Our Top 10 Chard Recipes

In the kingdom of leafy greens, the chard is one of the most nutritious and versatile vegetables on the planet. And not only is Swiss chard packed with nutrition, but it’s also flavourful, earthy, and perfect for a wide range of recipes.

We have some amazing farm vendors selling this leafy green at the Whistler Farmers Market. If you are ready to up your veggie game, here is a list of our top chard recipes.

Tomato Vinaigrette and Chard-Stuffed Trout

This is one of the best recipes on this list. To make your work easier, you can make the tomato vinaigrette in advance. Trout fillets work fine if you can’t find small butterflied trout, but make sure to add the chard mixture when baking. If you can find the butterflied trout, all you have to do is stuff the fish with a mixture of chard, and sweet bell pepper. The fish bakes nicely, leaving a moist, delicate and yummy dish to savor.

Sweet Potato and Chard Salad

This dish is super easy and delicious. It’s a one-pot dish that cooks in no time. Pair with chicken or turkey to make a fast supper or dinner.

Lemon-Garlic Swiss Chard

A savory side dish that’s packed with fibre, vitamins, minerals and a delightful taste you are going to love. Serve with seared scallops or steak to enjoy. Plus, it’s easy and fast to cook.

Shaved Fennel and Wilted Chard Salad

We all love our salad variegated and fresh. This recipe makes for a nice dish. Enjoy the delicate taste of fennel paired with rainbow chard. If the taste of fennel isn’t your thing, you can sub the aromatic seed for shaved red onion.

Charred Chard and Shallots with Golden Raisins

For this recipe, you are going to use the stems and leaves of the chard plant. You sauté the chard in olive oil and add to a grilled cheese sandwich or chop and add to your omelet. Top with golden raisins. Add crumbled feta and chickpeas if you wish to make it a vegetarian meal.

Wilted Chard with Pine Nuts and Red Onion

You also need the stems for this dish. Slice the stems into thin strips and sauté before adding the leaves. Add your red onion and pine nuts to make a filling and yummy dish. Add just a little salt as chard is high in natural sodium.

Almond Garlic Swiss Chard

This dish is a yummy delight you can try anytime. You are keeping the stems and leaves as well. When sautéed, chard stems have a delightful texture. Add some color by using rainbow chard.

Swiss Chard with Honey, Artichokes, and Braised Veal Shank

For this treat, brown the shank on the stove, then baste with honey and bake to an iridescent glaze. What you get is a spectacular honeyed shank in bright amber colour. The chard and bitter artichokes help to counterbalance the sweet taste of honey.

Soup

Chard makes a great addition to any soup. Add to your barley, rice, lentils, minestrone, or vegetable to make a nutritious and super-fortified soup.

Chard Quiche

Instead of the regular spinach, add chard to your quiche recipe. The nutrient-dense vegetable combines perfectly with some pancetta and egg white.

Be sure to stock up on chard and other BC grown produce next time you're at the Whistler Farmers Market. Check which farm vendors will be at the Whistler Farmers Market on our market maps here.

Our Favourite Smoothie Recipes

Smoothies are a lifesaver when you need to whip up something healthy and delicious quickly. Sometimes, oversleeping and other challenges of life can prevent you from making breakfast. If you want to increase your fruits and vegetable consumption, smoothies are a perfect way to incorporate more fiber and healthy nutrition into your diet.

Our farm vendors have a great array of fresh BC grown fruits and vegetables that can be used in your smoothies. Here are some smoothie recipes you should try out:

Blueberry Spinach Breakfast Smoothie

Blueberries and other berries are excellent sources of fiber and antioxidants. Spinach also comes loaded with vitamins and fiber and many other healthy nutrients. Blueberries are rich in fiber, low in calories and are dense in manganese, vitamin C, and K, as well as a high amount of antioxidants. Not only is this smoothie delicious, but it’s also a great immune booster due to the high antioxidant content.

Strawberry Banana Oatmeal Smoothie

Banana and strawberry make a perfect combination. It's best to use fresh or frozen fruit such as berries, pineapples, watermelon or mangoes to increase fibre content and reduce sugar. Bananas are also filling and rich in potassium.

Pineapple and Beetroot Smoothie

For this smoothie, blend your beets and pineapple to the right consistency. Add Greek yogurt or milk if you like dairy.

This smoothie is perfect, and it’s not too sweet as the beetroot and pineapple both balance out quite well. The yogurt and milk add a creamy texture and an excellent flavor to the drink. It's filling, delicious, and nutritious. Add some ice cubes or chill a little to enjoy!

Blueberry Apple Smoothie

This delicious smoothie is a great way to start your day. Blend your blueberry and apple and add some Greek yogurt or milk for texture and protein. You can also sub blackberries for the blueberries. Both berries are rich in fibre, antioxidants and natural sugars.

Vegetable Smoothie

Take advantage of the bountiful summer harvest to create some spectacular vegetable smoothies. From kale, chard, beet greens, carrots, and everything in between, there's no limit to what you can do with veggies. Veggies come with loads of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and fiber among others.

Carrot Smoothie

Carrots are a perfect snack any time of the day. Crunchy, delicious, and mobile, carrots can help get you to the next meal without indulging in junk foods that jeopardize your health and expand your waistline.

Lean and Green Smoothie

This smoothie is packed with the goodness of apples, pineapples, and kale. With an abundance of vitamins A and C, antioxidants and fiber, this healthy smoothie will not only get you fed, but will also boost your immune system without making you fat. Don’t worry about the kale; the pineapples and apples counterbalance its bitter taste.

Berries and Greens Smoothie

Combine your green smoothie with berries to add some sweetness and flavor. It’s so delicious you won’t notice the bitter kale or watery spinach in the blend.

Next time you're at the Whistler Farmers Market, be sure to stock up on some BC grown fruit and vegetables for your smoothies. Check out which farm vendors will be at the Whistler Farmers Market on our market maps. 

How to Properly Freeze and Store BC Blueberries

When it's BC blueberry season, you need the best tips and tricks to store and freeze your blueberries properly. In this article, you will learn how to choose, freeze and store your blueberries, so you still have more than enough to use long after the BC blueberry harvest.

To successfully store and freeze your blueberries, you need to pick the right berries in the first place. Unlike many fruits such as bananas, tomatoes, avocado and others that ripe after harvest, blueberries don’t ripen once they have been picked off the tree. So, you must make sure to pick only large blueberries with dark-blue or velvety-blue colours.

Luckily, the Whistler Farmers Market vendors selling BC blueberries are the masters of picking the perfect ones!

After picking the ripe blueberries, don’t wash until you are ready to use. Washing before freezing rids the outer coat of its natural protection, which makes it deteriorate quickly. 

Freezing

The first step when freezing your blueberries is to check the blueberries and get rid of any leaves, stems, or excessively soft fruits.

It’s best to use freezer bags when freezing your blueberries because containers allow air pockets that can result in crystallization and freezer burn.

It’s important that you know the number of freezer bags that will be adequate for your needs, so you have to measure the number of blueberries you are going to freeze.

When it’s time to freeze your blueberries, get a big bowl of cold water ready or use the sink. Add the blueberries to the water and then swish them around for about ten seconds before draining in a colander, then allow to dry completely on paper towels. Soaking the blueberries will make them lose taste and become engorged in water.

Line a pan or cookie sheet with lining or plastic wrap, and then pour a layer of blueberries. Be sure that the blueberries are not in contact with each other as the aim is to flash-freeze the berries without them touching. Place the pan on a level freezer shelf and allow to freeze for 30 minutes. You can stack the trays on each other if you have plenty of berries, but make sure there's enough space to allow free movement of the cold air.

When the berries have been frozen for 30 minutes, remove the berries and place into plastic bags. You can suck out the air with a straw or vacuum-seal the bags. Then return the bags into the freezer. Do the same for the rest of the berries until all is frozen.

The frozen berries can stay up to six months in the freezer. You can open them and take a couple of the berries whenever you need to since they are frozen individually. It’s important that you don’t thaw blueberries if you want to use them for baking.

To defrost, pour the berries into a bowl to capture the juices. Allow to sit for one hour or until they reach room temperature. The berries can then be added to your muffins, pies, smoothies, pancakes or enjoyed raw.

We hope you now know how to freeze and keep your  BC blueberries from the Whistler Farmers Market, so they last for many months after harvest.

How to Dry Herbs

Drying is the oldest and one of the simplest methods of preservation. As the summer inches away gradually, you can turn your gardening hobbies into a rewarding activity to keep your family refreshed and nourished for many months by learning how to dry your herbs. Drying has been used for millennia to keep herbs and other foods from spoiling and retaining their nutritional and medicinal properties.

Timing is essential when you want to dry your herbs. It’s important that you harvest the herbs before the flowers develop. Harvest after the dew has dried up on warm, low-humidity days that show signs of hotness. Rosemary, lavender, lemon balm, and mint do well with drying. Here are the ways of drying your herbs.

Air Drying

Tie branches or sprigs into small bunches. Avoid tying into large bunches as it can lead to mold or leaf discoloration. Hang the leaves downward. You can wrap the bunches with paper bags or muslin to protect them from dust and catch any seeds or leaves falling off the bunch. Plastic bags can cause mold.

Depending on the humidity and bunch sizes, hang drying can take up to 7-10 days. You know the herbs are completely dry when the leaves make a crisp sound like crushing cornflakes.

Seeds of coriander, fennel, caraway, and parsley can also be air-dried. Harvest the seeds with the stem, tie the stems together and cover the seeds with muslin or paper bag to catch falling seeds before hanging to dry.

Oven Drying

Oven drying is ideal for herbs such as parsley, rosemary, thyme, mint, and sage. The first step is to strip the herbs from the stems, then space out the leaves on a tray covered in muslin before setting in an oven set to the lowest temperature level. Higher temperature will cause the fragrant essential oils in the herbs to evaporate. Don’t cover the door to allow the moisture to exit the oven. Leaves should take one hour to dry but ensure you turn every 30 minutes for consistent drying.

Rack Drying

You can also dry your herbs on the rack. Arrange the leaves or sprigs individually on racks which can be made by stretching a muslin, netting, or cheesecloth on a wooden frame and tie in position. Place the tray of herbs in a warm, airy spot out away from direct sunlight, in the warming drawer of an oven, or an airing cupboard. Complete drying should take about 2-3 days but occasionally turn for even drying.

Microwave Drying

If you want to dry a small number of herbs, then microwave is a perfect drying method. Remove the leaves from the stems and dry off any moisture after rinsing.

On a paper towel, arrange a single layer of leaves and place on a plate suitable for the microwave. Then place another paper towel on the plate, turn up the microwave for about one minute. Stop immediately the herb starts giving off a burning smell. Heat at 30 seconds intervals until you get the desired dryness.

Food Dehydrator

A food dehydrator is a specialized equipment that works like a microwave. All you have to do is set the thermostat of the food dehydrator to 95-115 degrees Fahrenheit and preheat before introducing the herbs you want to dry. Place the herbs in a single layer on the trays in the dehydrator after rinsing and drying off the water. Depending on the herb's moisture, drying can take up to 1-4 hours. Be sure to keep an eye on the herbs to avoid burning. When the leaves crumble, and the stems break on bending, you know its dry.

What to do with garlic scapes?

Tis the farmers market season for garlic scapes! If you have visited the Whistler Farmers Market once or twice, I'm sure you have seen one of our dedicated farmers showcasing these at their booth (check out this article to learn about our farmers and what produce they bring each week).

What are garlic scapes?

Garlic scapes are the flower bud of the garlic plant. The farmer tends to remove the bud in late June to encourage the bulbs to thicken up. Scapes taste just like garlic, and guess what? They can be used exactly the same way as garlic in your favourite recipe! Ring the alarm, break out Grandma's cookbook and get in the kitchen!

Garlic buds are actually really good eaten raw. Next time try chopping them up and adding them to a salad.  If you're a true garlic lover, we recommend grilling them on the BBQ and using them as a side dish to your favourite meal.

Check out some of these recipes that feature the ever elusive garlic scape!

Garlic Scape Pesto Sauce

This recipe is from Serious Eats:

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 3/4 cup coarsely chopped garlic scapes*
• Juice and zest of 1/2 lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• A few generous grinds of black pepper
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
• *Or use half scapes and half herbs such as basil, dill and chervil

Directions

1. In a small, dry pan set over very low heat, lightly toast the pine nuts, stirring or tossing occasionally until just beginning to brown, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for a few minutes.

2. Combine the scapes, pine nuts, lemon juice and zest, salt, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse about 20 times, until well combined. Pour in the olive oil slowly through the feed tube while the motor is running. When the oil is incorporated, transfer the pesto to a bowl and stir in the grated cheese. If you plan to freeze the pesto, wait to add the cheese until after you've defrosted it.

Risotto

This recipe is from Seasons & Suppers:

Ingredients

• 1 small onion diced
• 5 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil DIVIDED
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 12 oz orzo
• 6 oz shiitake mushrooms
• 3 garlic scapes cut end trimmed and flower bulb and end removed, then shaved into ribbons with a vegetable peeler
• 4 Tbsp butter DIVIDED
• 3 Tbsp heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus shavings for garnish
• 3 oz baby arugula 3-4 handfuls

Instructions

1. Pour stock into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to keep hot.

2. Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, cook the onion in 3 Tbsp. of olive oil until translucent and tender. Season with salt and pepper. Add the orzo and mix thoroughly. Gradually add the stock to the pasta, one ladle full at a time, stirring each continuously, until the stock is absorbed and then adding another ladle full. Continue this process until the orzo is cooked to al dente.

3. While the orzo is cooking, in a separate saute pan, heat 2 Tbsp. of olive oil and sear the mushrooms and garlic scapes until golden brown. Add 2 Tbsp. of the butter and a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper. Let the butter become golden brown, then remove from heat and reserve.

4. Once the orzo is cooked, stir in the remaining 2 Tbsp. of butter, Parmesan cheese and heavy cream. Stir to combine and then stir in the baby arugula and cook just until the arugula is wilted. Taste and add additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Return the mushrooms to a hot burner briefly to re-warm.

5. To serve, spoon orzo into a shallow bowl and place a spoonful of the mushrooms and scapes over the top. Using a vegetable peeler, shave some additional Parmesan cheese on to the top for garnish.

Blue Cheese Dressing

This recipe is from Food52.com

Makes: 1 1/2 cups 
Prep time: 10 min

• 4ounces blue cheese, crumbled
• 2/3cup mayonnaise
• 1/4cup sour cream or thick yogurt
• 1/4cup buttermilk, shaken well
• 1tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1teaspoon runny honey
• 1tablespoon minced fresh chives, scallions, or garlic scapes
• 1pinch freshly ground black pepper
• 1dash Caynne-based hot sauce, dried red pepper flakes, or chili oil, to serve (optional)

1. If you like a smooth dressing, grab a medium bowl and mash the blue cheese into the mayonnaise with the back of a fork. If a chunky dressing is preferred, keep the blue cheese aside and proceed to step 2.
2. Mix the mayonnaise with the sour cream, most of the buttermilk, and all of the vinegar and honey.
3. Add the chives to the bowl, along with the blue cheese, if making the chunkier style. Fold to combine, and season with pepper. Taste for seasoning, adding more buttermilk, vinegar, honey and pepper, as necessary.
4. You can use the dressing right away but I think it's even nicer after a day in the fridge, which gives the flavours a chance to round out. The dressing will thicken as it sits, but can be thinned with a few drops of water. Serve with a dash of hot sauce. Keep any leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge, and use up in a few days.

The business incubator of Whistler

The only real way I can give this article the context it deserves is to write it from the first person...... Hi! My name is Kara and I help out with the marketing of the Whistler Farmers Market. I once too was a Whistler Farmers Market vendor. My small business, Caveman Grocer was a faithful vendor that attended both Wednesday and Sunday markets. I even served on the Whistler Farmers Market board for almost 4 years. I've seen first-hand the massive impact the market has had on our local business community. 

Businesses here are given a stage that they might not otherwise have. It's an opportunity to get a product to market, test it and find out first hand whether people are interested in buying your product. Instead of just bragging about our little market that could, I figured it best to showcase the businesses that have started at the Whistler Farmers Market and have hit it out of the park.

Purebread

The lineups out the door will give you the first clue that this is the spot to grab a sweet treat in Whistler. Their founding story is a simple one we love to tell!

Nonna Pia's (more on them down below) needed fresh bread so their customers could taste their balsamic reductions.  Their friends, Mark and Paula, were known to bake a serious loaf of bread. Nonna Pia's had so many people wanting the bread, mark and Paula were encouraged to get a booth at the Whistler Farmers Market. 

The growing business now boasts 2 locations in Whistler and one in Gastown, Vancouver. 

Do yourself a favour when you stop by Purebread and don't limit yourself to just one treat. Whether it's savoury or sweet, they have you covered.

Nonna Pias

Does it get any better than being featured on Dragon's Den and getting the cash?

Norm and Natasha, the couple behind the successful biz knew they had a winning product when their family recipe was a big hit within their inner circle. After much encouragement, they threw their hat in the ring and made a go of it by showcasing their balsamic reductions at the Whistler Farmers Market. 

Their product is now featured in over 1600 stores across North America, and it's all produced right here in Whistler, BC! What an incredible journey these two have been on. Get their full story here.

Laughing Crow Organics

Andrew and Kerri, the super passionate duo behind the all organic farm in Pemberton, BC started off a little while ago with just a few Wednesday markets, selling leafy greens to now, a show-stopping booth with all the veggies!

They come fully packed each week and also run a very successful CSA program that sold out for 2018! You can find out more about these passionate farmers here.

Golden Crust

Patricia started selling her pies at the Whistler Farmers Market back in 2002! She started off in a commercial kitchen in Squamish. Her booth at the Whistler Farmers Market became so successful that they opened up their own bakery in Squamish and turned it into a full-time family business! 

Their pocket pies are a true staple of the Whistler Farmers Market. Check them out for their famous pocket pies or take home a pie for the whole family. You can get the full story and list of products here.

Schnitzel Shack

Mihaela and Bruce started with just a small trailer that featured cabbage rolls and tasty meatballs on a stick.  Their European style food was a crowd pleaser and they showcased their skills each week at the market. 

They have been slowly building their empire over the last few years which now includes a food truck, a European bistro called Lil Chef Bistro, and are killing it in the catering game all over the Sea to Sky and North Shore. We're really excited to see what Mihaela and Bruce come up with next!

Caveman Grocer

The entire idea of this piece became quite clear that it was something I had to write about. A massive part of what got our business off the ground was having a platform like the Whistler Farmers Market. 

A huge statement, isn't it? Well, it's true. We had started our business back in June of 2012 and attended our very first farmers market on a balmy hot Wednesday, selling raw paleo chocolate. It was a complete and utter disaster! I'm pretty sure the only people who bought our chocolates were friends and people who felt bad for us (the distress on my face was quite clear). 

Fast forward to now, we're a 7 figure e-commerce brand that delivers ready-made meals all over the Sea to Sky and Lower Mainland of BC.  Last year we even won the rising star of Whistler, awarded by the Whistler Chamber of Commerce. What a crazy road it's been! I know without a doubt that without the push to get involved from the market manager, Chris Quinlan, and the success of the Farmers Market, we wouldn't be where we are today.

The market gives an opportunity to entrepreneurs in the Sea to Sky to see what sells, how it sells, what price point to sell it at and how the general public receives the product. You can do it all with minimal capital investment and pivot as you need until you find the winning path.

So thank you Whistler Farmers Market! Excited to see what businesses come over the next while!

Get to know your Sea to Sky Farmers

The Sea to Sky Corridor has some amazing farmers that produce some of the tastiest fruits, vegetables and meats! We're incredibly lucky that we don't have to drive far to truly stay local. 

Each week, our dedicated farmers show up to the market to showcase their labour of love. Read on to find out about each farm and what they grow.

Spray Creek Ranch

organic pastured meats and eggs

Tristan & Aubyn Banwell, the duo behind Spray Creek, bring organic, pasture raised chicken, pork, turkey and beef each week (and we feel so lucky to have them).  Spray Creek Ranch is a 260 acre (100 hectare) farm in the rain shadow of British Columbia’s Coast Mountains in the Northern St’at’imc Territory, 15 km south of Lillooet. Using diversified, regeneration farming techniques, they produce wholesome, delicious pastured meats. Get the full story on their farm at https://spraycreek.ca/

Plenty Wild Farms

Certified Organic Produce

This hardworking couple grows over 40 different types of produce and it's all grown organically, right in Pemberton. Their booth is always fully stocked with a rainbow that is sure to inspire some tasty meals for the week to come. 

Their labour of love for the land produces the needed staples like potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes each week. Some weeks you can find unusual offerings like celeriac and kohlrabi. If you want to check out the latest from Plenty Wild, check out their website here.

Goldstrike Honeybee Company

Lillooet Honey

Liquid gold, straight out of Lillooet! If you have the time, and Steve isn't too busy with customers, we suggest you ask him why he started this business in the first place! It's a really interesting story, one we don't want to spoil for you, however we will tell you that it will make you think twice before spraying with pesticides at home. Watch the video below on why he moved his entire colony to Lillooet:

Hare's Farm

Pemberton Organic Blueberries

There is nothing sweeter than berry season, especially when it's BC blueberries. JD Hare brings the sweetest and freshest berries when in season. You can buy them by the pint or purchase in bulk and freeze for the winter months. Be sure to visit them now because in a few more weeks, blueberry season is over (such a sad thought isn't it).

Laughing Crow Organics

Certified Organic Farm

Talk about two people who absolutely love what they do! Kerri & Andrew, the extremely hard working pair behind Laughing Crow bring fresh produce, gorgeous bouquets and honey, each and every week. This farm has produced some of the tastiest and sweetest carrots I've ever had!

““The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer.” – Will Rogers”

Rainshadow Growers

Farm Produce, Value added farm products

You will find more than just fresh vegetables at the Rainshadow Growers collective booth. We love their approach to reducing waste and their offerings of kimchi, pickles and even dried chilis! Straight out of Lillooet, you can find them at the market each and every Sunday.

Aig Produce Osoyoos

Fresh Fruit

Missing the sweet tastes of Osoyoos? Don't miss AIG produce whom each week bring what's in season from the Okanagan Valley. Apples, cherries, peaches, plums and fresh berries. Fill up your bags and taste some of the sweetest fruits this province has to offer.

Fraser Valley Fruit Growers Co-operative

Fresh Berries

What farmers market trip is complete without loading up on fresh berries? Sometimes the pint doesn't even make it home without my family devouring it first. What's best is the staff who work at the booth always seem to have such a great time. If you make it your last stop, you may have a better chance of not eating all the fruit before you get home, however we can't guarantee they won't be sold out!

We're extremley lucky here in Whistler to have access to so many amazing and hardworking farmers who bring us the goods every week. Be sure to come to the market and support your farmers, support local.

Remember spending your dollars here helps keep the money in the pockets of the small businesses who keep this community going.

Kids favourites at the Whistler Farmers Market

Taking the whole family to the Whistler Farmers Market is a Sunday tradition for not only the locals but those visiting for the weekend too. It's clear that all kids have their favourite vendor where they get to purchase their special treat. Here's the ultimate list (and one to break out when you're trying to convince your toddler to get out the door).

Sargent Poppers

Freshly Popped Kettle Corn

A long time vendor, Sargent Poppers brings freshly popped kettle corn, each and every week! You can find them at the market on both Wednesdays & Sundays, every week. Grab a snack bag, or grab a family bag (if you wish to share that family bag, that's up to you!). Grab a freshly squeezed lemonade while you're there.

frostbites syrup co

Snowcones & Cordials

I don't know about you, but this is the one way I can easily convince my three year old to get out the door.  It's also the number one bribery I use to keep him in his stroller while I shop around the market (he's also the happy guy sitting in the photo). As a parent, I take joy knowing he's eating a treat that isn't filled with artificial flavours or colouring.

The duo behind frostibites make these syrups from real fruit. Be sure to grab a cordial and use one of their Instagram cocktail recipes for a special treat that is well deserved for those braving the market with their toddler!

Maples Sugar Shack

Maple Syrup

What Canadian farmers market would be complete without real maple syrup? The best part about the Maples Sugar Shack is the snow candy they serve up each and every week. Its delicious, it's simple, and it's oh-so-Canadian! Whether your a tourist tasting the Canadian cuisine, or doing your weekly shop, this is a simple treat the kids will love!

Lucia Gelato

Gelato

No hot day is complete without a sweet cold treat to finish (or start) the day. A locals favourite, Lucia Gelato is the real thing, authentic, Italian Gelato. Flavours can change from week to week. Be sure to try a couple of flavours and don't be afraid to ask for two different flavours in your bowl when you order.

Parents should be sure to check out these vendors who have some unique designs to keep your little one in the latest Whistler fashion.

Milkshaxs and Fruit Shaxs

Sweets and Treats, Clothing and Accessories

Not only do they sell the cutest onsies, but they also feature organic berry slushies that are sure to fix any hot day! Check out their one of a kind designs that truly capture the summer scene in Whistler. 

Mally Designs

leather baby bibs, & moccasins

Just look at those precious leather moccasins! Whether a keepsake or the perfect accessory for those newborn photos, Mally Designs can make the perfect gift and take-home piece from your Whistler trip. Don't miss their leather made bibs that capture our Canadian flag beautifully!

Hau'oli Apparel

Hau'oli Apparel is handmade children's clothing

Ready to have your little one make his/her own fashion statement? One that is met with water-based pigment inks and dyes and organic cotton? Sizes range from 3 months to 24 months and every piece is handmade! 

Einai Designs

Clothing and Accessories

Need to encourage your kids in the kitchen? Pick up a handmade apron designed specially for kids! Moms and dads can also check out reusable lunch bags, diaper bags and changing pads.  If you're looking for a little Canadian flare, don't miss the maple leaf patterns!

Be sure to check out the market map, each week to see which vendors will be at the Whistler Farmers Market, here.

Food Trucks at the Whistler Farmers Market

There's no question that our farmers market showcases some of the best of the Sea to Sky Region, and our food trucks do a stellar job at shining through!

From hand-rolled pasta, freshly squeezed juices to traditional European food, our food trucks hit it out of the park each and every week! Don't forget to check out the Market Maps to see who is at the market each and every Wednesday and Sunday. 

Amo La Vita

Gourmet Pasta

Fresh, hand-rolled pasta is featured on the menu each and every week. You can find their yellow bus at the market every Sunday.  Using only what is in season, and purchasing directly from farmers, they do a fantastic job of showcasing what the Sea to Sky produces each season. 

Every piece of pasta is handmade and in small batches. Their menu changes daily so you can be sure from week to week you can try something different!

Mountain Squeeze

mobile cold-pressed juicery

"Fuelled by a love of fresh fruit, vegetables and of course, the mountains." Erin and Amy, the two behind Mountain Squeeze are at the market every Sunday, serving up the rainbow of the Sea to Sky Corridor. You can grab vegan smoothies, wellness shots, vegan salad wraps, gluten friendly vegan granola cookies and cold-pressed juice. We recommend making them your first stop of Sunday morning so you can fill your system with the micro nutrients needed, and start the day off on the right foot!

Rockin' Wok

Asian inspired rice noodle dishes

Delicious and fresh Pad Thai made to order that features organic produce from Laughing Crow Organics in Pemberton.  All of their dishes are gluten and dairy free and feature vegan sauces.  For a meal that is sure to satisfy your South East Asian taste buds, be sure to check out the Rockin' Wok on Sundays (for a full schedule as to when their truck will be at the market, click here).

Schnitzel Shack

A taste of Europe

Mihaela and Bruce, the passionate duo behind the Schnitzel Shack bring classically made European food each and every week to the market. A freshly made schnitzel wrap topped with fried onions, sauerkraut, lettuce and your choice of sauce is sure to please the comfort food crowd.

Other menu items include Cubano sandwiches and Egg sandwiches made with their homemade English muffins that feature 108 sausage patties. Their food truck is set up at the market each and every Sunday!

Don't forget that we list who is at the market each and every week so you can plan out the perfect day! See the map for both Wednesdays & Sundays here.

Wines at the Whistler Farmers Market

If there’s one thing that goes with good fresh food, like that which you’ll find at the Whistler Farmers Market, it’s wine. And we have some outstanding wine vendors selling delicious BC wine.

We will briefly explain the laws in regards to selling wine at the farmers market. Lastly, we will introduce you to a few wine vendors that will be attending our farmers market events.

First, let’s get acquainted with wine in BC.

Wine in BC

Making wine in British Columbia is nothing to yawn at. It’s a major player in the BC economy, bringing nearly $3 billion every year to it.

There are five official wine regions in BC:

1.     Okanagan Valley

2.     Similkameen Valley

3.     Fraser Valley

4.     Vancouver Island

5.     Gulf Islands

Of these five, Okanagan is the premier growing region for grapes. But all five collectively contain the 929 vineyards and wineries that bring in 1 million visitors to BC every year.

Selling Wine at the Farmers Market 

It was declared on June 21, 2014, that all legal forms of alcohol – beer, wine, cider and spirits – can be sold at BC farmers markets, right alongside fruits and vegetables.

Both the licensees and the markets have legal requirements to meet so that wine can be sold at the farmers markets.

All sampling and sales of any liquor, wine included, must take place within the defined sales area at the market where the wine will be sold.

Fort Berens

Immigrants from Holland, Rolf de Bruin and Heleen Pannekoek founded Fort Berens in 2005 and fully launched the vineyard in 2009, which made it the very first in Lillooet.

Their vision is to make Fort Berens one of the leading wine producers in Canada. Whistler Farmers Market is thrilled to have them as one of our vendors

BC Wine Studio

Winemaker Mark Simpson had a vision for BC Wine Studio: “to create a special place for sharing wine best practices, encouraging creativity and producing high quality, distinctive hand-crafted wines.” (Quoted directly from their website)

When it comes to techniques, it offers the latest ones, along with a vast, trusted network of growers and suppliers – another exciting addition to the Whistler Farmers Market.

Forbidden Fruit Wine

Forbidden Fruit Wine has the distinction of being an organic vineyard, ever since its inception in 1977. It was officially certified as such in 1984.

The quality is also indicative of where the grapes are planted: A sloping hill that borders the Similkameen River. Well-watered and protected from the commercial farms, makes their fruit some of the best around, and it has been that way for four decades.

Though the word “forbidden” is in their name, they won’t be forbidden from the Whistler Farmers Market.

Summary

These are just a few of the wine vendors at our farmers market. Whatever your taste for food, wine or music, we are confident you will enjoy yourself at the Whistler Farmers Market. We hope to see you there!