'The Locals Way' to Spend a Day at the Whistler Farmers Market This Fall

Fall is the perfect season to spend a day at the Whistler Farmers’ Market. The crisp mountain air is welcoming and the vibrant colours surround, while the market offerings remain as abundant as the summertime.

We have put together a few tips on how to spend a day at the Whistler Farmers’ Market this fall – the locals way! Keep reading for all the insider tips and tricks on how to make the most of your day at the Whistler Farmers’ Market.

Enjoy a perfect fall Sunday at the Whistler Farmers’ Market!

Arrive Hungry

The Whistler Farmers’ market has a bounty of on-site hot food vendors with delicious and unique options. So, make sure you arrive hungry!

Whether you crave a yummy pizza from Whistler Wood Fired Pizza, a delicious scallion pancake from Taiwan Bento, a healthy samosa from Nidhi’s Cuisine, a big serving of bibimbap from Awesome Bibimbap, some French cuisine from Folie Crepes & Folie Raclettes or a delicious serving of Okonomiyaki from Jeggs, – there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Dig into a delicious scallion pancake from Taiwan Bento - a local’s favourite!

Have a sweet tooth? Save room for a treat! Enjoy a bag of freshly popped kettle corn from
Sargent Popper’s Kettle Corn or a yummy personal sized ‘pocket pie’ from the Golden Crust. You’ll also find a variety of other yummy baked goods, chocolates, sweet beverages and more.

Plus, all the Whistler Farmers Market food vendors are local to the Whistler area – so you can feel good knowing that you are supporting local which enjoying a delicious meal (or two).

Pre-Plan Your Grocery Needs

Before arriving to the Whistler Farmers’ Market, we recommend planning ahead by creating a grocery list so you can stock up on all the ingredients you need for the upcoming week. Skip the grocery store this fall and support your local farms and small businesses!

From fresh berries and fruit to seasonal produce and ethical meats & fish products, the market has everything you need to stock up your fridge for the week ahead.  

*Locals tip - be sure to check the market vendor lineup before arriving, so that you know who will be on-site when you plan to visit!

Support your local farms this fall. Bring a shopping list to make sure you stock up on all the essentials.

Tick off Your Shopping List

Is your friend’s birthday coming up? Need something to bring to a thanksgiving dinner? The Whistler Farmers’ Market has you covered!

With an abundance of local artists, jewellers, and crafters at the market – there is no shortage of unique, meaningful finds for all your gifting needs… or to simply treat yourself! Art, jewelry, clothing, accessories, craft wine & spirits and home goods – the market really has it all. You may even find treats and creative accessories for your furry family member!

A loved one’s birthday or anniversary coming up? Support the local artists and small businesses by doing your shopping at the Whistler Farmers’ Market!

Bring a Reusable Shopping Bag

Locals tip – bring a reusable bag (or a few) to the market so that you can take home all your goodies in style. Most vendors offer plastic or paper bags in case you forget and need something in a pinch, but we recommend being eco-conscious with your own reusable bag. If you are walking or biking to the market, we recommend a backpack!

Recycle & Reduce Waste

Visit the AWARE Whistler tent at the Whistler Farmers’ Market to properly dispose of your market waste. The Whistler Farmers’ Market has been partnered with AWARE Whistler since 2013 in an effort to reduce market waste.

AWARE is Whistler's environmental charity, working towards a sustainable, resilient community. This means minimizing waste by learning about our local waste streams and how to best compost, recycle and upcycle.

Since working with Aware, the Whistler Farmers Market, on average, diverts 93% of market generated waste from the landfill every year. Make sure to stop by, say hello and learn how to properly dispose of your market generated waste when visiting the market!

Come for an Hour, Stay for the Day

With so much to see, do, taste and smell, an afternoon spent at the market is a treat for all the senses. Give yourself a little extra time to enjoy it all. With over 70 vendors at a regular Sunday market, you’ll want to make sure you have time to browse it all.

Make sure you leave yourself enough time to browse the whole market, which stretches from the Fairmont Chateau all the way through to the Blackcomb Gondola.

Don’t miss the live music, located in the heart of the market on the Upper Village stroll, featuring local musicians and bands.

*Locals tip – ride your bike to the market! Bike racks are located throughout the stroll so you can park it and enjoy a leisurely walk through the stroll.

The Whistler Farmers Market runs every Sunday until October 8th, 2023. PLUS, Saturday, October 7th (bonus market) from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm at the Upper VIllage Stroll.

 The Whistler Farmer’s Market runs from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm every Sunday until October 8th located at the Upper Village Stroll. Plus, don’t miss the EXTRA market on Saturday, October 7th. The market runs across the entire stroll, expanding from the Fairmont Chateau to the Blackcomb Gondola. See you this fall at the Whistler Farmers’ Market!

Make It From the Market: Beetroot, Grapefruit and Ginger Sour with Montis Distilling Alpenglow Gin

This week, we are featuring Montis Distilling. Montis Distilling is a small batch craft distillery based out of Function Junction right here in Whistler, BC. Check out their array of locally distilled spirits and pick up a citrusy Alpenglow Gin for this cocktail at the Whistler Farmers’ Market Sunday, September 26th or October 3rd .

Alpenglow Gin distilled right in beautiful Whistler, BC

Make It From the Market: Beetroot, Grapefruit and Ginger Sour with Montis Distilling Alpenglow Gin

With the fall solstice having come and gone, it felt like time to turn to the warm flavours of autumn. If you’re looking for a new way to use up those fall beets languishing in your vegetable drawer and give you and your friends a healthy buzz this dead season, look no further than this beetroot, grapefruit and ginger sour. 

A quick infusion of Montis Distilling Alpenglow Gin with locally grown beets (try Laughing Crow Organics, Seed to Culture or Lil’wat Farm) and fresh ginger lends this cocktail its stunning bright pink colour as well as its spicy-sweet fall flavour. Balancing out this punchy beetroot, gin and ginger combination with creamy egg whites and tangy grapefruit leads to the perfect balance of flavour on the palate. 

INGREDIENTS

For 2 cocktails:

• ¼ cup of beetroot, grated finely with a microplane

• ½ tsp ginger root, grated finely with a microplane 

• 4 ounces of Montis Distilling Alpenglow Gin 

• 1 ounce of honey

• 3 ounces of grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed juices lend the best flavour– same goes for the lemon or lime juice)

• 1.5 ounces of lemon or lime juice 

• 2 ounces of egg whites (I use 2 egg whites gently separated from their yolk)

• 1 cup of ice to shake, and ice for serving (I like to use king cubes, but regular ice works as well)

Note: You will need a cocktail shaker and a fine mesh strainer for this recipe. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, a clean water bottle or thermos with a lid will do the trick in a pinch. In place of a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth will work.

METHOD

Mix the grated beetroot and ginger with your gin in a small bowl. Let sit a minimum of 5 minutes while you prepare your other ingredients.

In a separate container, mix your citrus juices with the honey until the honey is dissolved.

Strain the beetroot and ginger out of your gin using a fine mesh strainer. You should be left with 4 ounces of bright pink, infused gin.

Look at those layers! Keep reading to learn how to create the perfect egg white foam using the dry shaking technique.

In a boston shaker or makeshift shaker of your choice, combine the infused gin, citrus mixture and egg whites (depending on the size of the shaker, you may have to separate the recipe into 2).

Shake the mixture vigorously for at least 15 seconds. This is called a “dry shake”– if you shake the liquid first before adding ice, you will develop a thicker and creamier egg white foam for your cocktail.

Crack open your shaker, add in your ice, reseal and shake vigorously together for another 30 seconds.

Fill 2 glasses ¾ of the way full with ice or with one king cube in each.

Strain the mixture evenly into each glass, making sure to gently shake out all of the egg white foam.

Garnish as desired– I used a grapefruit twist, making sure to express some of the citrus peel over the top of each cocktail.

Bonus tips: before straining the cocktail into each glass, use a straw to taste your cocktail. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to drinks– if you prefer yours a bit sweeter, add some more honey. If you prefer yours less stiff, add more grapefruit juice. More tart? More lemon or lime. Simply adjust the flavours and shake again to combine. Much like cooking from home, making cocktails at home is super flexible: you can customize this gin sour to your exact palate.

You can also prep a larger batch of the infused gin, citrus-honey syrup and egg whites and drink these all night.

There is no need to save bartending to the professionals.

This cocktail is more involved than cracking open a beer or pouring a gin and tonic, but pulling out your inner mad scientist is worth it for this deep fuchsia gin sour. The soft sweetness of the beetroot and honey are the perfect counterbalance to the spicy ginger and the acidic the grapefruit. Pull out this cocktail for any occasion and you will surely impress even the most seasoned cocktail aficionados with your deft skills. 

You’ll catch Montis Distilling at the market this Sunday, September 26th as well as October 3rd, but you can also check their hours online and visit them at their distillery in Function Junction. Come on down to our fall markets and find new and creative ways to use locally grown or crafted goods each weekend until October 10th, 2021.

Make It From the Market: Tuna Poke Bowl with Creamy Sesame Chilli Sauce

This week we are featuring the delicious seafood available at the Whistler Farmers’ Market from eco-friendly seafood pros GoodFish Seafood Co.. Based out of Vancouver, GoodFish sustainably fishes British Columbia’s coastal waters and sells their catch locally as much as possible to reduce their environmental impact.

This conscientious fishery will be selling high quality seafood at the Whistler Farmers’ Market for the last time on September 12th, so make sure to come on down, show your support and pick up British Columbia’s freshest tuna to make a poke bowl at home this week.

Check out our simple tuna poke bowl recipe below to find out just how easy it is to whip up a great dinner using GoodFish, or ask the boys at the market for their favourite seafood recipe.

Friendly faces and fresh fish at GoodFish Seafood Co.

Make It From the Market: Tuna Poke Bowl with Creamy Sesame Chilli Sauce

At first, tuna poke bowls might seem like an intimidating meal to try your hand at. It turns out that they are deceptively easy to make, nutritious and absolutely delicious. The key to a great poke bowl is sourcing high-quality, sushi grade tuna. Fortunately, you can pick up fresh sushi grade tuna right at the Whistler Farmers’ Market at GoodFish Seafood Co..

My favourite perk of making a tuna poke bowl is that the ingredients are super flexible. Think of this recipe as inspiration and make it your own by choosing your favourite veggies, sauces and crunchy toppings. Make sure to check out our farm stands (Laughing Crow Organics, Mandair Farms, Lil’wat Farm, Seed to Culture, Willowcraft Farm ,Tiny Farms Co) for late season produce to add to your bowls.

INGREDIENTS

Bowls– for 2 people:

• 2 cups steamed Rice

• 1 sheet of nori (dried seaweed sheets), sliced into thin strips– roll it into a tube first for easier cutting

• ½ pound of fresh tuna from GoodFish, cut into cubes

• 1 avocado, sliced 

• ½  cucumber, julienned into thin strips (check Laughing Crow Organics or Seed to Culture)

• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds 

• ½ cup chopped green onions

• ½ cup minced cilantro– if you’re not a cilantro person, try minced basil 

• Fresh chillies to taste, chopped (check Laughing Crow Organics or Seed to Culture)

Sauce: 

• 3 tbsp Infusion Premium Foods sriracha flavour soy sauce, or other soy sauce of your choice 

• 1 tbsp of sambal garlic chilli paste or other hot sauce of your choice– add some minced garlic to the sauce if not using garlic chilli paste (Willowcraft, Seed to Culture and Laughing Crow Organics farms all have amazing garlic)

• 1 tbsp of sriracha

• 1 tbsp lime juice

• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

• 2 tbsp mayo

• Fresh cracked pepper to taste

METHOD

Rinse your rice of choice (I’m using jasmine rice, but sushi rice is also perfect) and cook it as per the instructions for your rice cooker. 

While your rice is cooking, cube the tuna carefully. This is best done with a very sharp knife. Make sure you are cutting against the grain of the fish or you may find that you are tearing the delicate fish into pieces rather than slicing clean chunks. 

Make your sauce by combining soy sauce, sambal, sriracha, lime juice, toasted sesame oil, mayo and pepper together in a small bowl. Taste and adjust the flavours to fit your palate as necessary.

If your sesame seeds aren’t toasted, toast them in a pan over low heat for a few minutes until they become fragrant and begin to darken to a golden-brown colour. 

Slice the nori, cucumber, avocado, chillies, green onions and cilantro. 

Gently stir together the cubed tuna with ½ of your sauce, a sprinkle of the sesame seeds, fresh chillies to taste, and ½ of your fresh herbs. 

Assemble your poke bowl– add a cup of rice to the bottom of the bowl and top with your seasoned tuna and all your remaining fresh veggies and herbs as desired. Sprinkle sesame seeds and nori on top. I like to add some extra sauce to the rice before topping with the tuna poke and other ingredients to make sure the bowl is flavourful throughout. 

It’s as simple as that and ready to enjoy.

Don’t forget you can always tailor your bowls to fit your tastes perfectly. Add mango for sweetness, radishes for a crunch, or kimchi if you can’t live without pickles. Whatever you include, this tuna poke bowl is sure to impress anyone who tries it with layered umami flavours and varied textures in each bite. Packed with fresh veggies, spicy sauce, and tender chunks of tuna, you can enjoy these summery flavours all year round.

If you try out this recipe, make sure to tag @whistlerfarmersmarket on Instagram so we can repost your culinary masterpieces.

Come visit the Whistler Farmers’ Market for our fall dates every Sunday from 10-3 until October 10th at the Whistler Racket Club. There is still plenty of time to shop farm fresh produce and local artisan products in September and October!

Make It From the Market: Spcy Grls Lemongrass Chicken Dumplings and Tangy Dipping Sauce

This week, we are featuring Spcy Grls. Spcy Grls is a company run and owned by Whistler locals Amie Comerford and Kirby Emmett. They have been creating handmade hot sauces, spice mixes, take-home lunch items and dumplings since 2018. With deep local roots, these boss ladies deliver their creative food products to Spcy Grls fans in Whistler every week and are now selling their flavourful sauces all over the world.

Take home some dumplings for dinner at the Whistler Farmers’ Market September 5th, September 19th, and October 3rd, or check out their website for more options to order. 

If crispy, spicy dumplings sound like your jam, keep reading below to learn how easy Spcy Grls’ dumplings are to cook to perfection. For an extra burst of flavour, I’m also giving away the recipe to my family’s secret dumpling dipping sauce.

Spcy Grls Lemongrass Chicken Dumplings and Tangy Dipping Sauce

With school starting up again and chilly fall days looming on the horizon, there is no better quick and delicious meal than some juicy dumplings. Pan fried and served with an herby, spicy dipping sauce, these lemongrass chicken dumplings are the perfect breakfast, lunch or dinner– yes, who says you can’t have dumplings for breakfast! I can’t think of a better way to fuel up for some late-season laps in the bike park.

INGREDIENTS

Dumplings:

• 1 bag of frozen dumplings from Spcy Grls– here I am using the lemongrass chicken flavour

• 2 tbsp of neutral cooking oil 

Sauce:

• 1 tbsp lime juice

• 1 tbsp sambal olek (I use the chilli garlic flavour), or other hot sauce of your choice 

• 3 tbsp of soy sauce (check out Infusion Soy Sauces at the Farmers’ Market)

• 3 tbsp of black Chinese vinegar (substitute with rice wine vinegar or extra lime juice if you don’t have this in your pantry)

• Fresh cracked pepper, to taste 

• 1 large garlic clove, minced (find fresh garlic at the Market at Laughing Crow Organics, Seed to Culture, or Willowcraft Farms)

• ½ cup chopped green onions 

• ¼ cup chopped cilantro 

METHOD

In a non-stick pan, heat up your oil over medium heat. Place the dumplings, still frozen, into the pan.

Fry the dumplings until they form a golden-brown crust on the bottom.

Add enough water to rise about a ⅓ of the way up your dumplings. The amount of water will depend on the size of your pan and how many dumplings you are cooking. Cover the pan and let the dumplings steam– about 6 minutes.

While your dumplings are steaming, assemble the sauce. Simply mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl. Reserve some of the green onions and cilantro for garnishing the dumplings. This sauce is incredibly flexible– start with an equal amount of soy and vinegar, taste, and adjust if you like your sauces more salty or more tangy.

I love spice so I always add extra hot sauce. Add any other ingredients you like. Some great options are toasted sesame oil for some nuttiness, oyster sauce for extra umami, or a sweetener like maple syrup or honey. 

When the water is evaporated, remove the lid from your pan. Let the dumplings continue to cook until your desired level of crispiness is achieved– usually another 1-2 minutes. 

Plate your dumplings– they will be crispy on the bottom and tender and juicy in the center. Sprinkle your reserved cilantro and green onions over the dumplings, and drizzle some of that tangy sauce over top. Add any other toppings you like– I went with extra hot sauce, but you can try sesame seeds for crunch, or sliced cucumber for a burst of freshness. 

Use any leftover sauce for dipping.

ENJOY!

This quick and easy meal only takes about 20 minutes to make, is bursting with flavour and a great way to practice your chopstick skills. If you try out these Spcy Grls dumplings, take a photo and tag @whistlerfarmersmarket and @spcygrls on social media– we love to see what you come up with.

Swing by the Whistler Farmers’ Market at the Racket Club every Sunday until October 10th to visit our friendly vendors and shop local groceries, arts and crafts.

Make It From the Market: Fresh Summer Salad with Citrus Marinated Zucchini Ribbons and Spicy Arugula

This week we’re featuring produce from Laughing Crow Organics, a Certified Organic Vegetable farm located just up Highway 99 in Pemberton, BC. With a passion for sustainable farming practices and giving back to the community, Kerry and Budgie started their farming journey in 2013 with a modest farm and big dreams. Laughing Crow Organics has since grown into a thriving business that provides delicious organic produce to many homes and businesses. Visit Laughing Crow Organics every Sunday at the Whistler Farmers’ Market and be greeted by Kerry’s radiant smile and a cornucopia of delicious veggies.

Kerry and Budgie from Laughing Crow Organics

The Laughing Crow Organics abundance waiting for you at the Whistler Farmers’ Markets!

Introductions have been made, so without further ado–

Fresh Summer Salad with Citrus Marinated Zucchini Ribbons and Spicy Arugula 

Looking for a new way to enjoy zucchini?

It’s zucchini season and the Sea to Sky’s sweetest and freshest squash are abundant at the Whistler Farmers’ Market through till late August. This recipe brightens a simple green salad with a citrusy punch of flavour from tender marinated zucchini ribbons. Use this recipe as a base and add your favourite toppings or adjust the seasoning to your taste– the best part of home cooking is you can make everything exactly how you like it. 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups of zucchini ribbons

• 2-3 cups of arugula or other salad greens of your choice

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

• Juice of half a lemon + additional lemon to taste for dressing the greens

• Zest of one lemon

• 1 teaspoon of sumac

• Handful of blueberries

• Handful of crumbled feta cheese

• Pinch of chilli flakes

• 1 clove of minced garlic

• Salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste

• Any other ingredients you would like to add!

Method

Wash then cut off the tops and ends off of your zucchinis. Use a vegetable peeler or mandolin to create long, thin strips of zucchini, totaling about 2 cups of ribbons– we used a yellow and a green zucchini for a range of colour. 

Put the zucchini into a bowl and use a fine grater to zest one lemon into the zucchini. Add the juice of half the lemon, a drizzle of olive oil, a splash of apple cider vinegar, a generous amount of freshly cracked pepper, and a pinch or two of salt to taste. 

Add other flavourings you love to the zucchini. Here I used a clove of freshly minced garlic and some sumac for its punchy citrus flavour. Other good options could be maple syrup for sweetness (we recommend sourcing from Maples Sugar Shack at the market), fresh herbs like dill, parsley or basil from the market or your garden, or thinly sliced red onion! 

Toss the zucchini well to combine and let sit for five minutes to absorb the flavours. 

While your zucchini ribbons are marinating, plate your greens! Here we are using spicy arugula and spinach mix.

Lightly season your greens with a squeeze of lemon juice, a bit of olive oil, freshly cracked pepper and a sprinkle of salt. The market veggies are so fresh and tasty we like to keep the seasoning profile simple and let the produce’s natural and subtle flavours shine through. 

Top your greens with the zucchini ribbons– add any of the remaining juices from the marinated zucchini to your salad for a more flavourful dressing.

You’re almost done with this simple, vibrant salad! Get creative and top your salad with any other ingredients you love. We chose to add some crumbled goat feta, chilli flakes and local blueberries (find blueberries at the market too! Try Mandair Farms, Hare’s Organic or AIG Produce) for a pop of sweetness in each bite. You could also add other veggies, capers, roasted nuts for crunch, or a protein of your choice like chickpeas, tofu or salmon to make this summer salad a quick and easy lunch or dinner! 

Enjoy!

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @whistlerfarmersmarket for up to date information on who will be at the market each week, more recipes and market giveaways.

Please tag us @whistlerfarmersmarket or send us photos (on Instagram or by email: management@whistlerfarmersmarket.org) if you make this salad– we’d love to share your creations!

visit The Whistler farmerss market every sunday until october 10, 2021 at the whistler racket club. See you there!

5 Dishes That Will Spice Up Your Thanksgiving Dinner

We are reaching the tail end of our Farmers’ Market season; only two markets left but the offerings of produce are not slowing down! With a change of season brings hearty root vegetables, bursting with flavour and in their peak season! The harvest has been plentiful this season and it’s time to think about what you will be bringing to the table for Thanksgiving.

Feeling bored with the usual mashed potatoes and green bean recipes? We’ve compiled a list of our favourite unconventional side dishes for you to try. The best part? They all use produce that you can find at our Fall markets!

Orange glazed butternut squash and brussels sprouts with pecans

These tried and true roasted veggies got a delicious makeover. A sweet and savoury combo of orange zest, dried cranberries, and peppery pecans earns an A+ in our books.

Photo and recipe from https://heartbeetkitchen.com/2013/recipes/orange-glazed-brussels-sprouts-butternut-squash/

The combination of sweetness from the squash and layers from the brussels sprouts provide a great textural base for this dish. You can find crisp brussels sprouts from our farmers at Laughing Crow Organics and squash at Plenty Wild Farms.

Find the recipe here.

Pumpkin and winter squash Gratin

Say hello to the ultimate fall comfort food. Tender veggies baked in a gooey cheese sauce with a crunchy topping? Sign us up!

Photo and recipe from https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/pumpkin-winter-squash-gratin-recipe

Keep an eye out for these ingredients from any of our produce farmers!

Find the recipe here.

Roasted Beet & Kale salad

This colourful salad is a welcome addition to any dinner table. Roasting the vegetables beforehand lends itself to a deeper flavour profile - experiment with other market produce too if you’d like!

Photo and recipe from http://www.viktoriastable.com/roasted-beets-and-kale-salad-with-horseradish-crema/

You can find various types of kale from our farmers in the shades of purple and green. Try mixing it up for colour and interest on the plate!

Find the recipe here.

Roasted Vegetable Galette

Galettes are an eye-catching dish that happen to be deceivingly easy. Load this up with your favourite market vegetables, and sprinkle some goat cheese on top to finish it off!

Photo and recipe from http://www.cookyourdream.com/2011/03/roasted-vegetable-galette.html

Roasted carrots, heirloom tomatoes, winter and butternut squash are all on offer from our farmers and complement each other nicely in this dish. Be sure to look for them at Seed to Culture!

Find the recipe here.

Apple Pecan Stuffing

We all love stuffing, and this take on a classic is sure to impress. Loaded with apples, crunchy pecans, and fresh herbs, this dish packs a whole lot of flavour.

Photo and recipe from https://www.homemadeinterest.com/apple-pecan-stuffing/

You can find crisp apples at Seed to Culture and over six varieties at Willowcraft Farm!

Find the recipe here.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to try new recipes and share them with friends and family. Let us know if you tried any of our favourites this year! With only two markets left, make sure you come on down to the SLCC between 11 and 4 this Sunday!

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday from the WFM team!

Fall in Whistler: What to Expect From Our Markets

Don your sweatpants and grab your Pumpkin Spiced Lattes, because Fall is here! The weather might be forecasted to change (after this week of beautiful sunshine we’ve been blessed with!) but the Whistler Farmers’ Markets are not slowing down just yet. Here’s what you can expect heading into the cooler season. 

New Vendors!

This month we are seeing a new vendor grace our walkway as well as many returning favourites.

Photo sourced from Fox & Ivy Instagram @foxandivycreations

Fox & Ivy

Fox and Ivy are returning this season to help you prepare for the snowy times ahead. You can find toques, cuddlies and blankets for the whole family!

** Fox & Ivy will be visiting on September 6th & October 11th.

delicious Produce

Crunchy red and green apples at WillowCraft Farms.

Seasonal Veg

Our farmers are not slowing down on produce. With Fall comes hearty vegetables and staple crops perfect for seasonal salads, stews and soups! You’ll find a plethora of healthy greens such as broccolis, kale, cabbages and chard in all sorts of varieties at all of our farmers’ stalls.

Seasonal Produce at Laughing Crow Organics.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start experimenting with tasty vegetable side dishes! Great for roasting, you’ll find potatoes, zucchinis, turnips, leeks and squash towards the end of the month at Plenty Wild Farms & Laughing Crow Organics! Here are some great examples of side dish recipes that can help you maximize the flavour of your produce, complement your roast dinners, or eat by themselves this rainy season. For a full list of what’s on offer, see here.

The Last of the summer Fruits

Fresh Cantaloupe at AIG Produce Osoyoos.

We have the last of the Summer Bounty! You can find fresh watermelon, tasty cantaloupes, and tomatoes at AIG Produce Osoyoos & Laughing Crow Organics. Green and red apples are ripe for the picking at WillowCraft & Seed to Culture. Crisp and Juicy, they are the perfect compliment to add crunch to a salad or eat alone! 

Herbs & Seasonings

Winter Squash ready at Plenty Wild Farms!

Aside from the staples, our farmers have the perfect items to put the final touches on your meals. Plenty Wild Farms & Seed to Culture have a selection of basil, cilantro, parsley and thyme that can all be used as great seasonings in cooking. You can find out how to maximize their uses here.

Flavour enhancing herbs at Seed to Culture!

Onions and shallots are great for enhancing flavour in many meals, and are a staple at our farmers’ stalls. By sautéing garlic or ginger with onions, shallots and carrots you can create a depth of flavour that serves as an aromatic base for sauces, curries, stir fries and soups.

Perfect for the colder months, ginger has also been shown to help fight flu and improve digestion. So if you have extra, consider adding some water and lemon and making your own detoxifying ginger tea! You can find it at Seed To Culture.

With only five markets left, be sure to pop by for the last of the seasonal produce direct from the farmers! The Whistler Farmers markets will be open at the SLCC between 11am and 4pm this Sunday and all Sundays until the 11th of October!

Whistler Farmers Market August 2020. Photo by Deann Palmer.

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5 Fruity Desserts to Celebrate Summer

Summer may be wrapping up in the Sea to Sky, but our farmers have no shortage of fresh fruit for the markets! Blueberries and peaches in particular are in their peak season right now, so we’ve done some research and put together some of our favourite summer dessert recipes that incorporate these tasty fruits.

Pavlova

This tasty New Zealand dessert is made up of a light and fluffy meringue base topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit of your choosing. Need we say more?

Photo and recipe from https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/pavlova/

Find the recipe here.

Peach Cobbler

This classic baked dish is irresistible when served warm with a scoop of ice cream. Stick to peaches or mix it up with some different fruits!

Photo and recipe from https://pinchofyum.com/peach-cobbler

Find the recipe here.

Summer Fruit Tart

This eye-catching dish is sure to impress - and it is deceivingly easy!

Photo and recipe from https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a32896550/fruit-tart-recipe/

Find the recipe here.

Blueberry Peach Galette

For the pie lovers of the world, galettes are the easier alternative to get your crust fix. The more imperfect and rustic the cinnamon sugar crust, the better.

Photo and recipe from https://www.howsweeteats.com/2020/07/blueberry-peach-galette/

Find the recipe here.

Grilled Angel Food Cake with Fresh Fruit

If you’re craving something sweet that’s on the lighter side, this recipe is a great option. Angel food cake is grilled and topped with whatever goodies you’d like. So easy!

Photo and recipe from https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/grilled-angel-food-cake-with-strawberries/

Find the recipe here.

So, where can you buy these delicious fruits? We have two awesome fruit vendors at our Sunday markets. Mandair Farms and AIG Produce Osoyoos impress us each week with their plentiful displays of gorgeous fruits - not limited to strawberries! We are also excited to have Hare’s Farm selling organic blueberries, and Playlist Lavender with their delicious peaches. Check them out at our market this Sunday, from 11am - 4pm at the SLCC!

Did you try one of these recipes? Tag us on Instagram or use #WhistlerFarmersMarket in your posts - we’d love to see what you create!

Why Buy Produce at the Whistler Farmers’ Market?

There is no denying that the impacts of COVID-19 have been far reaching, and the ramifications have been particularly tough on our local farmers. Now is the time to be supporting local growers and focusing on what we can do for each other within our communities. Here are our reasons why supporting our local farmers at the Whistler Farmers’ Market is good for us all!

Peak Flavour. Peak Freshness.

Herbs, vegetables and salad greens! PLENTY WILD FARMS provides nutritious seasonal vegetables grown on their small scale Certified Organic Farm in the Pemberton Valley.

Our farmers always choose the freshest produce to bring to you, when fruits and vegetables are in the peak of the growing season! Produce travelling directly from our Pemberton, Lilloet and Abbortsford farms can be picked right up to the day before it is purchased, allowing it to remain on the vine for as long as possible instead of ripening during transport. This means you consume your food when it’s the most flavourful and nutritious!

Help The Environment

Locally grown produce requires significantly less fuel consumption than supermarket goods being transported from around the world. However, if you buy locally farmed produce, you are reducing your food kilometres. The produce sold at the Whistler Farmers’ Market travels as little as 35km and at most 190km to get from the farm to the stall. In contrast, the average North American meal travels 2400km from field to plate. The travel time of these imported foods requires a substantial amount of fossil fuels. By incorporating a field to plate approach into your lifestyle, you are reducing the need to transport food from elsewhere, thereby reducing the carbon footprints of yourself and of your community. 

(Pictured above: Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries galore! Mandair Farms always has amazing fresh fruit in stock!)

Our farmers pride themselves on delivering sustainably farmed food and do away with excessive packaging and plastic that is common for large retailers. This keeps our wildlife and ecosystems happy and keeps plastic out of the ocean. You can help by bringing your reusable shopping bags!

Support the Community

Especially in this year’s difficult season, farmers’ markets play a large role in the survival of small farms. The Whistler Farmers’ Market provides you access to fresh, tasty produce grown close to your neighbourhood. Supporting your local farmers helps the community by keeping the money you spend on food closer to your neighbourhood. When you make a purchase at the market, you are directly supporting the Pemberton, Lilloet and Abbortsford farmers that create the goods you enjoy.

LAUGHING CROW ORGANICS bring to you over 40 different vegetables and beautiful flower bouquets grown at their Certified Organic Farm in Pemberton.

So come down and help strengthen our local economy, and get to know who grows your food while you’re at it. Our farmers are always keen to share their recipes and offer advice on how to get the most from your produce. Just ask!

Want to get involved (and grab some delicious produce while you’re at it)?

Join us each week at the market! You can meet and support our farmers every Sunday from 11am- 4pm until Oct 11, 2020 at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.

To find out which awesome vendors will be at the market each week, follow us on Facebook or Instagram, as we update weekly with our rotating list of vendors so you’ll know exactly who to look out for!

Kombucha: What You Need to Know

Kombucha has been around for a long time, especially in the Far East where it originated some 2000 years ago. Kombucha is a fermented drink which offers several health benefits.

At the Whistler Farmers Market, we have two great kombucha vendors; Spark Kombucha based in Squamish and Whistler Elixir based in Whistler. Check out our market maps to see when these kombucha vendors will be at the Whistler Farmers Market. 

What is Kombucha?

Photo via @sparkkombucha

Kombucha is a fermented tea made from black tea and sugar from fruit, honey or sugar, although it can also be made with green tea. The beverage contains a high degree of healthy bacteria and yeast as it’s made through fermentation. Kombucha becomes carbonated after fermentation takes place with a high concentration of acetic, gluconic and lactic acids, probiotics, and vinegar. A Symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) is used to kick-start the fermentation process. Kombucha offers a wide range of health benefits and is a refreshing drink. Here are some of the benefits of kombucha

Can Protect Against Several Diseases

Research shows that kombucha is loaded with a large number of antioxidants which can protect the body against free radicals and diseases. Antioxidants help fight inflammation, a major risk factor for several diseases including depression, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's, Crohn's and others. Kombucha also helps detoxify the body.

The process of fermentation helps synthesize antioxidants which are not present in black tea naturally.

Rich in Gut-Friendly Probiotics

Kombucha is known to be an excellent beverage for improving digestion due to its high probiotic content. Kombucha is also rich in enzymes, amino acids, and acids which are beneficial to the digestive system.

Studies, like this one, demonstrate that kombucha can help prevent and heal stomach ulcers. It’s also known to help control candida infections and promote the growth of healthy gut microbiome, improve digestion, prevent inflammation, and even enhance weight loss.

Promotes Mental Health

Kombucha is rich in vitamin B12, a compound which is an excellent energizer and mental function booster. Also, kombucha can help optimize mental health by improving your gut health. The gut is intricately connected to the brain via an extensive neural network. If the gut is unhealthy, the brain also suffers. By helping to keep the gut healthy and functional, kombucha helps prevent inflammation and leaky gut syndrome, two disorders which are known to cause depression and impair mental health.

Potent Antibacterial Powers

Photo via @whistler_elixir

Kombucha is densely packed with bacteria which can help fight the bad microbiome in the gut. Lab studies have found that kombucha can kill off E. coli. and some strains of salmonella and other harmful bacteria which cause food poisoning and other health issues.

Promotes Liver and Cardiovascular Health

The results of some studies suggest that kombucha may be able to prevent damage to the liver through its detoxification abilities. Animal studies have also found that kombucha may help promote cardiovascular health by lowering the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol.

May be Beneficial for Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Photo via @sparkkombucha

Studies in animal models suggest that kombucha can help reduce blood sugar levels in people living with type 2 diabetes by slowing down the digestion of carbs. It has also been found to enhance kidney function. Scientists believe that green tea-based kombucha may provide more benefits for diabetes patients as it has natural blood sugar regulating abilities.

Be sure to grab a cup or fill a growler from one of our kombucha vendors next time you're at the Whistler Farmers Market. Your gut will thank you!