After a successful but challenging market season, the EFM Society has reached out to the PQB News to thank the community for the wonderful support that we have received this season, particularly from the Parksville Qualicum Beach Foundation.

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Dear Editor,

It has been a challenging season for farmers’ markets, but Errington farmers agree that it has been a season of glorious food nonetheless. The vegetables, cheese, fruit and meats, along with treats of beautiful baking and preserves at the Errington Farmers’ Market have nourished the Errington community and surrounding area since opening day in early May.

As with you and the readers of the PQB News, our farmers’ market society has faced many challenges during the current health pandemic.  While our move from the forest market site to the big field of the Errington Community Park was a significant change for our visitors, we are grateful to have been able to continue uninterrupted operations throughout the season by creating safe and effective new systems for managing public health precautions.

This year, we were gratified to receive generous support from the Parksville Qualicum Foundation in the form of a grant to help us both maintain a safe market environment and supply more fresh local food to people who need it the most.  We thank them sincerely for their help.

Because of the Foundation’s assistance we have been able to increase and broaden our participation in the Nutrition Coupon Program, which provides fresh food vouchers to local pregnant women, mothers with small children, and seniors. Administered by the BC Farmers Market Association and the Province of BC, it is a critical tool for connecting local individuals with fresh and nutrient-dense meal ingredients. These are foundations for good health. The gift that we have received from the PQ Foundation has allowed us to spend thousands more dollars on Nutrition Coupons distributed by outstanding local social organizations including Family Place and the SOS.   As a result, many more seniors and young families received coupons each week to buy their food at the Errington Farmers Market; a win for families, farmers and the health of our local community.

While the Errington Farmers’ Market has now come to a close for the season,  we are pleased to be hosting a special Harvest Market on Saturday, October 3 in the Errington Community Park Field (10am to 1pm).  At the peak of harvest season, this will be a wonderful opportunity to gather fresh ingredients for a special Thanksgiving meal and celebration table.

We have much to celebrate. We look back upon a season that presented us with new and difficult challenges, but that also brought us together as a society and as a community in powerful and lasting ways.  Thank you to our farmers, our vendors, our volunteers, our managers, our visitors and many supporters for a season of growth.

After all, it is not only food that nourishes us…but friendship, cooperation and a commitment to healthy relationships.

Sincerely,

The Errington Farmers’ Market Society