Friday and we end up having to move out.”
Rainy days aside, the market saw the number of part-time vendors grow to about 70, up from 50 from last season.
“They just add that sense of ‘I wonder who’s going to be there this week,’” she said.
Many vendors had seen the economic downturn’s impact having a greater effect at other markets, but Cochrane’s remained strong, McCracken said.
“Our Cochrane market is so fortunate to have such supportive customers. The Cochrane market was one of the ones that seemed to be insulated from the big change in spending.
“Farmer’s markets are great incubators. They’re pretty affordable; you don’t need a store front and you get your products out there and get customer feedback and really see what’s going to be successful or not.”
The free yoga class, Mat2Market, was also a big hit, McCracken related. The class was hosted by the Green Lotus Yoga and offered market goers of all experience levels a gentle flow session during the mornings.
Next in store for the Cochrane Farmer’s Market is its annual Christmas market happening Dec. 12.
Although a few vendors will be selling commercial franchise products, McCracken said they’ll continue to keep that to a minimum in keeping with the market’s ideals of locally made or grown products.
She said the beauty of the Dec. 12 market is you can knock everything off your Holiday shopping list, and get some memorable items courtesy of the Cochrane area’s more unique producers.
“Being a farmer’s market, you can get the turkey, the wine, the baking and do all your Christmas shopping. That’s the benefit being an Albertan farmer’s market. We can have Fallen Timber Meadery; we can have Spirit Hills Winery. We can offer those things that other markets can’t.”
McCracken said just selecting the vendor is its own special treat.
“For me, it’s like Christmas selecting the vendors, because we have a lot of talented people in the region that are vying for those spots.”
And in the face of economic uncertainty, McCracken is glad that Cochrane remains a strong base of support for the vendors.
“Considering what’s going on with the economy, we’re just so thankful for having great customers here for the Cochrane market.”
To keep up-to-date on the Cochrane Farmer’s Market, visit their Facebook page under the same name.
