If you can find fruit and vegetables fresher than the produce sold weekly at the Ponoka Farmers’ Market, it’s still in the ground.
With more than 50 vendors occupying 65 tables, the market offers a variety of produce.
“Our fruit is fresh every week,” said manager Donna Merrill. “It’s brought in on the weekend and we’re the first market.”
The Ponoka market is held every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the curling rink. Each week there is a draw for a $10 gift certificate.
Growers are counting on a warm spell to fully ripen local fruit and vegetables. “The vegetables have been slow but they’re starting to pick up now,” Merrill said.
And customers know the value of fresh fruit: one vendor had 45 pails of strawberries July 21 and sold out in less than 90 minutes.
Customers from across the region look forward to the Ponoka market, Merrill said. “We’ve got a variety of just about everything.”
The market gives an opportunity to customers to discover new made-in-Alberta products; and the market gives home producers wider exposure for their grown, baked or Albert-made goods.
In addition to produce vendors, the market also has Alberta raised products such as fresh eggs, honey, beef, elf and bison, popcorn and ice cream. Commercial vendors such as Watkins, Avon and the Pampered Chef are also regulars at the market. There is also a variety of craft items and homemade goods.
The market will celebrate its 34th anniversary Aug. 11 with free cake and coffee for all customers.