West End Farmers Market opens for the season

The weather outside might be more early spring than pre-summer but with the West End Farmers Market set to open on Saturday, June 5th we can always hope the rain gods will be appeased and the warmer (and drier) weather will begin.

Now in its 12th year, Vancouver's farmers markets are a sure sign of summer.  And while there are still the mainstays of any farmers market - the in-season fruits and vegetables - today^'s farmers market is blossoming into much, much more.

Prepared foods such as breads, preserves and spices are now lined up alongside the potatoes, lettuce and cherries and the list continues to grow each year with fresh fish, artisan cheese, free range poultry and home-made preserves all being offered for sale.

And if that weren't enough, how about a quick massage or maybe even a freshly made crepe washed down with some organic, carbon-neutral coffee (in bio-degradable cups,of course) while listening to a local singer/songwriter?

Vancouver Farmers Markets, operated by Your Local Farmers Market Society, run four markets throughout the week during the summer (May/June through October) plus a special one-day holiday market in December.

In Vancouver's West End, the market takes place every Saturday (9am - 2pm) through October 23rd in the 1100 Block of Comox Street across from Nelson Park at Mole Hill.

For those on the east side of town a Trout Lake Farmers Market takes place each Saturday (9am - 2pm) in the north parking lot of John Hendry Park Trout Lake Community Centre.

The Wednesday market at Thornton Park (across from the VIA Rail Station and near the Main St Skytrain Station) operates from 3pm - 7pm and the Kitsilano Market (10th Avenue and Larch Street in the parking lot of Kitsilano Community Centre) operates from 10am -2pm on Sundays.

This year's holiday market will take place on December 11th at the Croatian Community Centre.

Vancouver Farmers Markets

For more information visit http://www.eatlocal.org.