Gulf Island Farmer’s Markets

July is one of the most fruitful (pun intended!) months for fresh fruits and vegetables, so every week during the summer there are markets that pop up across the Gulf Islands, and on the Saanich Peninsula.

Farmer’s Markets are a wonderful way to connect with the community, find new recipes, and shake hands with the farmers who grow your food. On Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, the climate is very moderate, which enables farmers to grow a wide variety of produce ranging from apples and eggplants, to figs and kiwis. By buying local foods, you can be ensured that your fruits and veggies are fresh, harvested sustainably, and tastier than those that have travelled across the world to reach the shelves of your Supermarket. At these markets, you can also expect homemade foods, local wine, cider and beer, arts & crafts, and live music!

Check out our list below to see when the local markets are, and what type of produce you can expect!

Where are the Markets?

• Sidney Street Market (Thursday evenings from June to August, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Beacon Avenue, Sidney B.C.)
• Saltspring Saturday Market (Saturday mornings from April to October, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Oceanside at Centennial Park in the heart of Ganges)
• Galiano Saturday Market (Saturday mornings from May to October, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – 922 Burrill Road)
• Pender Island Farmer’s Market (Saturday mornings from April to October, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Privateers Road)
• Saturna Island Saturday Market (Saturday morning from July to August, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – 101 Narvaez Bay)

What’s in Season?

January: Apples, beets, cabbage, carrots, garlic, holly, kiwis, leeks, microgreens, parsnips, potatoes, rutabagas, turnip

February: Apples, Leeks, microgreens, parsnips, potatoes

March: Apples, fruit trees, leeks, peppers

April: Cauliflower, fruit trees, herbs, lettuce, peppers, rhubarb, tomatoes

May: Asparagus, beans, cauliflower, celery, fruit trees, herbs, kale, lettuce, peppers, rhubarb, spinach, swiss chard, tomatoes

June: Asparagus, beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cherries, currants, garlic, herbs, kale, lettuce, peas, potatoes, rhubarb, salad greens, spinach, squash, strawberries, swiss chard, turnips, zucchini

July: Apples, beets, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cherries, corn, cucumbers, currants, figs, garlic, herbs, josta berries, kale, lettuce, loganberries, marionberries, melons, onions, peas, potatoes, raspberries, rhubarb, saskatoon berries, spinach, squash, strawberries, swiss chard, turnip, zucchini

August: Apples, beets, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn, crabapples, cucumbers, eggplant, figs, garlic, gourds, grapes, herbs, kale, lettuce, loganberries, marionberries, melons, onions, peaches, pears, plums, potatoes, raspberries, squash, strawberries, tayberries, turnip, zucchini

September: Apples, beets, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn, cranberries, cucumbers, eggplant, figs, garlic, gourds, grapes, herbs, kale, leeks, lettuce, melons, onions, parsnips, peaches, pears, plums, potatoes, pumpkins, rutabagas, shallots, squash, strawberries, turnip, zucchini

October: Beans, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn, crabapples, cranberries, eggplant, figs, garlic, gourds, grapes, kale, kiwi, leeks, parsnips, pears, potatoes, pumpkins, quince, rutabagas, shallots, squash, turnip, zucchini

November: Beets, brussel sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, gourds, kale, kiwi, leeks, onions, pumpkins, shallots, squash, turnip

December: Beets, brussel sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, holly, kale, kiwi, onions, potatoes, rutabagas, squash, turnip

What are your favourite recipes using fresh, local produce? Share in the comments!