People in Maple Ridge are rediscovering an old truth: fruit and vegetables taste spectacular when they are picked in your own back yard and in season.

If you do not have garden space, local farmers are willing to get up early to bring their produce to our downtown market.

The taste of a freshly pulled carrot or a seasonal strawberry can be startling to people used to super-market imports that have shed many vitamins by the time you buy them.

Thanksgiving week-end saw the last Haney Farmers’ Market outdoors under tent shelters for the year.

For the 1,000 and more regular market shoppers, two more winter markets will be held, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5 at St. Andrew’s Haney United Church on Dewdney Trunk Road.

These will feature a large array of vendors, with plenty of produce outdoors and many indoor tables offering crafts and food.

Eileen and Paul Dwillies have been part of the steering committee for the Haney Farmers’ Market since its six-week experimental start in August 2002.

This was an outcome of a municipal study group that wanted to encourage more downtown shoppers.

The market was properly organized as a non-profit society, with rules about who could sell there.

Like all markets under the umbrella organization B.C. Farmers’ Markets, vendors must sell items that are 100 per cent locally grown, baked or made.

Food Safe rules apply to any vendors selling prepared food or drinks.

Market manager Eileen Dwillies reports that the number of vendors has increased to nine vegetable stalls, along with a steady increase in customers.

In 2009, several new products have been available to market goers.

Frozen cuts of beef, pork, lamb, sausages, fish and seafood have been on sale on a rotating basis.

People were asking for fresh eggs, which arrived later in the season.

With the addition of two new artisan bread vendors, Dwillies plans to retire next year as the unofficial “Bread lady.”

The Dwillies would like to see further additions to the Haney Farmers’ Market in 2010 when it re-opens in May.

There could be some food concessions selling such items as crepes or smoothies.

There is room for some specialty fruits and vegetables to add to the varieties already on offer.

Two other food items that we so far have lacked are cheeses and pickles.

Backyard gardeners with a surplus of produce may also bring their bounty to market on an occasional basis, even sharing a table with others.

People may inquire about the market at 604-467-7433, or go to its website (www.maheyfarmersmarket.org).

The Nov. 7 winter market at St. Andrew’s Haney United Church begins with a 9:30 a.m. pancake breakfast, then opens to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Dec. winter market also runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with plenty of Christmas baking and craft items.

Then we’ll all have to wait until next spring for the Haney Farmers’ Market to resume at Memorial Peace Park.

• Sheila Nickols is a board member of the Maple Ridge Historical Society.