As local growers and producers bring in the fall harvest, there’s plenty to taste and discover at the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market.
Continuing its 25th anniversary year of connecting shoppers with locally grown goodness, the market heads indoors this weekend, taking over the upper level of the Native Sons Hall and spilling outside into downtown Courtenay every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“It’s part of that whole eating seasonally idea – what’s at the market today and what can I do with it?” says Executive Director Vickey Brown.
Eat your greens (and other veggies). Cool weather crops abound in the Valley, meaning “there’s always something green at the market,” Brown says. Eat More Sprouts, winter kale, chard, squash and more fill shoppers’ baskets, with root vegetables, garlic and onion adding even more colour and flavour.
Comfort food begins here. No matter your dietary needs and preferences, you’ll find a winter indulgence here. Discover a wealth of baking, from holiday treats to specialty products, plus pickles, sauerkrauts and other condiments, not to mention meats, poultry and seafood. And if you’re curious about ingredients or how an animal was raised, ask! A big benefit of buying from the market is connecting directly with growers and producers.
Try something new. With vendors featuring everything from rabbit and turkey to yogurt and hazelnut oils, a deliciously inspired dinner has never been closer. “We have processors who are doing everything from soups, sauces and take-home meals to pasta and pesto,” Brown notes. Looking for a holiday hostess gift? Pick up a beautifully packaged, award-winning cheese from Natural Pastures or a bottle of walnut oil.
Holiday shopping. From soup starters to luxurious soap, body products and dried flower wreaths, discover a variety of gift ideas all handcrafted here at home. Looking for a stocking stuffer? Your market regular will love sporting their very own Comox Valley Farmers’ Market anniversary t-shirt, or a bundle of Market tokens available at the info booth.
Sip and sample. The region’s producers are investing their talents into more than food and at the market you’ll also find a sampling of the Valley’s growing wine and distilling industry, including Stone’s Throw and Blue Moon wineries and Wayward Distillery.
New to the winter market? Check in with Vickey Brown (info@cvfm.ca or 250-218-0321) and she’ll be happy to give you a tour of the vendors, for the inside track on all that’s available.
Special events. Watch the market news for a variety of special events and market day draws. And if you have your signatures from 25 different summer market vendors, bring your passport to the first market for a special draw!