One of the good things that has come from the COVID-19 pandemic is the increased awareness and desire to support local small business.
And one of the surest sources of local small business is the community farmers market!
Fortunately, the North Shore is blessed with two popular farmers markets: Lonsdale Artisan Farmers’ Market that operates every Saturday at Lonsdale Quay, and Ambleside Artisan Farmers’ Market that happens on Sundays at Ambleside Park. Both markets are directed by the Artisan Farmers’ Market Society who also run two markets in Burnaby.
Earlier in the pandemic, before health and safety guidelines were defined, the Society faced the uncertainty of being able to open their markets this season. However, within a short time, farmers markets were declared an essential service. This allowed Artisan to open with similar health and safety guidelines to grocery stores, except with a fresh air experience!
One of the beauties of these local markets is that you’ll often meet and speak directly with the people who are growing, baking and making your food and other products. You can ask them about their growing practices, the product ingredients, and the best way to prepare or use the products.
The markets feature small start-up and more established local businesses from all over B.C. Here are a few of the wonderful vendors with ties to the North Shore that you can meet at the market this summer
Little by Little Farms
Pablo and Karla Wilkinson are passionate about sustainable farming and operate Little by Little Farms, based in Aldergrove. Raised in North Vancouver, Pablo gained an appreciation early on for good food. He learned about how food is grown and to value the taste of fresh produce from his grandparents, Hazel and Jack. Having spent years learning organic and sustainable farming practices, Pablo and Karla decided to start Little by Little Farms in 2016. Believing in the importance of safe, healthy food, they do not use chemical pesticides or fertilizers. This season, Little by Little Farms is offering a delicious selection of produce including arugula, micro greens, carrots, tomatoes, baby kale and more!
Bad Dog Bread
Bad Dog Bread has become a favourite at all the Artisan Farmers’ Markets. Based out of their North Vancouver location at 1600 Mackay Road, owner Vadim Mugerman not only bakes a wide variety of tasty baked goods, but he even mills his own flour!
Market customers are advised to get to the market early because Bad Dog usually sells out of their locally handcrafted organic bread and pastries very quickly, especially their delicious cinnamon buns, brioche buns and mouth-watering cookies. Yum, Yum!
Coconama Chocolate
Coconama Chocolate is another local gem that can be found at the North Shore markets. Takanori Chiwata is the owner and chocolate engineer at Coconama and his mission is to connect people with chocolate. Chiwata has a fascinating background as a chocolate researcher in Japan but finds great joy in interacting with customers and providing a fantastic chocolate that people love to savour. You can enjoy Coconama’s delectable gluten- and nut-free creations like the melt-in-your-mouth ganache truffles at the weekly markets and also at their store located on First Avenue East in North Van.
Bob the Dog
Named after their own dog, Bob, Bob the Dog is another North Vancouver-based business that supplies all sorts of treats and accessories for dogs. Each one of their leashes, bandanas, and toys are handmade and sure to be a hit with your beloved four-legged friend. Business owner Carra Hodgson joined Artisan Markets in 2018 and quickly gained many repeat North Shore customers.
Whichever Artisan Farmers’ Market you choose to attend, you’ll be supporting small businesses based in B.C. and on the North Shore. May through October, you can shop at Lonsdale Farmers’ Market on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the East Plaza next to Lonsdale Quay. Ambleside Farmers’ Market is open on Sundays, also from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and you’ll find it in at the west end of Ambleside Park in West Vancouver.
For maps and more information visit ArtisanMarkets.ca.
This article was produced for summertime Explore the Shore feature of the North Shore News.
