On June 8, Somba KSA国际影视传媒檈 Park will be filled with Yellowknifers shopping for produce, meals, crafts and other fare for the first farmers market of the season.

Like last year, public health measures of social distancing, sanitizing and SA国际影视传媒渟hop donSA国际影视传媒檛 stopSA国际影视传媒� procedures will continue to be in place. Vendors will be spaced along the path and a limited number of shoppers are allowed within market grounds at a time. No more than 150 people can be at the site.

Nia Reid, Yellowknife Farmers Market manager, said that although SA国际影视传媒渨e technically canSA国际影视传媒檛 stop and gather, itSA国际影视传媒檚 still a chance to be close.SA国际影视传媒�

The market is a way for residents to join their community and come together over food.

SA国际影视传媒淓specially in Yellowknife, community is a really big thing here,SA国际影视传媒� Reid said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 kind of amazing when you come from somewhere else.SA国际影视传媒�

Though they werenSA国际影视传媒檛 able to have performers at the amphitheatre last year, artists will again be playing music for weekly market-goers.

The market, occurring every Tuesday from June to September, will provide residents with a chance to support familiar vendors such as Bush Order Provisions, Le Refuge Farms and Perched Pottery, as well as new businesses such as food truck Aurora Grill. More than 30 vendors will rotate from week to week.

Beyond providing a venue for Yellowknifers to gather at a distance, Reid said SA国际影视传媒渋tSA国际影视传媒檚 huge to have that grower, maker to consumer relationship.SA国际影视传媒�

Promoting food security in the North has been a part of the marketSA国际影视传媒檚 mandate from the get-go, and the pandemic has further demonstrated the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 susceptibility to food insecurity, Reid said.

SA国际影视传媒淭he market also helps people in their food growing journey,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚t offers that place to set up and trial your business.SA国际影视传媒�

The harvestersSA国际影视传媒� table, returning after last yearSA国际影视传媒檚 hiatus, is one example of an opportunity for new growers to sell their yield.

The table allows hobby growers to bring in excess produce to sell alongside others doing the same. While the market keeps a portion of the proceeds to fund its operations SA国际影视传媒� 25 per cent from the harvestersSA国际影视传媒� table, for example SA国际影视传媒� Reid said the majority goes back to the growers.

As organizers are in the final stages of market preparation, Reid emphasized that while Yellowknifers are more familiar with reminders of COVID safety measures, the pandemic is still ongoing.

She reminds residents to not touch products they donSA国际影视传媒檛 plan on buying, to maintain proper social distancing when possible and that they again will be unable to bring their own containers to the market SA国际影视传媒� though vendors are encouraged to use disposable packaging for food.

She encourages shoppers to check the marketSA国际影视传媒檚 social media channels for updates and invites Yellowknifers to come support vendors and shop the fruits of their labours.