Farmers markets in the Lower Mainland
Spend a summer exploring and enjoying the farmers markets of the Lower Mainland
Some of the pleasantest pastimes to be enjoyed when travelling are visits to farmers markets in the small towns along our routes. Although that’s especially so in the towns and villages of the Okanagan, Kootenay and Peace River regions of British Columbia, that doesn’t mean travellers exploring the Vancouver Coast and Mountain region cannot enjoy the activity. They can—at farmers and artisans markets from Chilliwack in the eastern Fraser Valley to one that is surrounded by Whistler’s hiking trails and ski hills.
Farmers markets began life as extensions of farm-gate stalls. Today, they are places where farmers market their homegrown produce to neighbours and casual passersby. Markets boast colourful displays of freshly picked veggies, ripe berries, mouth-watering home-baked goods, jams and honey. Everything is at the peak of perfection, full of great taste and nutrition.
It took less than a decade for the concept to evolve into destination markets where artists and local crafters could also display their wares. Today’s visitors to the summer markets, including the kids, can enjoy entertainment, games and made-on-the-spot food and drink, most of it outdoors in the sunshine.
Below is a sampling of markets in the region that adhere to the 100 per cent made, baked or grown policy of the B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets:
Whistler-Squamish
Located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain along the Upper Village Stroll
Sundays, hours TBA, June 21 to October 11
Squamish Elementary School, Buckley Avenue at Cleveland in downtown Squamish
Alternate Saturdays 11-3, May to October, opening date TBA
West Vancouver, North Vancouver and Burnaby
Ambleside Market: 1500 Bellevue Avenue, West Vancouver, B.C.
Sundays 11-4, May 3 to October 25
Info: [email protected]
Lonsdale Quay Market: 123 Carrie Cates Court (East Plaza at Lonsdale Quay)
Saturdays 10-3, May 2 to October 24
Burnaby Market: Burnaby City Hall, 4949 Canada Way at Deer Lake Parkway, Burnaby, B.C.
Saturdays 9-2, May 2 to October 24
Updates and details of special events at the three markets above
Vancouver Farmers Markets
West End Farmers’ Market: 1100 Block of Comox Street at Thurlow
Saturdays 9-2 p.m. May 30 - October 24
Trout Lake Market: Lakewood Drive at 13th Avenue
Saturdays 9-2 p.m. May 9 - October 24
Kitsilano Market: Connaught Park Community Centre, West 10th Avenue at Larch Street
Sundays 10-2 p.m. May 10 - October 25
Main Street Station Market: 1100 Station Street (Main Street at Terminal Avenue)
Wednesday evenings 3-7 p.m. June 3 - October 7
Kerrisdale Market: 5500 East Boulevard “in the shadow of Point Grey High School"
Saturdays 10-2 p.m. June 13 to October 10
Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market: 2300 Guelph Street at 8th Avenue
Sundays 10-2 p.m. June 14 to October 11
Yaletown Farmers Market: 1200 Mainland Street (between Davie and Helmcken)
Thursdays 2-6 p.m. May 7 to October 29
Information for the above seven markets: eatlocal.org/markets
Other Vancouver markets
Granville Island Market: 1680 Johnston Street, across from the Public Market in Triangle Square
Thursdays 10-3 p.m. June 4 to October 8
Celebrating its 21st year, this is the oldest and most established market in Vancouver. For more information see granvilleisland.com
The University of British Columbia Farm Market: 3461 Ross Drive, Vancouver
Saturdays 9-1 p.m. June 13 to October 31
Different than other markets, this is a 24-hectare teaching, research and community farm located on UBC’s Vancouver campus, managed by the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems. For more information, email [email protected] or go to ubcfarm.ubc.ca/markets
New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam/Port Moody, Haney/Maple Ridge
Royal City Farmers Market: Royal Avenue at 4th Street, New Westminster
Season start date and hours of operation TBA after AGM
Updates and Information: www.rcfm.ca
Port Moody Winter Market: Port Moody Recreation Complex
Late fall/winter, every second Sunday 10-2 p.m. until April 26
Port Moody takes the Coquitlam market indoors for fall and winter months
Coquitlam Market: 624 Poirier Street, Coquitlam
Sundays 9-1 p.m. May 3 to end of October
Chefs’ demos, interactive workshops, monthly salmon barbecue.
Updates and information: makebakegrow.com
Port Coquitlam Market: 2253 Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam
Thursdays 3-7 p.m. June 4 to September 24
Cake-cutting ceremony with Mayor Greg Moore begins at 4 p.m. June 4
Updates and information: portcoquitlamfarmersmarket.org/
Haney Farmers Market: Memorial Peace Park, 224th Street in downtown Maple Ridge
Saturdays 9-2 p.m., May 9 to November 14
Updates and events information: haneyfarmersmarket.org
Richmond/Steveston, Surrey, White Rock, Ladner
Steveston Farmers and Artisans Market: Gulf of Georgia Cannery at Third Avenue and Moncton Street, Steveston
Sundays 10-4 p.m. every other weekend from May 10 to October 25
Updates and information: www.sfam.ca
Surrey Urban Farmers Market: 13450-104th Avenue, Surrey
Tentative: Wednesdays 12-5 p.m. June 10 to October 7 (Check website for updates)
Updates and information on the market and community and garden/food growing workshops: surreymarket.org
White Rock Market: 15154 Russell Avenue, between Johnson and Russell, White Rock
Sundays 9-1 p.m. May 24 to October 11
Fall/Winter: Elks Hall, October 18-December 13
Updates and information: whiterockfarmersmarket.ca
Ladner Village Market: 5028 48th Avenue, between Delta and Elliott Streets, Delta
Every second Sunday 10-4 p.m. June 14 to September 13
Updates and information: ladnervillagemarket.com
Fraser Valley
Mission City Farmers Market: 33247 Second Avenue, Mission
Seedy Saturday: March 28 (see website)
Saturdays 9-1 mid-May to mid-October
Updates and information: missioncityfarmersmarket.com
Fort Langley Market: 9025 Glover Road, Fort Langley (near historic St. Andrews Church)
Saturdays 10-3 May 2 to December 21
Updates and information: fortlangleyvillagefarmersmarket.org
Langley Community Farmers’ Market: Kwantlen University Campus Courtyard, 20901 Langley Bypass, Langley
Wednesdays 2-6:30 p.m. May 20 to October 14
Updates and information: langleycommunityfarmersmarket.com
Abbotsford Farm & Country Market: Montrose Avenue at George Ferguson Way
Saturdays 9-1 p.m. every two weeks from February to mid-April, then every Saturday through to Christmas 2015
Updates and Information: abbotsfordfarmandcountrymarket.com
Chilliwack Market: Five Corners Park at Princess Avenue and Young Road, downtown Chilliwack
Usually held Saturdays 9:30-2:30 p.m. June 6 to October 10
Updates and information: chilliwackfarmersmarket.com
This list merely cracks open the door to a vast array of farmers market activities throughout the Vancouver Coast and Mountains region. A few opening or closing dates and hours of operation were unknown at the time of writing. Check market websites for updates and many more details about market themes.
