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A donated gift basket and a few raffle tickets can seem like an easy way to raise money at a farmers’ market, craft fair or community fundraiser. But in British Columbia, the difference between a raffle, a free prize giveaway and a silent auction affects more than how winners are chosen. It can determine whether…

A farmers’ market needs more than a collection of producers willing to set up stalls. Someone has to secure a suitable location, coordinate vendors, manage food safety requirements and make sure the event can operate even when attendance or the weather doesn’t cooperate. For smaller communities in British Columbia, the challenge is finding a model…

An outdoor farmers’ market can have excellent vendors and a great location yet still struggle because shoppers cannot move comfortably between stalls, delivery vehicles arrive too late or a sudden change in weather disrupts the entire site. For organizers in the West Kootenays, a workable market layout needs to account for more than the number…

A jar of homemade jam, a box of cookies and a tray of fresh sandwiches may all look at home on a farmers’ market table, but they don’t necessarily fall under the same food safety requirements. In British Columbia, the approvals you need depend on what you’re selling, how the food is prepared and whether…

Selling at a farmers’ market can be a practical way to test a small food business, find customers for your harvest or introduce handmade products to your community. But getting a stall involves more than showing up with a table and something to sell. In British Columbia, you’ll need to find a market that accepts…