The Rimbey Market at the Park begins their season June 6 after going through a month of regulations changes due to COVID-19.
“Since we are an approved farmers’ market, everything has to go through Alberta Agriculture, through Alberta Health Services and through our insurance company,” Gayle Rondeel, market manager, said. “We received permission to extend our hours so people had more time to shop and social distance.”
“Our market this year will go from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays.”
Despite the name, the market this year will be at the Rimbey Ridge Hotel. Rondeel says over 50 vendors applied to be part of the market this year, with space only allowing for up to 40.
We have had so many more vendors apply for the market — way more than we normally would have and we have a limited amount of space.
“The Farmers’ Market has certain rules they have to follow. There is not a limit on the amount of people in the market, but social distancing is a must. What we have been told by AHS is to keep track of how busy the market is looking and make sure everyone is social distancing,” she said.
Rondeel said she believes farmers’ markets are very important to local economy, with more than 75 per cent of dollars going directly back into the local economy.
“Most vendors are local and they spend their money locally,” she said.
Rimbey’s Market market is also a provincially recognized market.
“The Rimbey Market has won a few awards and the UofA even named us one of the model markets to follow,” she said. “We have worked hard over the years to build the market from having seven vendors so having over 50 this year interested. Unfortunately we couldn’t have them all, but right now we are starting with 35 to 40.”
She added, “The Rimbey Market has great shopping and a good selection of vegetables, fruits, baking and crafters.”
todd.vaughan@lacombeexpress.com
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