The West Kootenay EcoSociety will open the Downtown Nelson Local Market on Wednesday, June 15 in the 400 block of Baker St. for its seventh year in a row.
The market will run each Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. through to Sept. 28, offering a mix of local produce, plants, prepared foods, body care, and hand-made arts and crafts. Customers can rest assured that they are supporting the local economy due to the fact that 80 per cent of each vendor’s wares must be grown or made locally to be sold at this market.
EcoSociety markets and events director Jesse Woodward will work with vendors, business owners, and city agencies to ensure the market’s success.
“As I go into my fifth year in this position I am thrilled to see this market is really gaining acceptances and good will from the public and business owners,” he said. “The Downtown Local Market is completely sold out again for vendor spaces this year which is a good sign of the health and vitality of this market. Customers will really appreciate the quality and diversity of the offerings at the market, especially in combination with Baker St.'s amazing retail selection.”
Like last year, the market has many alternating vendor stalls, 14 in total, where two vendors’ share one spot in a one week on/one week off schedule means that the market will be able to offer even more vendor selection and variety.
The market is once again generally organized into product sections that should make it easier for customers to navigate the market and find what they need. Seasonal fruits and vegetables from the region will compliment local eggs and honey.
Crafts will include hand-made hats, pottery and glass work, locally-made clothing and jewellery, and an array of body and home care products. There is, of course, a great selection of ready-to-eat foods to choose from including fresh crepes, soft yogurts, bake goods, tacos, pad thai and much more.
The West Kootenay EcoSociety operates the Downtown Nelson Local Market as a project to promote local food security, relocalization of our economy and to create a meeting place for arts, culture and community networking. The EcoSociety also runs the Saturday Cottonwood Community Market at Cottonwood Falls Park which runs until Oct. 29, and MarketFest, the monthly Friday night street festivals that take place this year on June 24, July 22 and Aug. 26.