Goldstream market thrives as Colwood market folds its tent

Kelly ParkinB次元官网网址檚 eyes light up as she talks about watching people who are hungry at the market

B次元官网网址淧eople are starving for fresh food,B次元官网网址� she says smiling.

Parkin, the market manager of the Goldstream Station Market, is getting ready to launch the marketB次元官网网址檚 third season at Bryn Maur Road in Langford, starting May 28.

The market is proving to be a popular venue. Last year farmers sold out in minutes on the first day of the selling season.

B次元官网网址淚t was like a locust herd,B次元官网网址� Parkin joked.

B次元官网网址淧eople want to eat local. When people choose to eat local, they need to give the farmers some time to catch up. Farmers only harvest what they are going to sell.B次元官网网址�

Each year the Langford market attracts more farmers and vendors. The market is open to vendors from anywhere south of Nanaimo, but priority is given to Capital Region farmers, bakers, preservers and artisans

B次元官网网址淪o many vendors keep applying to get in. Word is spreading,B次元官网网址� Parkin said. B次元官网网址淲e can push hard at 48 vendors.B次元官网网址�

If there is one thing people should know about this market itB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渃ome early,B次元官网网址� Parkin advises.

By the time the market is wrapping up each Saturday afternoon, shoppers are often upset when faced with sold out stalls.

B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 have a big back room to restock shelves like a grocery store,B次元官网网址� Parkin says. B次元官网网址淲hatB次元官网网址檚 for sale has come out of the ground the night before or the morning of the market. There are going to be times when you get some dirt on (produce), but thatB次元官网网址檚 dirt it grew in.B次元官网网址�

An advantage to shopping at the Goldstream Station Market, is everything is fresh, Parkin emphasizes.

B次元官网网址淲hen you can shake the hand of the farmer who grew your food, you know itB次元官网网址檚 fresh.

B次元官网网址淪hopping here reduces green house gasses. ItB次元官网网址檚 the right thing to do.B次元官网网址�

While the Goldstream Station Market is booming, the Colwood FarmersB次元官网网址� Market called it quits after last season.

The market was held at West Shore Parks and Recreation for the past three years. Each year it was held in a different area around the parking lot.

B次元官网网址淚t was a beautiful site, but on the wrong side of the highway,B次元官网网址� said Parkin, who also managed the Colwood market.  The market was held in the evenings during the week, when traffic returning to the West Shore didntB次元官网网址� stop to shop.

Another challenge the market faced was the construction on Island Highway. People bypassed the roadwork on the Trans-Canada and were not in the area of the market.

Parkin will be discussing the option of another evening market with vendors, but is unsure if that will solidify and where it would be held.

The Goldstream Station Market spent its first two seasons as the Luxton Station Market at the Luxton fair grounds, but didnB次元官网网址檛 flourish due to a lack of vendors.

The Goldstream Station Market is at Bryn Maur Road in Langford from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. See www.goldstreamstationmarket.ca.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com