Farmers’ markets across Alberta were mostly back to “business as usual” — albeit with smaller crowds — after last year’s COVID restrictions were lifted this summer.
“For Irvings Farm Fresh, 2021 felt more like business as usual,” said Nicola Irving, owner of Irvings Farm Fresh near Round Hill.
“In 2020, we had seen reductions in sales by up to 30 per cent on pre-COVID revenues. In 2021, we still experienced reduced revenues, but it was definitely better than 2020.”
Through the early part of the pandemic, farmers’ markets were allowed to continue to operate as an essential service, with the exception of vendors who provided crafted products. And despite the restrictions, Albertans stepped up in a big way to show their support to local producers.
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“When COVID hit and we were starting to see some challenges in our supply chain, people really wanted to support local,” said Eileen Kotowich, farmers’ market specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.
“We had a lot of folks saying that they had the best year they’ve had in a long time because the people who came really wanted to shop and support the small businesses.”
But that support waned somewhat this summer when restrictions were lifted entirely.
“What I’ve heard from vendors and market managers this year was that crowds were down,” Kotowich said. “I think that had to do with the fact that restrictions were really lifted come summertime and people were out doing different things this summer that they weren’t able to do last year.”
Even so, this year’s season seems to have been easier on both vendors and their customers.
“This year has definitely been better than 2020,” said Irving, who operates booths in eight farmers’ markets across central Alberta.
“For most of the summer, whilst restrictions were relaxed, it was easier to operate markets, as there was less required in terms of restricting numbers of people, managing flow, and requiring people to follow rules around masking and sanitizing.”
There was also a return of product sampling, which many vendors rely on for sales, as well as live entertainment. The markets themselves were also bigger, as craft and other ‘non-essential’ vendors were allowed to participate fully this year.
“Since about 50 per cent of vendors at farmers’ markets are non-essential, this definitely made a huge difference,” said Irving, adding that crafters and artisans have been hit hardest by the pandemic.
“Many businesses closed or found a way to shift to online sales, as they literally lost their market with face-to-face customers.”
But at the same time, these markets have also seen new vendors who looked at the pandemic as an opportunity to try out a new business idea.
“I’ve seen a lot of brand new vendors who were impacted either because of COVID shutting businesses down or because of the slowdown in the oilpatch,” said Kotowich.
“There are some really great new products and some excited, passionate people, and the support these folks are getting from customers is very positive. These vendors are excited to be out there and doing something different.”
Kotowich has also seen a continuing interest in new markets forming across Alberta, with 11 new markets approved for 2021.
“It’s unbelievable. I truly didn’t expect to see the number of new markets forming that we have in the last couple of years,” she said.
“Sales may be down this year, but there’s still that demand for it and that desire to get out and buy those local products. It’s a really positive trend.”
Irving hopes to see that trend continue.
“Farmers’ markets are supporting thousands of small businesses, many of which don’t have any other way to sell their products,” said Irving, who is also president of the board of the Alberta Farmers’ Market Association.
“We are grateful that markets have been recognized as a vital part of many communities, and an integral part of the local food system.”
Kotowich agrees.
“Without these markets going, a lot of these folks wouldn’t be around. It’s really important to continue to support them.”
