During a recent trip to Vancouver, BC, we headed straight for the famous Granville Island Public Market, only to discover that much of the produce was imported from far-off locations, including our own state of California. That market is certainly fun to visit, but for truly local BC food, we knew we needed to hit up one of Vancouver's farmers' markets. So, on a rainy Saturday morning, we strolled through the beautiful West End market, its tents nestled between community gardens and Victorian homes.
The West End farmers' market is on the smaller side with about three dozen vendors (we can't wait to go back and visit the bigger Trout Lake farmers' market), but it's well appointed with farm, food, and craft vendors, many of them organic and all of them hailing from BC. In addition to fruit and vegetable growers, there are wild fish harvesters, meat and poultry ranchers, dairy and cheese producers, and purveyors of baked goods, preserves, honey, coffee, and sweets. We loved the green, community-oriented aspects of this market, which includes a Food Scraps Drop Spot for compostables and a bike repair service.
In season right now are gloriously sweet cherries, strawberries, and raspberries; colorful beets and radishes; young garlic, onions, and scapes; and charming little new potatoes. We sampled local hazelnuts, small batch jam from Sticky Spoon, melt-in-your-mouth scones from Purebread, and a lovely array of cheeses from Little Qualicum Cheeseworks. As tourists, it was the perfect place to learn a bit about the local food culture, eat breakfast, and buy souvenirs to take home.
Do you live in Vancouver? Tell us about your favorite markets and vendors!
More information: Vancouver Farmers Markets
Related: A Food-Lover's Guide to Vancouver
(Images: Emily Ho)
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Three cheers for my hometown! Next time you're in Vancouver, I highly recommend checking out the Kitsilano farmers' market (Sundays from 10-2). Yes, Trout Lake gets all the buzz, being the original, but Kits is far bigger, better, and more pleasant to shop. Also, the winter market at Nat Bailey Stadium is a breath of fresh air during the especially gross season here. For more info: www.eatlocal.org
The West End Farmer's Market is a block from my house! The man who grows the radishes in the picture is terribly handsome. His radishes are delicious.
It's nice to see something truly local to me on The Kitchn, because as an American site, there's little Canadian content!
Rainy and cool enough for jackets in the summer? Forget PA, I want to move to Vancouver!
Kimberlyrose - no, you don't!!! Having lived in Vancouver my whole life, I can assure you that there is nothing nice about our perpetually dark, damp, rainy, grey weather. By the time June rolls around and you're *still* bone-cold and there's *still* no sign of the sun, you're literally ready to hop the next flight to California! Ah...the grass is always greener on the other side...though I suppose that's the one thing rain is good for: healthy lawns ;)
You've just described my perfect weather. I know it's weird, but I've lived in very grey, chilly climates before and I love it.
I'm with kimberlyrose. The weather sounds perfect to me also - I'm from Pittsburgh and the only days I like are the grey ones.