The Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region is home to some of Canada's most productive farms and inviting markets.
Taste fresh produce and wander past colourful stacks of fruits and veggies at Vancouver’s bustling Granville Island Public Market, or explore Fraser Valley farms on a self-guided Circle Farm Tour.
Seasonally, look for sweet corn and cranberries from the Fraser Valley (this area produces 90% of Canada’s blueberries), peaches and nectarines from Okanagan orchards, artisan cheeses and jams, fresh eggs, and seafood. Crafts and jewellery often spice up markets as well.
Most markets are seasonal and open on weekends, and there are some winter markets. To visit farms and meet the farmers, follow a Circle Farm Tour, including routes around Abbotsford, Langley, Chilliwack, Pitt Meadows/Maple Ridge and Agassiz/Harrison Mills.
Granville Island Public Market
Located in Vancouver under the Granville Street Bridge, the Granville Island Public Market is open year-round and augmented seasonally with produce from local farmers. A visit to Granville Island can easily become an all-day affair, as this popular indoor market is surrounded by restaurants, theatres, artisan galleries, a kids market, and buskers.
The Public Market embraces everything local, including fresh seafood, made-on-the-premises pasta, seasonal fruits and vegetables, handcrafted cheeses, BC-raised meat and poultry, and fresh baked breads. Food stalls offer global cuisine, such as Chinese, Greek, Italian, Indian, Japanese, Mexican, and Polish.
Across the street, visit Edible Canada, a culinary tourism hotspot whose bistro and retail store showcase high-quality food with local BC ingredients. Pick up a gift basket.
Farmers Markets
Take the SeaBus to North Vancouver for the Saturday Lonsdale Quay Farmers' Market (early May to late October) appealingly located under large, shady trees. The market is right next to the SeaBus terminal. Once there, explore the rest of Lonsdale Quay, home to an array of food vendors, boutiques and restaurants.
The Whistler Farmers' Market winds through Whistler's Upper Village from mid-June to mid-October on Sundays. Pick up supplies for a market-fresh picnic lunch and then venture on Whistler's hiking trails to dine in the alpine.
The Abbotsford Farm & Country Market features dozens of local vendors (late May to mid-October). Enjoy spring pickings of rhubarb and strawberries. Score summer artichokes, blueberries, miniature melons and tomatoes. And revel in autumn harvests of root vegetables, pumpkins, apples, and cranberries, just in time for Thanksgiving.
The University of British Columbia operates a farm on its main campus in Vancouver with produce sales at the UBC Farm Market on Saturdays, late spring through October. The farm's gardeners (agricultural sciences students) grow many crops and manage a free-range poultry flock. Produce is free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
In Richmond, the Steveston Farmers & Artisans Market has more than 50 vendors and is held seasonally on Sundays. After shopping, stroll around Steveston Village or along the waterfront.
U-pick Farms
There are lots of u-pick farms in Richmond and the Fraser Valley. Purchase pre-picked baskets of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries – or head out to the field and pick your own. Other u-pick fruits and vegetables include plums, corn, pumpkins and apples.
Farms to Visit
Some farms in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region go beyond the standard offerings of fresh produce.
At Kilby Historic Site near Agassiz, step back in time with costumed interpreters, and walk through the 1906 General Store Museum once owned by the Kilby family. On the farm, watch for Jersey cows and calves, piglets, lambs, goats, rabbits and more. Children will find a terrific tree fort, teeter-totter and old-fashioned games in the orchard playground.
In North Vancouver, Maplewood Farm is a 2.5ha/6ac park-farm that specializes in domestic farm animals. Animal-lovers will have fun exploring "Rabbitat" where the bunnies reside; "Goathill" where baby goats and their moms play; and the "Duck Yard" where ducks and geese hang out. A milking demonstration is held daily, featuring Daisy the Jersey cow. Pony rides are available seasonally.
Tour the family-owned Birchwood Dairy & Farm Market in Abbotsford and visit the market for dairy products made on-site, including feta cheese, ice cream and frozen yogurt. Another dairy-focused farm is the UBC Dairy Education & Research Centre in Agassiz. Learn about BC’s dairy farming history, production methods, reproductive technology, and animal handling – don’t miss the milking parlour.
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