Wednesday August 2, 2023 | SOOKE, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc. | Island Social Trends
The annual summer Sooke Night Market has become well established as a fun Thursday-evening activity for families while being an economic boost for local food producers and artisans.
Held on the grounds of the Sooke Region Museum from 5 to 8 pm each Thursday from June into September, the eclectic variety of offerings is part of its charm. On offer for sale are fresh-grown produce, snacks and preserves as well as clothing, jewelry, art and crafts, and plants.
Vendors may book for the whole summer or show up for a few nights of the summer season.
Food trucks offer their tasty cuisine. There’s live music.
Old friends meeting up or connecting with new folks in the community — that’s all part of it. It’s a popular opportunity to interact with the community.
Local produce:
At this community market, people can count on finding a few booths with fresh fruits and vegetables grown locally.
Markets like this are supported with BC Government farmer’s market nutrition coupons as available to low-income families and seniors.
In 2022, the program reached 4,091 seniors, up from 1,982 in 2021, and 10,152 households benefited, an increase from 6,684 households in 2021.
“The program not only improves nutrition and prevents chronic disease, but also strengthens community connections and reduces social isolation,” said BC Health Minister Adrian Dix back in June. “We will continue to invest in initiatives like this to promote healthy communities throughout the province.”
Agriculture and Food Minister Pam Alexis said: “This program is helping feed more people and bring more visitors to markets, which supports local farmers, enriches communities and supports our province’s food security.”
As part of the $12 million in 2021-22 year-end funding, $3 million is being used to support an increase in the number of seniors participating in the program over three years ($1 million each year). This program, in its second year of funding, is at capacity.
Information booths:
The Sooke Night Market offers an opportunity for finding information about local services including the Sooke Library branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) and also the District of Sooke which is presently gathering public input about their 2024 Budget.
Photo tour July 20:
There was a lot of vibrant action at the Sooke Night Market on July 20 when Island Social Trends did a bit of a photo tour.[Photos by Mary P Brooke / Island Social Trends]:
===== ABOUT ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS:
Island Social Trends is an online news portal at IslandSocialTrends.ca where news of the south Vancouver Island region is posted daily. Also BC and national news.
This publication started in Sooke (as the printed publications MapleLine Magazine in 2008-2010 and then Sooke Voice News 2011-2013), then expanded as West Shore Voice News (2014-2020) before emerging to its current Island/BC/national reach online as Island Social Trends (since mid-2020).
The print editions of MapleLine Magazine, Sooke Voice News, and West Shore Voice News are in the permanent archives at the Sooke Region Museum.
The entire publication series is the creation of Mary P Brooke, editor and publisher. The mission is to explore community growth in today’s modern society, through a socioeconomic lens. Published by Brookeline Publishing House Inc.