Don鈥檛 you hate it when the goodies brought home from Saturday鈥檚 are gone too quickly?

(I鈥檓 looking at you, strawberries!)

Or when you, the most committed of market visitors, must miss the weekend鈥檚 go-to local shopping experience?

Now you needn鈥檛 wait an entire week to get your taste of fresh, local fruits, vegetables and other delicious, locally created foods!

This marks the 23rd year of a mid-week farmers鈥� market, though it will look a little different from last year鈥檚 Downtown Courtenay Summer Street Markets, where the farmers鈥� market joined with Comox Valley Arts and the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association to bring food vendors and artists together in a one-stop local shopping experience.

When the market opens for the season this week in downtown Courtenay, necessary limitations due to COVID-19 mean that kind of event-driven offering isn鈥檛 possible this year, says Twila Skinner, General Manager, Comox Valley Farmers鈥� Market Association. However, there are still plans to support the local arts community, including online offerings 鈥� watch for more news on that in coming days!

Following the lead of the Saturday market, which moved outside to the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds in April, the Wednesday market will create more space between vendors and shoppers to allow for more physical distancing.

鈥淲e鈥檙e an open-air market, not an event, and with market organizers and vendors all taking appropriate steps, this is a safe and enjoyable way to do your shopping 鈥� and support the local growers and producers we鈥檙e so fortunate to have here in the Valley,鈥� Skinner says.

For now, visit the market on England Avenue, between Fourth and Sixth streets, each Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m.

Back for the fifth year, the Sunday market in Cumberland opens this coming Sunday with yet another way to support local.

Held in the Village Square from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the market is smaller than the others, but with some unique vendors from the neighbourhood you won鈥檛 see elsewhere, Skinner notes. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had a really good response,鈥� she says.

More now available 鈥� in person and online!

Along with the additional markets, and more products available as the season progresses, more vendors are also now welcomed as government restrictions ease. Concession providers and some non-food producers such as soap makers and flower growers are now welcome alongside the free-run eggs, farm-fresh fruits and veggies, home-baked breads, sauces, spices and prepared foods.

And while it鈥檚 easy to tackle the bulk of your grocery shopping at your local farmers鈥� market, those who prefer to shop from home can also take advantage of the brand new , featuring 30 vendors and more than 600 items!

See you at the market!

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