Forks launches outdoor farmers market this weekend

Winnipeg's historic site where the Red and Assiniboine meet will host its first farmers market Sunday, May 18.

Twenty-eight vendors, from Anandha, which specializesin products made from beets, like beet ketchup and bread,
to Zoda Family Farm, offering vegetables, wild berriesand preserves, are participating.

The marketwill run every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. until October, except for Sept. 21.

The theme is make it, bake it, grow it.

For the first time, weve sourced and will be welcoming over two dozen local farmers, brewers, artisans and bakers in one big parking lot in front of The Forks Market, said Paul Jordan, Forks Chief Operating Officer.

We are looking forward to showcasing the great diversity that Manitoba has to offer and have put a strong emphasis on fresh, locally produced food, he said. We have everything from a local craft brewery, barbecue, potatoes and wild berries to organic products and all natural meats.

The farmers market will take place in the Plaza parking lot, rain or shine.

If this is successful we would happily add the rest of the parking lot, which is what it was intended to be when we opened 25 years ago. We could go up to as many as 50 vendors, said Jordan. But for this year we want to start small and get it right.

The Forks said there is free parking and no admission.