Coldstream is about to harvest some winter business.
A winter farmer’s market is slated to set up shop at the Coldstream Women’s Institute Hall on Kalamalka Road.
The market would run every Wednesday between 2 and 6 p.m. from October to April.
“There’s a lot of interest and it’s addressing a need that people have,” said Lynn Piva, a Pinantan Lake farmer who is applying for the licence to operate the market with Mimi Lloyd and Anita Fletcher.
Coldstream politicians have bought into the idea as it fits in well with existing OCP policies for the Coldstream town centre. Even though the zoning doesn’t fit, the district is working on issuing a temporary commercial permit for two years for the market, along with waiving application fees for the market.
“Sounds like the best thing I’ve heard in a long time,” said Coun. Bill Firman, after hearing about the market proposal.
The market would include two Christmas craft sales on Nov. 26 and Dec. 10, but for the remainder of the time it would be focused on strictly food.
“We’re looking at various things from cheeses, tea, coffees, fruits, vegetables and preserves,” said Piva, noting local products ranging from baked goods to her own organic beef and greenhouse produce making vegetables available year-round.
“There’s some great artisans in this area and that’s where we would draw from to start with.”
There is already a winter farmers’ market in Vernon, as well as Enderby and Salmon Arm, but Piva insists a winter market in Coldstream won’t clash.
“There’s no confliction because there’s enough business for everyone,” she said, as more and more consumers are seeking out local food.
Organizers also see the location as perfectly suitable.
“The Women’s Institute was actually formed in 1919 as a group for farming women,” said Piva.
“(The market) would invigorate their own institute as well.”
