Andrew Farmer’s Market Offers Top Quality Produce and Products

Michelle Pinon

News Advertiser

Increasingly more, consumers want to know where their food comes from, and how it’s raised and grown.

That’s why more and more people are frequenting farmers’ markets throughout the province this year.

Sarah Laudin, who started flower farming this summer near Andrew, can attest to that. The owner of Sunshine Blooms Farm, says the response has been very positive so far. She has even been fortunate enough to have the support of two local flower shops in Mundare and Smoky Lake who are selling her flowers. “I’ve done well so far.

“I’ve done well so far,” said Laudin, who was one of a handful of vendors at the Andrew Farmers’ Market on Sept. 5.

Rod’s Greenhouse, Vegreville area business, had a nice assortment of Chrysanthemum’s for sale along with air plants and house plants. The greenhouse also sells an assortment of produce. Now is an ideal time to purchase tulip and daffodil bulbs and garlic to see this fall.

Jams, jelly, pickles, and baked items were also on display. Terry and Sonia Levicki, owners of the Veggie Village near Andrew, had beets, lettuce, celery, onions, potatoes, and rhubarb for sale. The couple managed the Andrew Farmers Market for 19 years, and both are looking forward to the upcoming Fall Extravaganza on Sept. 26. That event will replace the annual Garlic Festival this year due to COVID-19 health and gathering restrictions.

The folks from the Hairy Hill Colony had fresh corn, veggies, pickles, eggs, buns, and pies available for sale. They also sell chickens. Sam Hofer said they planted over 18,000 head of cabbage, which is extremely popular with customers who make cabbage rolls and sauerkraut. They will even shred cabbage for special orders.

People have the option to buy poultry direct.

Hofer said they butcher chickens every Wednesday. In addition to their chickens, they can butcher other people’s chickens if they pass provincial inspection requirements.

Anna-Lee Laderoute, who has managed the managed the Andrew Farmer’s Market for the past three years, was busy grilling burgers in the concession. She said things have been busy since they re-opened, and is looking forward to the Fall Extravaganza. “We had our first market on June 20th and we closed down on July 18th and then re-opened on August 15th. We closed down due to COVID in the area. We have had a great year so far, customer and vendor wise-I would say busier than usual. Our regular markets are busier than in previous years.

We are having an end of season market on Sept 26. We are allowing 30 vendors only due to the regulations. We can have 100 people in the building at once, so if we have 30 vendors plus one helper each, that will leave roughly 40 customers allowed at once.”