Lac La Biche Farmer's Market celebrated Local Food Week last Friday.
In addition to their usual weekly market at the Lakeland Agricom, Friday's Farmers' Market was made special with some special guests, some unique offerings, a produce contest, and lots of free food to go around. For the second year in a row, a free food offering was the highlight of the Local Food Week event.
Tyler Yackimec with local Sand Springs Ranch was on the grill while Mayor Omer Moghrabi and MLA Laila Goodridge were busy making and serving burgers
The special guests at the market were Lac La Biche County Mayor Omer Moghrabi and Lac La Biche-Fort McMurray MLA Laila Goodridge. The two dignitaries were busy serving free burgers, and locally-grown corn, coleslaw and some ice cream to a longqueue of locals.
Other than the free food, Friday's market had a variety of offerings and some free giveaways including a free raffle draw as well. Lac La Biche Farmer's Market Manager Bev Tkachuk was pleased with this year's turnout. During the event, she took some time to explain the day and thank the people who came out.
"This is only the second year that this is taking place. Last year, we didn't really do much, so this year, we offered up a free barbecue for 400 people. We have a veggie contest up front for the oddest and largest (vegetable). We have 'Girlz with Guitars' on stage. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our petting zoo today (because of the weather). So, yeah, it's all about celebrating local food," she said.
Tkachuk also thanked the mayor and the MLA for volunteering to make hundreds of burgers for locals who stopped by at the market. The politicians made their volunteer time a family affair, as well.
"We have Laila Goodridge and her fiancé, and also our Mayor Mr. Omer Moghrabi and his wife Bev Moghrabi are here. They are giving us a hand, serving up burgers and corn... This is our first time doing this," Tkachuk said.
Despite the wind and rain on Friday, locals filled the Agricom market area. Happy and surprised with the turnout, Tkachuk took the opportunity to thank everyone who joined.
"We have a fantastic turnout. Our locals support our Farmer's Market unbelievably. We appreciate them so much and that's why we wanted to do something for them today as well... We can't thank them enough for their support. From Easter till Christmas, rain, snow or whatever we have got going on, they are here to support us, and it's so appreciated. We love them all," said Tkachuk.
Look what Laila Goodridge found at the Veggie Contest!
The Farmers' Market events on Friday were one of 63 activities across the province at markets taking part in Alberta Local Food Week activities. Initiated by the Alberta government last year, Albert Local Food Week is a promotion to bring awareness to local producers and locally-sourced foods in Alberta communities. This year's events in the Lac La Biche region also included some open farm visits and a tour of a local bee apiary.
