The Crossfield Farmers Market (CFM) is putting the focus on food this February.
The market is introducing February Food Fest on Feb. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The inaugural event will be held at the Crossfield and District Community Centre at 900 Mountain Avenue.
“The event itself is doing well and there’s a lot of interest from vendors,” said CFM manager Cheryl Shea. “What we’re doing is food and food-related [products]. Even if they sell mills, coffee grinders or something like that, they can be part of this market. We do have some textiles, but they’re also food-relatable.”
She said the motivation for the event came from two regular CFM vendors who asked her if she’d be interested in arranging a February market. Considering the lack of events at this time of year, market-wise, Shea said she was eager to pursue the idea.
“February is a quiet month for events and because we’re a farmers market, we’re considered an essential service, so we’re OK to go ahead as long as the Town of Crossfield facility will open for us,” she said.
“This year, we didn’t host our winter markets throughout the winter season because the space we normally use is being used by the food bank, which is critically important.”
This will mark CFM’s first event since its Christmas market was held Nov. 7, 2020.
In order to comply with public health restrictions, Shea said the February Food Fest will be limited to approximately 60 vendors, in order to distance each table by at least six feet.
In addition, attendance will be capped at 15 per cent of the venue’s fire code capacity and shoppers will be required to make their way through the community centre in a counter-clockwise direction.
“People may have to wait outside in order to get in, but if it’s anything like at Christmas, we have directional flow and it flows pretty easily,” Shea said. “They’ll come in one door, make their way through the market and then exit the other door.”
While most of the vendors will be CFM regulars from around the region, Shea said the event will see some newcomers, as well.
“It’s always exciting to have new vendors,” she said, adding CFM is an "Alberta-approved" farmers market, meaning at least 80 per cent of vendors come from the province.
After the February Food Fest is wrapped up, Shea said it will already be time to start preparing for CFM’s annual spring market in May, which will be followed by the regular farmers market season kicking off in June.
If the February Food Fest is a hit, Shea said CFM will consider turning it into an annual occurrence.
“Hopefully, it’s a successful event and we can continue on with it,” she said.
Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
