View from behind the balloons

After another week of Calgary coldness the weather finally cooperated to give us a warm day to kick off the market! Thanks to our wonderful vendors who attended yesterday – many of the produce vendors sold out, which is always great for them.  Many many people came out to see the new market and to enjoy the cool tunes of the Steve Pineo Trio and the Sunnyside Garage Band, and of course, the bouncy castle and balloons were a great hit with the under 14 crowd.

While I spent most of my time barraged by a steady stream of children waiting patiently for balloons, I did have time to come up for air every once in a while and chat a bit with people.  I had one customer come to me and ask “why isn’t there more veggies and fruit?”, and I had answered, “well, veggies are just starting to come up now, and the fruit will be coming a bit later.”  I realized as I talked to her about something which I thought was quite obvious, but what many people must not realize immediately, is that because our market is very much oriented towards supporting local farmers (Alberta first, then BC, with a preference for organics), several of our vendors who have signed on are still waiting for their product to come out of the ground! I suppose anyone frequenting other “farmers” markets around here might have expected an abundance of lush fruits and veggies, but alas (or hurray, depending on your perspective), it is Alberta, and it is tender greens season!

Strange as it may sound, we have actually turned down some produce vendors because they do not fit our new criteria. I have to say that I have personally learned quite a bit about the food I buy through volunteering for this market.  Some vendors who I previously thought sold “good, clean, fair” produce, I learned actually spray their crops and use pesticides, chemical growth enhancers, etc.

So, while I eagerly await our delectable strawberries (AB) and organic cherries (BC) patiently, I will go make myself a delightful dandelion salad Next week we also hope to bring in ready to eat food vendors.  If you know of anyone who makes delicious meals, send them our way. Talk to your favourite food vendors around town and tell them you want to see them at Hillhurst Sunnyside!

Enjoy some more pics of opening day here.