Account Login/Registration

Access KelownaNow using your Facebook account, or by entering your information below.


Facebook


OR


Register

Privacy Policy

BC Farmer’s Markets Strive to Make Healthy, Strong Communities

Does a healthy community make for a great farmer's market, or does a great farmer's market make for a healthy community?

This was one of the questions examined during the Nourish and Flourish Conference held in Kelowna March 4th through 6th.

The BC Association of Farmers Markets (BCAFM) held their annual conference, inviting over 100 farmer’s market organizers, farmers, food producers, and community leaders to explore how healthy farmers markets can help to make healthy communities.

<who> Photo Credit: KelownaNow </who> The Nourish and Flourish Convention in Kelowna.

Discussion around the role farmer’s markets play in forming a healthy and strong community was at the forefront of an afternoon session. Three representatives from different farmer market communities spoke on innovations and initiatives happening at markets around the world, and what their impact on communities is.

Vade Donaldson, a member of the Washington State Farmers Market Association said not only do farmer’s markets offer health benefits physically, they are also shown to build a healthy community socially. Donaldson said community farmer’s markets give people will often spend less time on their phone at farmer’s markets, embracing the social components that markets offer.

<who> Kelowna Farmers Market/ Facebook </who> The outdoor farmer's market in Kelowna.

In B.C., farmer’s markets contribute significantly to the local economy. According to a 2012 Economic Benefits study by the BCAFM, nearly $170 million annually is injected into the local economy.

“Many of our 125 member farmers’ markets are extending their reach beyond the market, to serve as community hubs where issues of healthy eating, food supply, and sustainability can be tackled,” said BCAFM Executive Director, Elizabeth Quinn.

<who> Kelowna Farmer's Market/ Facebook

“Farmers’ markets, big and small, support healthy local economies, by bolstering small business development and keeping dollars within the community. In the past year, farmers’ markets sales have increased by 11 per cent in B.C.”

In the Okanagan, the Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafter’s Market runs all year round, offering the public both indoor and outdoor venues. During the winter months, the market operates out of the Parkinson Recreation Centre.

Beginning in April, the Kelowna Farmers’ Market ventures outside, set up on the corner of Springfield Road and Dilworth Drive. The market offers over 165 vendors that offer locally produced fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, artisan baking, and handcrafted pottery, jewellery, woodwork, and soaps.



If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.

If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.


Weather
webcam icon

weather-icon
Fri
12℃

weather-icon
Sat
12℃

weather-icon
Sun
14℃

weather-icon
Mon
16℃

weather-icon
Tue
20℃

weather-icon
Wed
11℃

current feed webcam icon

Recent Livestream




Top Stories

Follow Us

Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Linkedin Follow us on Youtube Listen on Soundcloud Follow Our TikTok Feed Follow Our RSS Follow Our pinterest Feed
Follow Our Newsletter
Privacy Policy