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What to do in Vancouver: Kerrisdale Farmers Market

What to do in Vancouver: Kerrisdale Farmers Market

local food, what to do in vancouver, where to shop in vancouver

Looking for a relaxed way to eat local? Jo Ramsay says the Kerrisdale Farmers Market is what to do in Vancouver.

Not being a farmers’ market aficionado I arrived at the Kerrisdale Farmers Market nervously braced to elbow my way through hoards of salivating foodies in order to nab the best pickings of organic kale or some other vegetable that I would struggle to identify.  The thought was rather intimidating – even if I was to score the prized veg I wouldn’t really know what to do with it.  The best I could hope for would be a kindly farmer taking pity on me and offering a few recipes.  Fortunately, in reality the experience was far more laid back, pleasant and enjoyable.  Amidst the tiny cluster of unassuming stalls that form the market I found plenty to tickle the taste buds of my whole family.  Robyn Carlson the Market Co-ordinator did admit that some of the larger markets can get rather “competitive”. When she said that Kerrisdale’s relaxed vibe was great for novice stallholders and shoppers alike, she was spot on.

Plenty of Local Treats

what to do in vancouver kerrisdale farmers marketDespite only being in its second season the small market boasts a vast array of delicious and innovative local treats to enjoy. For great local food this is what do in Vancouver, from the ‘Tipsy Jill’ cheese by Little Qualicum Cheeseworks, which is infused with their own blackberry wine, to zingy gluten free pates from Pate Pastiche, to divine apple juices from Jobst Hof orchard and table upon table of the sweetest, tastiest strawberries and blueberries I have ever eaten (our large basket was devoured before we left the market). Though on the other hand I did have an ill-advised taste of a blue cheese flavoured chocolate. You can’t win them all I suppose.

It’s not just food, at the market. There is a busking spot which kept the kids entertained, craft stalls and great touches such as Market Money. If you forget to bring cash you can use your debit card at the information point in exchange for tokens, or the tokens can make a great gift.

Keeping it in the Family is What to do in Vancouver

what to do in vancouver kerrisdale farmers market Most of the stalls are family run and everyone has an interesting story, from Dan at Rain City Soups whose arm is tattooed with soup ingredients and one of his best selling recipes helped him woo his girlfriend, to Pat from A Bread Affair who can tell you exactly where every single ingredient he uses is from, down to the exact mile.  Luckily for me they all also have plenty of easy and delicious recipes for their produce that they are more than happy to share.

A regular at these markets gave me a great tip off to try the food at Le Tigre food cart (the market has space for two carts).  Run by chefs Clement Chan and Steve Kuan, both classically trained in French and Italian cuisine but serving up absolutely unbeatable modern Chinese dishes cooked from scratch, it is an experience not to be missed.  The steamed pulled pork bun and ‘kick ass rice’ flavoured with Asian spices and topped with pork belly and a poached egg were, to use a very Vancouverite phrase, awesome.

See Also

We left with bellies happily full of amazing local produce, laden with delicious French bread, creamy chilli topped Salt Spring Island goat’s cheese, yet more blueberries and with plans to enjoy both with a nice glass of wine on a warm summer’s evening, no cooking required.  What a great answer for what to do in Vancouver on a sunny Saturday.

Kerrisdale Farmers Market

www.eatlocal.org  https://twitter.com/vanmarkets  https://www.facebook.com/vanmarkets
East Boulevard between 37th and 41st Avenue, Vancouver
Saturdays, June 15 – October 12, 2013, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

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