The Creston Valley Farmers’ Market returns in just over two weeks, and two workshops have been scheduled to help out vendors.

The first is a display workshop that runs from on 9 a.m.-noon on April 21, taught by artist Win Dinn for $10.

“That’s going to teach people the ins and outs of getting a display set up,” said market manager Jen Comer. “She’s going to be able to give tips and tricks. A lot of it is about repurposing thrift store stuff.”

A “market safe” course will be offered for $100 on April 28 to teach Food Safe guidelines. Although Food Safe is not yet required for farmers’ market vendors, Comer said it likely will be in the future, and this course will give vendors a great start.

The first farmers’ market runs on May 5 in the lot behind the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce (the usual Millen-nium Park location will be taken up by the visiting West Coast Amusements).

Shoppers can expect to find bedding plants and perennials, honey, art and donuts, as well as early produce, including lettuce.

“Joy Tomlinson’s been growing tomatoes in her greenhouse and getting them ready since December,” said Comer.

Cassandra Viers, she added, will be there with open pollination seeds and tomato seeds.

With an average of 25 vendors expected at the spring markets, the timing couldn’t be better.

“In the spring, people get into the mindset of eating local food,” said Comer.

The farmers’ market is run by the Creston Valley Food Action Coalition, which now offers members an incentive packages, developed by food action assistant Tamara Movold . Local food makers and businesses, she said, were eager to get on board.

“Everyone said they wanted to do it,” said Movold. “It was just a matter of coming up with incentives.”

Available for a $25 membership, the package contains a dozen incentives, including a free dessert with the purchase of a meal at Real Food Café, and 50 per cent off a member’s first bottle of milk and five per cent off farm gate sales of cheese and meat at Kootenay Alpine Cheese.

Previously, membership was gained by a voluntary donation, but the charge is designed to help the coalition meet one of its goals.

“Part of the food action coalition’s strategy is to cover operating costs without relying on grants,” said Comer.

Read more stories about us:

• Creston Valley Farmers’ Market open for season on Saturday
• 2010 a record year for Creston Valley Farmers’ Market
• Learn to use local produce at Creston farmers’ market