Processors are those folks who take a raw agricultural product and create something fabulous with it.
At the Comox Valley Farmers' Market, this includes items like yogurt, and gelato as well as preserves; pickles, jams, jellies and sauces such as those by Seal Bay, Natures Way, Ironwood, and Rockbottom Farms and As You Like It catering.
This Saturday from 9 to noon they’ll provide lots of samples so customers can taste the difference that using local produce makes in the end product.
Barbara Odegard of Ironwood Farm explains why: “At one time no farm household would let good, edible food go to waste. The best way to deal with and preserve foods that were in overabundant supply was to preserve them in various forms.
"Jams, jellies, chutneys, butters, canned fruit and vegetables would stock the shelves for those long winter days until a new season of fresh fruit and vegetables were available. “
This is why the transition into the cold months and into the indoor location brings new products from the vendors you see all summer long.
In addition to fruit and vegetable preserves, Comox Valley farmers also produce nuts and nut oils and butters, dairy products, tortillas corn chips, and salsas.
There weekly market happens these days at the Native Sons Hall in Courtenay.
— Comox Valley Farmers' Market