The people of Athabasca will soon have another venue at which to purchase locally produced food and goods, with a new community market set to start at the end of November.
The initiative is the first for the newly established North Country Community Council (N3C) a five-strong group headed up by president Christine Coswell.
She explained that the group already has some vendors ready for the first day of the market at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex foyer on Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The market will run at the same hours on Dec. 10, Jan. 14 and Jan. 28.
The market will feature a majority of goods made in Alberta, to ensure it follows guidelines set out by the Alberta Farmers’ Market Association. To become an “Alberta Approved Market,” a facility must offer at least 80 per cent locally made goods.
Those local “butchers, bakers and candlestick makers” will be complimented by home-based businesses selling non-local goods, she explained.
She said that even though the council is in its infancy and have yet to produce a mission statement, the market is a priority that will help them build upon further initiatives.
“The council was developed to bring back a market with a new fresh face to Athabasca,” she said, adding that they have established a bank account after receiving their first donation.
She acknowledged that winter is typically the slow season for local markets across the country.
“We want to make our presence known early, we know it’s slow,” she said. “We want the community to know that we’re here to stay.”
She added that even though the market already has some vendors on board, including a small-scale Waskatenau-based meat producer, a local honey farmer and a baker, the council is entertaining all calls from potential sellers looking to set up shop.
The market’s emphasis on local goods will give the council a starting place for its broader purpose of promoting sustainability and supporting the community, she explained.
Even with only a few meetings under their belt, the ideas have been flowing, she said.
Although not set in stone, she hopes to focus future efforts on educating youth at local schools, touching on both the health and community impacts of buying from people in the area.
“It’s about getting them involved in knowing the importance of sustainable living and taking care of neighbours,” she said, offering up potential ideas of school-tended community gardens or a local lunch truck. “Whatever food they’re ingesting, we’d like to become part of that.”
Eventually, she added, the council would like to expand its efforts outside of the county.
For now though, the council will focus its efforts on the market and establishing its mandate, she said.
Anyone looking to get involved with the council or in becoming a market vendor can contact Croswell at 780-690-2028 or Yvonne McDermid at 780-675-4398. North County Community Council also has a Facebook page for updates on the market and their other initiatives.
