Another slice of normal life will return to West Vancouver this Sunday when the Ambleside Farmers Market opens for the season.
Starting this weekend, the market will take place every Sunday in the Ambleside parking lot, albeit with several new restrictions and changes to the format to address concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Farmers markets, like grocery stores, are considered an essential service under British Columbia's current state of emergency.
“The Ambleside Farmers Market has been an important part of our community for many years,” said Mayor Mary-Ann Booth in a release. “It has brought vibrancy to Ambleside while supporting local farmers. In these uncertain times, it is even more important to support our local food supply chains.”
The Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market already re-booted earlier this month following a COVID-related hiatus, and several farmers markets in Vancouver are also opening up this weekend.
“I know that many in our community are looking forward to the market re-opening in West Vancouver, so I’m very grateful that the industry has been able to put measures in place to protect both vendors and customers,” said Booth.
The market will follow the BC Centre for Disease Control’s new guidelines to address safety and food delivery in the time of COVID-19. These include:
- Reducing the number of vendors to ensure physical distancing
- Increasing signage and temporary fencing to observe COVID-19 safety guidelines
- Providing enhanced hygiene for customers and vendors
- Allowing a limited number of customers in the market area at any one time
- No food tasting or entertainment
The Ambleside Farmers Market will run every Sunday until Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot at Ambleside Park.
