Farmers’ market manager moving on
After six successful seasons as the Penticton Farmers’ Market manager, Erin Trainer will be taking a step back and passing on the torch at the end of December.
But don’t worry: she’ll still attend the market every Saturday during its season next year, and she really does mean it.
Trainer has seen much success with the market throughout her time as a manager, from three business awards to a stronger social media presence. But with a part-time job, her re-election to Summerland council and a six-month-old baby, Trainer’s excited to let a fresh perspective continue to move the market forward.
“I can’t wait to see someone new look at what I did and take the (market) where they want to go,” she said Tuesday. “It’s such a cool job.” The most recent accomplishment for the market was winning the Excellence in Tourism award from the Penticton Chamber of Commerce last month.
The Farmer’s Market also won the chamber’s Excellence in Agriculture award in 2014, and the Best Medium Sized Market award from the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets for 2015.
Trainer will miss the people she meets from around the world, the weekly regulars who would visit and shop, and the core beliefs of “make it, bake it, grow it” that the market embodies.
“It really has a feeling of belonging and to be able to go to a place where you feel comfortable and part of something — that’s so valuable for a city,” Trainer said. “It’s a really welcoming vibe.” Trainer explained that when she accepted the position six years ago, she witnessed how quickly the market was expanding.
“I realized we needed to bring it up a notch,” she said, explaining how she refreshed the website and created a stronger social media presence that resulted in 500 followers on Facebook to well over 5,000 now.
She also introduced the coupon nutrition program, liquor vendors, and celebrated the market’s 25th anniversary.
But the market also faced some challenges, notably the revitalization of the 100 block on Main Street.
Trainer also complimented the experience of working with the Downtown Penticton Association and their Community Market that runs on Saturdays as well.
And while both markets are separate entities with unique values, “both markets add to that Saturday morning,” she said.