WHITE ROCK - With the 2014 White Rock Farmers' Market set to kick off this weekend, those looking forward to picking up a bottle of wine with their artisan cheeses could be doing so within a month's time.
According to market manager and city councillor Helen Fathers, that's when she predicts the provincial government will finalize the rules surrounding alcohol sales at farmers' markets in B.C. "We've got everything ready to go and we're just waiting for the government to come out with it," said Fathers. "As soon as we have that, which I think will be by mid-June, we'll see wine, beer and maybe distilleries at the market."
Fathers said she understands the government taking its time to roll out the new initiative.
"The government just wants to make sure the marketplaces aren't flooded with one type of vendor, so I think they'll probably make it a percentage thing where only a certain number can be wine or alcohol vendors," she said.
And just to clarify, Fathers noted that the initiative would simply permit vendors to begin selling bottled alcohol and not allow people to walk around with a beer or wine.
"We've had complaints from people thinking it was going to be open alcohol at the market but that's not the case," she explained. "People might be able to sample the alcohol but you can't walk around with an open drink at the market."
In the meantime, the market will kick off its 2014 season this Sunday (May 25), offering various artisan goods, foods and, of course, fresh produce.
New to this year will be the market's participation in a nutrition program hosted by the B.C. Association of Farmers' Markets that will help lower-income families purchase fresh groceries.
"So we've hooked up with Sources and through them, we'll be giving 40 families and 20 seniors food and nutrition coupons each week," explained Fathers. "So with those they can come to the market and redeem them for fruits and veggies, cheeses and meats."
And just like years past, Fathers said the market is still in the fortunate position where they've had more vendors apply than the market can actually accommodate.
"So we've reached a stage where I could probably run another market somewhere else for those who we simply don't have room for at this market," she said. "So maybe that's something we might talk about in the future, having a pocket market somewhere else."
White Rock Farmers' Market kicks off on Sunday, May 25 at Miramar Plaza at 15154 Russell Ave. The market will run every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Oct. 12.