Sunday, September 26, 2010

Farmers Market ~ Stuart Wood ~ Victoria St. ~ Northshore ~ Kamloops, BC

Kamloops, BC is one of the lucky ones, we have a Farmers Market three times a week through the season!  One happens on Wednesday, Friday evening and every Saturday morning.  Saturday’s Farmers Market begins bright and early between mid April and the end of October, you will find the local farmers, bakers and craftspeople setting up ‘shop’ for their big day.


Stuart Wood School, Kamloops, BC
The Saturday Farmers Market is held in front of the Stuart Wood Elementary School on the street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue as well as on the school grounds. This school opened in 1907, which was only 7 years earlier than the first Farmers Market, which was set up by the city council, but I don’t believe it was held here at the time !

The Farmers Market was closed down due to lack of interest after WW 1 but began again in 1978 and has been going strong ever since. I do believe it has been at this locations since then. There is a lot more information including recipes available on their webpage so clik here for more.


Farmers Market, St. Paul St., Kamloops, BC

It doesn’t take long and the shoppers are here and doing their shopping to enjoy the freshest of produce and baked goods.  There is just something great about shopping at the Farmers Market.  In season fruits and veggies are always a favorite.

 
Farmers Market, Kamloops, BC
Home producers as well as farmers bring their products to market here.  There are baked goods and specialty items like salsa, dog treats, and locally made noodles.  Bedding plants and dairy products, teas and coffee.  There is a big range of quality products available to everyone.  They are there from 8am to 2pm mid April to the end of October.

 
Music plays for the Farmers Market, Kamloops, BC
There are several artisans, home based businesses and community stalls here for your shopping pleasure, too.  Most of these display tents are parked on the school grounds and the music for one and all to enjoy plays from the corner of the school playground.

 
 Artisans, Home Based Businesses, Community Stalls, Kamloops, BC
The Farmers Market is a non-profit society that offers bursaries to three students who are enrolled in either horticulture or agriculture courses every year.  They also support the local Food Bank, so our support of the Farmers Market, also helps others.  It’s a win-win.

Farmers Market, Victoria St., Kamloops, BC

On Wednesdays you can wander down Victoria St. between 4th and 5th Ave. and find booths set up for more shopping. There is a smaller group here, but several that make the trip worth it. The sell crafts and jewelry, local organic produce and fresh fish. This market is open 8am to 2pm from the end of April to the end of October.


Farmers Market, Kamloops, BC

One more Farmers Market happens on the North Shore on Fridays from 3:30pm to 9pm, (although another source said it was 4pm to 8pm). It is located at the new Spirit Square, which is on McDonald Ave and King near Holway Ave. You’ll find produce, eggs, coffee, crafts and hanging baskets. This is a new market and with our support will surely grow over the years, too. Their year ends October 1, clik here to check out the NSBIA webpage for the hours next spring.

Local merchants always appreciate the support we give to them, not just in the summer time, many have products available year round. So let’s do our best to support those that work hard and offer us the results of their hard work, especially when it so available to us! This is one of the reasons we love Kamloops, there is just no place like home.