Changes Coming to Castlegar Farmers Market
By Contributor
The Castlegar and District Heritage Society is in the process of revitalizing and renewing the Castlegar Farmers market for the 2026 season. The Society is looking into some big changes this year.
In-coming Heritage Society Board Member, Erica Naso, says, “We will be joining the BC Farmers’ Market Association which is a huge step in the right direction to support a local food system, so this means we will participate in the coupon program that many are you are familiar with.”
The Coupon Program, sponsored by the BC FMA and subsidized in the Columbia Basin by the Columbia Basin Trust, requires that farmers’ markets partner with another community organization, such as a food bank, to disperse coupons that individuals and families who are low or no income, can use to buy healthy food from local growers at a farmers’ market. Castlegar & District Heritage Society is working with the Castlegar Food Bank President, Val Field, to make this happen here locally.
Naso explains, “We want our market to be gearing towards supporting local agriculture more than anything. This means that the market will be shifting to more than 50 per cent food market which means we need the local food community to join and attend our market.”
The Heritage Society will also be looking at changing the dates of the markets season to start in May rather than starting in April as in past years, which is more in line with the local growing season.
In addition to vendors, the Society will be offering education and workshops with space provided for relevant events. Naso adds, “We will be planning a few night markets in summer months with live music and fun activities for everyone.”
The market organizers will also focus on advertising and promoting the market. Heritage Society ED, Maggie Shirley states, “The market has always been a place for people to gather. We would love to see even more folks coming to support local growers, farmers and artists and to enjoy visiting with each other.”
BC Farmers’ Market Association has strict rules about who can participate in a farmers’ market but the local market organizers recognize that people who resell items need to make a living, too. Naso says,” We are coming up with solutions to create an alternative market to run alongside the farmers market.” Naso encourages everyone – farmers, growers, makers, resellers and flea marketers – to apply to participate in the market.
“We are working on vendor applications and policies as we speak. We are also open to people wanting to join and help, volunteer and help us brainstorm to make a successful market”, says Naso.
The Heritage Society is excited to share these big changes coming to Castlegar this year. If you are interested in being a vendor or participating in some way, please contact the organizers at castlegarfarmersmarket@gmail.com.
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