Tomorrow (August 17), community members are invited to partake in a culinary experience at the Cochrane Farmers' Market. 

Thanks to a grant provided by the provincial government, the Cochrane Farmers' Market and Chef Susan Hoy of Culinary Skills and Nutrition, are hosting 'Chef at the Market: Local Food Tours' in honour of Alberta Local Food Week.

The new initiative by the government will enable Hoy to take registered participants on a tour through the market, connecting local producers and food artisans with those signed up.

Besides showcasing all the goods that our local community offers, Hoy will demonstrate how easy is it is to utilize local items in everyday meal planning. "There seems to be a real disconnect between people and food, and I thought what better way to get people to connect than to utilize the Farmers' Market to get people to reconnect to their food, slow down for a minute, and just to think about their food. Doing it through the market really helps to change people's perspective on how they live their life."

Believing tomorrow's event will provide a good opportunity for community members to inquire and ask questions about food items, Hoy is hoping those signed up will embrace the 45-minute tours. 

Valerie McCracken, Market Manager agrees that the local tours will be a great chance for customers to connect with those who 'make, bake, and grow' the items. Following requirements and guidelines set out by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, the Cochrane Farmers' Market is one of over 130 Alberta approved farmers' markets serving up some of the most nutritious, fresh, local products. While McCracken shares some items sold at the market are not necessarily directly from the vendors own farm, customers can be assured, each and every vendor knows exactly where their products came from.

While McCracken doesn't have an exact number of how many vendors will be showcased in the market tour, she is excited by how Hoy is doing it. "Susan Hoy has created for us a collection of eight recipes all developed specifically for this event. We are printing up recipe cards so anyone who is taking part in a tour will get a set of the special edition recipes using the products directly from the vendors. So I think it really showcases our Cochrane and area vendors so well, and she has done a magnificent job. It is just another way to share and show people how you can take these products and make these great seasonal, local dishes."

Hoy shares participants will learn and take away recipes for salads, entrees, a beverage, and an easy dessert. Inspiration for the featured food dishes comes from the market itself, says Hoy. "All I have to do is walk through the market and my head explodes with ideas. Valerie commented a few weeks ago that she was surprised at how many different speciality ingredients from the market can be incorporated into a recipe.. it is just the way I think." 

Hoy did a similar initiative at the Cochrane Farmers' Market a couple of years ago and says it was a great experience. 

Tomorrow's market will once again feature a great mix of full-time and part-time vendors offering a wide range of new and unique products from farmers, growers, brewers, and distillers.

The Cochrane Farmers' Market kicks off at 9:30 a.m. in the Ranche Historic Park and those interested in the Local Food Tour with Chef Hoy are asked to register for the FREE event HERE. 

The Cochrane Environmental Action Committee (CEAC) has been hosting the Cochrane Farmers' Market for 21 years.