The city's row to hoe
By Kyra Hoggan
Talk about politicians “farming out” work – the city of Castlegar is doing just that, but in a positive way. City council, at its regular meeting Monday night, voted unanimously to lend the local farmer’s market some assistance – $2,000, to be specific, to help the Castlegar & District Heritage Society keep the venue afloat for its fourth consecutive summer. The market, previously held in the parking lot of the United Church on Columbia Avenue across from Safeway, will also be enjoying a new locale in the downtown core, just outside the Heritage Museum. Councillor Deb McIntosh, who recused herself from the vote as she also manages the Heritage Society, said city support was crucial in ensuring the market happened this year. “We felt it was important that we not lose this for a year – the previous operators couldn’t do ti anymore, and we felt that if we couldn’t pick it up, then it would be lost forever – too hard to resurrect again,” she said. “There was a plea for help, so the Heritage Society stepped in.” “It provides those growing produce and creating crafts, etc, have a venue to sell them,” she said. “It’s about increasing community capacity – for the vendors and the buys alike. We’ve learned how important it is to source locally as much as you can, and this fits neatly with the city’s focus on environmental stewardship. ”I love that it makes everyone aware of what we have in our own backyard.” The farmer’s market will begin Saturday, July 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will run every Saturday until autumn. For more information, call McIntosh at the museum at 250-365-6440.
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