White Rock Farmers' Market officials are celebrating a landmark moment, after capturing two of three provincial awards last weekend in Kelowna.
At the B.C. Farmers' Market 17th Annual Conference, the White Rock market was named Market of the Year and Helen Fathers – executive director of the WRFMS and a White Rock city councillor – won Market Manager of the Year.
"We're thrilled," Fathers said Monday of the kudos.
She noted the market, which is entering its 18th year, has been nominated for the award before, including last year. She is confident the role it's grown to play in the community was a significant factor in the win.
"What (the judges) said to us was they really like the fact how connected we were to the community," Fathers said, naming education grants and donations to the local food bank as among those contributions.
"When you write down the things we do in the community, boy, it's extensive. I think we deserve a good pat on the back."
Preparations are underway for the 2016 season, which runs May 29 to Oct. 9.
A jury process for new vendors for the coming season is set for 2-4 p.m. Sunday, April 10 at the Elks Hall, 1469 George St.
For more information, visit www.whiterockfarmersmarket.ca