Farmers' Market a staple to Alberta's communities
TIM KALINOWSKI
While global trade currents deeply impact most of Canadian agriculture, there is one type of market which has remained virtually unchanged since the dawn of humankind.
Local farmers markets were the first means of food exchange between human communities and between neighbours; and many in Alberta agriculture today continue to heavily
rely on them to reach nearby customers.
Conny Kappler is executive
director of the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association, an organization
which represents hundreds of market sellers province-wide. She herself farms near Rolling Hills, and is a regular seller at the Medicine Hat Farmers Market and
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at the Little Market on the Prairie in her hometown.
Kappler grows strawberries, potatoes, field cucumbers, kale, garlic and other products, which she picks straight off her farm.
Kappler says farmers markets are crucial to many smaller scale farm operations throughout southern Alberta, and often serve as a compliment to more industrial forms of agriculture.
“We represent the interests of farm direct marketers and growers,” explains Kappler. “Our mission is to bring farm fresh, healthy food and experiences to Alberta communities.”
Kappler’s family also runs a more conventional cow/calf operation, but she admits her heart is in the farmers market.
“You have to love what you are doing because it is a lot of hard work,” confirms Kappler. “If you don’t love what you are
doing, you are probably not going to do well at a farmers market... I like interacting with customers.
“When you are in this organization,” continues Kappler, “you have to like people. There’s nothing more rewarding than selling a butternut squash to a lady who says ‘My baby just loves butternut squash.’ You get that gooey, mushy feeling inside.”
Providing produce for the farmers market is not without its own unique challenges, however.
“It’s labour intensive,” admits Kappler. “And many just don’t have time to do it. That’s an issue too; finding labour to pick all that... There is a lot involved with washing and cleaning and packaging, and we’re on a smaller scale so you are never getting the best deals on packaging.”
There’s also no guarantee you will make a sale on the day you come.
41240273/3/28/2017
41241105•03/28/17
517 3rd Street SE, Med. Hat, AB T1A 0H2
MIYWASIN FRIENDSHIP CENTRE
Ph. 403-526-0756 • Fx. 403-504-4064
For more information visit our website:
http://www.miywasin.ab.ca
41241801/03/28/2017
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