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Times-Chronicle Staff

Osoyoos residents can shop local and get outdoors this weekend with the return of the Osoyoos Market on Main kicking off the season Saturday.

The first market of the season officially gets underway June 13, and every Saturday following that until Sept. 15. The market is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Market on Main board has been working with the BC Association of Farmers Markets (BCAFM) and the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure the health and safety of its patrons, vendors, staff, and volunteers, including:

  • A more spacious market area layout
  • An updated “What’s For Sale Today” sign outside of the market area
  • Designated entry and exit points, with a sanitation station at each
  • Single-person service space, with hoops indicating waiting areas for shoppers
  • Arrows indicating the flow of traffic, towards the exit
  • A capacity limit within the market, controlled by the on-site market manager.

“Times have been tough for everyone lately, but if there’s one positive takeaway, it’s the renewed focus on family and community,” the Osoyoos Market on Main board stated in a press release Tuesday. “The best thing you can do for the local economy is to shop local, and what better place to do it than the South Okanagan? Our region boasts some of the best fruit and vegetables in the country, not to mention local dairies from the coast to the Kootenays, eggs from local farmsteads, organic grains used in artisan baking, and an abundance of craft beer, wine and spirits purveyors.
The Osoyoos Market on Main is your one-stop shop for supporting local, and it takes place weekly, right here in Osoyoos.”

This year’s market boasts a wide variety, with everything from a seasonal rotation of fruit (including apricots, cherries, and berries) and veggies, starter seedlings, artisan bread, pastries, eggs, coffee, wine, spirits, beer, jams and preserves and more.

Though the focus of this year’s market is predominantly essential food providers, the BC Health Authority have given permission to the BCAFM and it’s member markets to welcome artisan crafters back once again.

Artisan vendors include jewellers, potters, furniture makers, soap makers and makers of natural beauty products. Though the market area will be more spacious, it will continue to offer a wide variety of local, artisan products.

Similar to the current grocery store etiquette, the Market on Main board is asking shoppers to keep their groups small, and their trips focused on shopping, not stopping.

Aside from registered service animals, dogs will not be allowed inside the market grounds this year, as “no one can resist stopping and petting a pup, despite their best efforts,” the board stated. “Pet parents are encouraged to leave their dogs at home, or to tie their leash to one of the railings in front of Town Hall for a short time while they visit the market.”

“The Osoyoos Market on Main looks forward to welcoming everyone back for another great season. Our weekly market is the perfect opportunity to shop local, supporting your neighbours, friends and entrepreneurs as they grow, bake, and create everything you need!”