One of the things I look forward to every spring is the opening of Vancouver’s farmers markets. It’s a pleasant way to buy fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, and an array of specialty items in an outdoor setting, often in a park. Shopping locally supports smaller farmers, producers and artisans who don’t have a storefront and depend on their market stalls for a lot of their income.
Buying at the markets also helps reduce CO2 emissions caused by transportation and avoid supply chain issues. Often the produce is picked that morning! I look forward to seasonal items like flowers, English peas, tomatoes, and blueberries. I can also find keto crackers and bread which are only available at markets.
One location, Riley Park, near Nat Bailey Stadium, offers both a summer and winter market, while Hastings Park by the PNE has a small but diverse winter market. Most of the markets have a rotating selection of live entertainment and food trucks. Buskers provide acoustic music in styles ranging from folk, country, and bluegrass. Tables are also available for community groups, especially those related to agriculture or food.
Not only do the markets offer a variety of food and artisan items, bring Vancouver communities together in a family friendly environment, they also help individuals and community groups with several programs.
According to their website, Vancouver Farmers Market (eatlocal.org), “As a non-profit organization with deep roots in the community, we at Vancouver Farmers Markets believe that healthy, locally grown food should be available to everyone, regardless of income.”
One initiative which helps low-income families and individuals is the Vancouver Farmers Markets’ Fresh to Families Fund. The fund provides approximately 17,000 local families with fresh food from BC farms and producers. Since 2015, the fund has been supporting low-income families, refugees, expecting mothers and seniors with food coupons which can be used to purchase produce, meat, eggs, and dairy products. It also provides food skills and nutritional programming. In 2022, the program raised $17,000 in matching funds with a goal of $30,000 on Giving Tuesday, an annual charity donation event. Individuals and businesses can donate to the program and receive a tax receipt for donations over $20. This initiative also supports farmers and producers as their sales are increased.
Another community benefit is a donation station which collects fruits and vegetables, nuts, eggs, and food items at different markets monthly. The food is distributed to community food programs including hospices, women’s and senior’s centres. Food, market money and money can be donated on specific days which are noted on the Vancouver Farmers Market (eatlocal.org) website.
There are also sponsorship opportunities to help vendors with stall fees, marketing, and transportation. As many of the sellers are small or family run businesses, this helps them with the tees to rent their tables, and other costs.
Vancouver Farmers Markets Dates and Times
Riley Park – Summer Market
Location: 50 E 30th Ave & Ontario Street
When: Apr 1, 2023 – Oct 28, 2023
Time: Saturdays 10am – 2pm
Riley Park – Winter Market
Location: 50 E 30th Ave & Ontario Street
When: TBA
Time: Saturdays 10am – 2pm
Trout Lake
Location: Lakewood Dr. & E. 13th Ave.
When: Apr 1, 2023 – Oct 28, 2023
Time: Saturdays 9am – 2pm
Kitsilano
Location: Kitsilano Community Centre
When: May 7, 2023 – Oct 29, 2023
Time: Sundays 10am – 2pm
West End
Location: 1100 Comox St btw. Bute & Thurlow
When: May 20, 2023 – Oct 28, 2023
Time: Saturdays 9am – 2pm
Hastings Park – Winter
Location: Hastings Park Centre Grounds
When: TBA
Time: Sundays 10am – 2pm
Mount Pleasant
Location: Dude Chilling Park, 8th Ave & Guelph St
When: May 21, 2023 – Oct 29, 2023
Time: Sundays 10am – 2pm
Downtown
Location: 750 Hornby Street
When: May 31, 2023 – Nov 29, 2023
Time: Wednesdays 2pm – 6pm
UBC Farm Tuesday Farmers Market
Location: 3461 Ross Drive
When: June 3, 2023 – Nov 25, 2023
Time: Tuesdays 4pm – 6pm
UBC Farm Wednesday Bookstore Market
Location: Outside UBC Bookstore
When: June 7, 2023 – Oct 25, 2023
Time: Wednesdays 11am – 2pm
UBC Farm Saturday Farmers Market
Location: 3461 Ross Drive
When: June 6, 2023 – Oct 31, 2023
Time: Saturdays 10am – 2pm
False Creek
Location: Concord Community Park
When: June 1, 2023 – Oct 5, 2023
Time: Thursdays 3pm – 7pm
In addition to the above markets, Cambie Village is hosting a monthly market featuring farmers, bakers, artisans, and community organizations. There were a variety of pickles, sauces, and condiments to compliment the vegetables and fresh bread. During my last visit, I found mini cucumbers and mixed salad for $5 each and peas for $6, all picked that morning! It’s a small market but worth visiting.
Cambie Village Market
Location: Cambie Street & 17th Ave
When: Monthly Jul 22, 2023, Aug 26, 2023, Sep 9, 2023, Oct 21, 2023,
Nov 18, 2023, Dec 9, 2023
Time: Saturdays 10am – 3pm
