The Cochrane Farmers’ Market wrapped up its outdoor Saturday season with growing crowds, strong support for local vendors and ongoing support for valuable environmental initiatives in the community.
Vendors and volunteers gathered after Saturday’s final market to reflect on a successful year and celebrate the people who make the weekly event possible.
Cochrane Farmers’ Market Val McCracken speaks at the wrap up for the season. Cochrane Now/Noel Edey
Market director Val McCracken said the market’s 28th season — its seventh at Spray Lake Sawmills Centre — brought an increase in shoppers from Cochrane and the surrounding area.
“This year, we’ve really seen an increase in our customer numbers so we’re really seeing the support from not only Cochranites but the area coming here and bringing their baskets and shopping and not just browsing. They are doing their weekly shopping at the Farmers’ Market and that’s really great to see.”
It’s the market’s 28th year, and seventh at the SLS Centre, which is a testament of how the location is a perfect fit. his space is working for us.”
More customers are arriving with baskets and making the market part of their weekly grocery routine, she said.
“They are doing their weekly shopping at the farmers market and that’s really great to see.”
Vendors and volunteers gathered for a group shot on the final day of the market. Cochrane Now/Noel Edey
About 70 vendors participated each week, with more than 140 different vendors attending throughout the summer. Some came regularly, while others appeared monthly or timed their visits to the season.
“We have vendors that come once a month, some only come a couple times over the year,” said McCracken.
Each week it offers a variety of fresh and prepared food and specialized productsThat variety has helped bring customers back.
“I think that’s probably showing with our customers liking what they see and coming back week after week.”
Crowds continue to grow
McCracken said attendance counts topped 3,000 on several Saturdays, with some exceeding 3,500.
Even rainy, cool days drew roughly 1,500 to 1,600 shoppers.
“That’s still higher than what used to be a good day in June a few years ago, right?” she said. “So those numbers have just really been great.”
Those figures are estimates. A volunteer counts visitors near the front of the outdoor market, but other entrances make it impossible to capture everyone.
“We know that if we’re counting this at the front, that there’s probably more than what we’re able to record.”
The season-ending gathering offered a chance to recognize the vendors and volunteers behind that growth.
“We don’t exist without the vendors,” said McCracken. “And so, it’s our opportunity to really thank them for being part of our community and contributing to what we’re doing here.”
Supporting environmental initiatives
The market raises about $50,000 to support initiatives of its sponsoring organization, the Cochrane Environmental Action Committee (CEAC).
After operating expenses are paid, surplus funds go to CEAC to support work including tree planting, scholarships, speaker series, wildlife-human co-existence and the Living Lawns program.
McCracken said Alberta-approved farmers’ markets must be sponsored by a non-profit organization.
“A lot of people don’t realize that as an Alberta-approved farmers market, you have to be sponsored by a not-for-profit organization, and our sponsor is the Cochrane Environmental Action Committee,” said McCracken.
That relationship extends the market’s contribution beyond the weekly shopping experience.
“So all of that we’re able to direct back into the community, which is pretty, pretty darn cool actually.”
A place to shop, connect and learn
Town Coun. Paul Singh, who attended the final market and many others throughout the season, said its value also lies in bringing people together.
While at the market, Singh visited vendors to hear their feedback and received plenty of glowing reviews.
“It shows that people want to support local businesses and to shop local as well, which is fantastic,” said Singh.
Alongside established businesses, the market gives young entrepreneurs a place to showcase their products and connect directly with customers. Non-profit booths offer opportunities to learn about local organizations and their work.
Terrance Haxton, founder of Helping Hands, and volunteer Doug Anderson manned an information both at Saturday’s market. Cochrane Now/Noel Edey
On the last week, Explore Alberta, Helping Hands, Wildlife-Human Co-Existence and Cultivate Cochrane and their Passive Solar Roller.
Singh also thanked the organizers and business owners for their contribution to the community.
“Things like this bring people together,” he said.
Coun. Paul Singh gives thanks to the vendors and volunteers for their contribution to our community. Cochrane Now/Noel Edey
Town representatives used a booth in July and August to hear from residents, including newcomers, about what they appreciate about Cochrane and where improvements could be made.
“We’ve got a great response,” said Singh, describing conversations that included asking residents, “What do you love about Cochrane?”
For him, the market serves as a community hub where a shopping trip can become a conversation about life in town.
“Talk, interact, shop local, support local and also learn about the great things happening in town,” said Singh.
What’s next?
While the outdoor market season has ended, work is already underway for the next event.
The Cochrane Christmas Farmers’ Market runs Dec. 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day inside SLS Centre. It has proven to be a popular destination and, like the outdoor market, continues to grow each year.
