LAC LA BICHE - "If it was raining — it was Friday."
That's how Lac La Biche Farmers' Market organizer Bev Tkachuk described last year's weekly showcase and sale of home-grown products. It also describes the first few openings this year after a COVID-related late start to the season.
"It is what it is," Tkachuk told the POST last week after hosting the second Friday afternoon market since the COVID-19 pandemic protocols had deemed the events as an essential service. It was also the second market with less than ideal weather conditions, carrying over from a dreary 2019 season. "But at least it is happening."
With chilly temperatures and some rain in their first openings this year, Tkachuk joked that even without Alberta Health recommendations for facemasks, people were bundled up for the first sales in the outdoor pavilion at the Lac Lac La Biche Agricultural Grounds. The COVID concerns and the weather have affected attendance at the popular weekly sale — for customers and vendors.
"We can only have half of the tables operating because of the space," said Tkachuk, explaining that she has a five-page COVID plan that has been approved by the Alberta Farmers' Markets Association, Alberta Health, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry and the Lac La Biche Agricultural Society.
"It's been a bit of work to make sure everything is as it should be," she said, listing a number of changes to the market's operations so far this year, including mandated hand sanitizer at each booth, reduced booth numbers to increase the width of aisles, partitions between vendors, the absence of a concession and children's events, the voluntary use of facemasks and having just one member per household attend the event. Other changes restrict touching of produce along with the removal of the pre-opening preview.
Tkachuk admits that it's a lot to ask of people — but considering the alternative of a total closure, she is happy to be open.
"We are making the best of what we have to work with," she said, adding that for the time being, only food items are being sold at the markets. Crafts may be added again later, but for now, she says, since food items are considered essential, the available kiosks are selling food items.
Health and safety is paramount
The Lac La Biche Farmers' Market runs from 3 pm to 5:30 p.m every Friday. As the pandemic protocols adapt as the weeks go by, Tkachuk says so does the market. While she hopes to see some easing of restrictions to bring in more customers and more vendors, as someone with an auto-immune condition herself, she knows the importance of proper safety measures.
"For anyone concerned about health measures, well, from the beginning we have been watching Alberta Health and following their lead," she said, explaining that volunteers at the market do enforce the social distancing and health protocols.
"It's in everyone's best interests to follow the rules, be safe, and enjoy the region's products," she said. "Now if it would just stop raining."
