I strolled through the West End Famers Market this morning. I've been away on vacation so this was the first time I've had a chance to exercise this much loved summer time ritual.
I try to buy locally and where it's important, organic. That's one of the reasons I enjoy farmers' markets. There are several in Vancouver including Kits, Trout Lake, Main Street Station and the West End located on Comox Street between Thurlow and Bute.
Most markets are similar whether in Vancouver, Santa Monica or Rome for that matter. Proud vendors greet eager patrons with products ranging from food to flowers and crafts to wool. And cash please, small bills if you don't mind.
But each market has it's own personality. Here, across the street from the line-up of white-tented stalls is Nelson Park. This once siringe-laden landscape has been reclaimed for families, dogs and frizbees. Bordering the park and directly adjacent the market you'll find one of the city's community gardens -- small plots of land leased to individualls for even smaller amounts of money to grow flowers, herbs and legal produce. It's so lovely.
As I wondered through the market this morning I'm reminded that these are not just open air grocery stores. They're community gathering places where you get to speak to the people who grow the food...and to your neighbors. Parents get to teach their children what fresh basil smells like; that not all food comes packaged in plastic; and that dirt on vegetables is ok.
It's a great way to ease into the weekend with a casual stroll, a bag of fresh, ripe cherries in hand and today, a little sunshine. And to quote the Vancouver Famers Market slogan, it's a chance to "Meet Your Maker."
You can click here for some photos, and here to get more information on Vancouver Farmers Markets, others near by, and the produce you'll find as summer slides all to quickly towards autumn.
New:
A group of people passionate about public markets has issued an invitation to farms, restaurants, shops or non-profits to participate in a new Victoria local food harvest festival called EAT HERE NOW! organized by the Victoria Downtown Public Market Society in support of the re-establishment of a year-round, indoor local produce public market for downtown Victoria. I wish them luck!
Currently rated 5.0 by 4 people
- Currently 5/5 Stars.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
