Vancouver鈥檚 original winter farmers market is kicking off the season Saturday and marking a milestone.
麻豆传媒映画Farmers Markets is marking the 10th anniversary of its winter market at Riley Park-Nay Bailey Stadium. To celebrate a decade on site at Riley Park, the market is set to open Saturday morning with more than 100 farms and producers, making it the largest ever winter market opening day.
鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to see how the winter season has grown since we moved from the WISE Hall to Nay Bailey in 2010,鈥� said Jen Candela, VFM鈥檚 communications manager and coordinator of the market from 2007 to 2011.
鈥淲e were just 44 vendors that first year at the stadium 鈥� now we鈥檝e expanded to both side of Ontario Street with 100 vendors each week, and run a second winter market at Hastings Park.鈥�
The Hastings Park market opens Nov. 3.
Alongside a slew of returning favourites, both markets are welcoming a number of new vendors 鈥� new local farms, craft beverage producers, artisanal food makers, and food and coffee trucks.
鈥淭he variety of producers the winter markets attract is a testament to Vancouver鈥檚 growing appetite for local food,鈥� Tara McDonald, VFM鈥檚 executive director, said in a press release.
The winter markets have grown over the years 鈥� going from 1,400 shoppers a week in 2010 to 5,000 in 2019.
The increase has also been a boon for the market vendors. Sales have gone from $370,000 in 2010 to $2.9 million in 2018.
鈥淥ur farm has been so fortunate to be part of the 麻豆传媒映画market scene all these years,鈥� said Anna Helmer of Helmers Organic Farm. 鈥淭he winter market in particular has been an important part of our business for the last decade and it鈥檚 wonderful to be able to bring our potatoes to a vibrant market week after week.鈥�
Saturday鈥檚 Riley Park market will feature celebratory birthday treats and speeches starting at 10:30 a.m.
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麻豆传媒映画Winter Farmers Markets 2019-2020 schedule:
Riley Park
4601 Ontario St. & 50 East 30th Ave.
Every Saturday, Nov. 2 to April 25 (closed Dec.28)
10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
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Hastings Park
PNE Fairgrounds
Every Sunday, Nov. 3 to April 26 (closed Dec. 29)
10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
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@JessicaEKerr
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