This past Sunday we visited a Farmer’s market in Port Coquitlam and if you have never been to one this is definitely something that you should do. A Farmer’s Market is a cornucopia of items on display for sale, and you will find local artists selling their crafts, honey, organic meat, fish, produce, breads, jams, jellies and plants and much more. During one of our recent visits we picked up a loaf of walnut, rye bread and some organic tomatoes. The one thing that I want to mention is that I am all for supporting local artists, growers and farmers but sometimes the prices are too high. If I can buy a local organic item for less at a local store then I want to purchase this product at the Farmer’s market but for the same or 5% higher price. I want to support the Farmer’s market although you must help me miss consumer with making sure that I can get a great price so that the Farmer’s markets do not turn into venues where people with money shop. It use to be a Farmers’ market was where farmers would go to sell their extra produce, meat and cheese. I want to help support this area of business for growth and require your help for me to spread the word about the wonderful array of items and great prices. Farmer’s markets are definitely a place that you should go and explore, sample and buy from if you have never had this experience. Beware of the prices and know what you are hunting for prior to going will help to make the experience all that more enjoyable. One more thing is bring your own bag to load all your goodies into as bags are generally not available. The list of Farmer’s markets is from The Vancouver Sun Newspaper. Have a wonderful summer/fall at the Farmer’s markets and happy hunting! For full information on the 105 member markets of the B.C. Association of Farmers markets go to www.bcfarmersmarket.org
VANCOUVER
Trout Lake Farmers Market
Location: North parking lot of John Hendry Park, adjacent to the alley of East 13th Ave. at Templeton Drive
Dates: Saturday, May 8 to Oct. 23
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
BURNABY
Burnaby Farmers Market
Location: North parking lot of Burnaby City Hall, 4949 Canada Way
Dates: Saturday, June 12 to Oct. 30
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
COQUITLAM
Coquitlam Farmers Market
Location: 624 Poirier St.
Dates: Sunday, May 9 to Oct. 31
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MAPLE RIDGE
Haney Farmers Market
Location: Memorial Peace Park in downtown Maple Ridge
Dates: Saturday, May 8 to Nov. 6
Times: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
PORT COQUITLAM
Port Coquitlam Farmers Market
Location: 2252 Leigh Square
Dates: Thursday, May 20 to Sept. 16
Time: 3 to 7 p.m.
SURREY
Surrey Urban Farmers Market
Location: North Surrey Recreation Centre, 10275-135th St.
Dates: Thursday, June 17 to Sept. 30
Time: 1 to 6 p.m.
NORTH VANCOUVER
Lonsdale Quay Farmers Market
Location: E. Plaza, Lonsdale Quay
Dates: Saturday, May 8 to Oct. 30
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WEST VANCOUVER
Ambleside Farmers Market
Location: Parking lot on Bellevue Avenue between 13th and 14th
Dates: Sunday, June 6 to Oct. 31
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHITE ROCK
White Rock Farmers Market
Location: Miramar Village Plaza, 15154 Russell Ave.
Dates: Sunday, May 30 to Oct. 10
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
