An unusually warm and sunny September has resulted in a bounty of produce and an influx of shoppers to Coquitlam's farmers markets.
Plump, sweet peaches, anti-oxidant-rich blueberries and delicate lettuce are among the offerings at the local markets, which are luring people to the farm stands to pick up their fruits and vegetables.
There have been line-ups at some of the vendors to buy produce that normally might be out of season by now, said Tabitha McLoughlin, executive director of the society that runs the market in the Dogwood Pavilion parking lot (Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and at Coquitlam Spirit Square (last market tonight, Friday, Sept. 16, running 4 to 8 p.m.)
"The weather has definitely balanced out what was happening at beginning of the season, when everything was very, very late," McLoughlin said.
As a result, some of the soft fruits, such as cherries, blueberries and peaches, have had a longer season and some of the fall vegetables, such as squash and apples, are just starting to come in now.
"We're still seeing peaches from the Okanagan and Mission, and they have been fantastic this year, much like the blueberries."
Although tonight is the last night for the Spirit Square market, the Sunday markets will continue through Oct. 30.
This Sunday, kids will be treated to several activities to get them involved in their local market. Some children will be selling their own wares, such as jewelry, and there will be a treasure hunt, music, face painting and entertainment featuring magician Peter Krauss.
Fore more information, visit www.makebakegrow.com.
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