Tomatoes, soap, and macrame
You still have a few weeks left to enjoy Fraser Valley’s farmers markets, filled with fresh local produce and artisan products. Just be sure to bring a face mask and show up early if you want first dibs on the freshest lettuce you’ve ever tasted.
Mission City Farmers Market: Running every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Oct. 3 in downtown Mission, in the parking lot between the post office and museum. With produce stands, fresh eggs, locally roasted coffee, baked goods, macrame plant hangers, decorative succulents, and homemade artisan soap and cheese, this little farmers market has everything you could want and more.
Fort Langley Village Farmers Market: Running every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Oct. 31 in the heart of historic Fort Langley. This market features an abundance of fresh produce from various local farms, the most beautiful bouquets of flowers, baked goods including delicious pies, natural beauty products, and jars upon jars of jams and pickles. Definitely worth a visit.
Abbotsford Farm and Country Market: Running every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Jubilee Park until Oct. 31. This lively farmers market is home to a bounty of locally sourced produce, stunning hand-made jewelry, natural skincare products, delicious baked goods, and delightful knitted masterpieces. So whether you need cilantro or a jade necklace, this is the place to get it.
Yarrow Farm Market: Yarrow’s market strays a little from the pack as it is open on Friday nights instead of Saturday mornings. You can visit this market in Pioneer Park every Friday from 5 p.m. until dusk until Sept. 25. This market is also unique in that there is an abundance of food trucks to enjoy, and it is much more artisan-focused than produce-focused. So munch on some gourmet mac & cheese and sip some locally brewed beer while perusing macrame planters and beaded jewelry.
It is more important than ever to support small and independent farms and businesses. While already-bloated corporations such as Amazon, Netflix, and supermarket chains have prospered during the pandemic, small businesses — especially brick-and-mortar ones — have suffered. They face the disadvantage of having to shut their doors during lock-downs and having fewer customers due to social distancing rules. Shopping at local markets funnels your money back into your own community, rather than the bank account of a billionaire.
Image: Andrea Sadowski/The Cascade
Andrea Sadowski is working towards her BA in Global Development Studies, with a minor in anthropology and Mennonite studies. When she's not sitting in front of her computer, Andrea enjoys climbing mountains, sleeping outside, cooking delicious plant-based food, talking to animals, and dismantling the patriarchy.
