British Columbians, hungry for farm fresh produce, can celebrate their local farmer at the second annual BC Farmers Appreciation Week (FAW) at the Hedley Farmers Market, Sunday July 31 from 9 a.m. – 1p.m., located in Heritage Park, Daly Avenue, Hedley, B.C. Several other farmers’ markets in B.C will be hosting events as well.
“We hope to make this an annual celebration of farmers, their hard work and to thank them publicly for the fresh, healthy food they provide,” said Mary Forstbauer President of the BCAFM. B.C. has the most diverse agricultural industry within Canada.
“This is a call to action to British Columbians ” says, Elizabeth Quinn, Manager of the BCAFM “We’re asking people to come out to their local farmers’ market, enjoy the festivities and the fresh B.C. grown and prepared foods and to thank B.C. farmers for bringing us healthy, quality, fresh food. ”
In B.C., farmers make up only 1.6 per cent of our population, yet this small percentage produces an estimated 48 per cent of all foods consumed in B.C. “Whether or not we are aware of it, British Columbians depend on B.C. farmers and B.C. farmland” says Elizabeth Quinn.
Farmer Appreciation Week runs July 31 to August 6 and will be celebrated at select farmers’ markets across B.C. To find a farmers’ market near you, visit www.bcfarmersmarket.org.
The BC Association of Farmers’ Markets is a not-for-profit association, representing 93 farmers markets including 1000 farmers. The Association is committed to developing and strengthening the capacity of B.C. farmers markets in communities throughout B.C. One key priority is to encourage the public to choose healthy B.C. grown agricultural products to maintain our secure food system, reduce the carbon footprint and ensure that we can keep B.C. food on B.C. plates for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.
Visit http://www.bcfarmersmarket.org/ind/faw.htm for more information about FAW and farming in B.C.
Contributed by Vickie Hanson, Hedley Farmers Market