For those looking for a more direct line to local food producers this harvest season, the North Shore has four farmers markets for you to browse until the cows come home.
To get your hands on the freshest produce available, head to Loutet Farm at 1400 Rufus Ave. in North Vancouver. As part of the Edible Garden Project, food grown on public park land and in a schoolyard garden at Sutherland Secondary is sold biweekly. Loutet’s Farm Community Market is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday from May to the end of October.
At the market, you’ll find Bad Dog Bread, also hailing from North Van. The bakery uses organic B.C. grains to make naturally leavened bread and other baked goodies. There’s also Nectaro, a Vancouver-based health drink company that makes wellness shots with cold-pressed ginger, fresh lemon and raw, local clover honey.
Visit Loutet on Wednesdays 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for fresh fruits and veg grown on the farm.
Live closer to the North Shore’s urban core? Check out Lonsdale farmers market in Lonsdale Quay's East Plaza at 123 Carrie Cates Ct. on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
While you’re there, get your fungal fix from Whistler Harvest, a vertical farming company based in the Sea-to-Sky region. The grower sells cultivated gourmet microgreens and mushrooms, as well as foraged ones. Or, treat both your tastebuds and eyes to a picturesque Japanese baked pudding from Early Bird Desserts. These delicate confections are made with ingredients flown directly from Japan or grown locally in B.C.
There's also another market for North Van urbanites at the civic plaza at 141 14th St. West on Wednesdays 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
If you’re in West Van, take a seaside stroll down to Ambleside farmers market at 1000 Argyle Ave. on Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Looking for some beachy bling? Peruse the wares of Vancouver-based jewelry and glassware maker Glasea. All pieces are handmade using borosilicate glass, a durable material commonly used for laboratory glassware.
If starting your day with zest sounds apeeling, get your hands on a batch of dehydrated lemons from Lemonjarz. Don’t drink enough water because you find it boring? Pop in a citrusy slice.
To find even more pop-up artisan shops, use the BC Farmers' Market Trail tool with over 145 locations to explore.
This article has been updated to include the North Vancouver civic plaza farmers market.
