Farmers’ markets — shop for your health and the environment

Celebrate Canada Day with the best of B.C. agriculture.

With the farmers’ market season in full swing, Agriculture and Lands Minister Steve Thomson is encouraging British Columbians to take advantage of the opportunity to buy fresh local products.

“Shopping at farmers’ markets is great for your health and the environment, and it supports farm families and the local economy,” said Thomson. “Canada Day is a perfect time to get out and sample the unique and diverse variety of agricultural products grown in B.C.”

Farmers’ markets are an excellent place to socialize, try new local foods and connect with the people who produce our food. They also represent a value of more than $118 million each year to local economies, making them an important link in a viable agricultural sector. Log on to www.bcfarmersmarket.org to find a market in your community.

“In a matter of months, British Columbia will play host to people from around the world coming to participate in the 2010 Winter Olympics,” said Thomson. “To help B.C. meet its goal of being the healthiest jurisdiction to ever host the Olympics, I encourage British Columbians to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes eating lots of farm fresh produce.”

Summer is also a great time of year to visit local agricultural fairs, which are an important part of B.C.’s heritage. For example, this year marks the 100th anniversary of fairs in Cobble Hill and Summerland, and both the PNE and Abbotsford Agrifair are celebrating 99 years. Visit the BC Association of Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions at www.bcfairs.ca for information about events in your community and across the province.

B.C. grows and produces over 225 agricultural commodities and thousands of unique food products. Farmers’ markets and agricultural fairs not only benefit local economies, they also provide people the opportunity to interact with food producers, drawing communities closer and educating citizens on where their food comes from. For a map of farms that sell direct, visit the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands website at www.al.gov.bc.ca/farmdirect/index.html.

B.C.’s agriculture sector also produces juices, ciders and hundreds of award-winning table wines and icewines. There are 710 vineyards (wineries and independent producers) across the province, producing over 60 varieties of grapes. The B.C. Vintner’s Quality Alliance (BCVQA) is a national symbol for quality wine, ensuring the wine is 100 per cent B.C. grown and produced to optimum standards. BCVQA wine sales average $155 million annually. For more information on the wines of B.C., visit the B.C. Wine Institute at www.winebc.com.

VICTORIA
June 30, 2009
Ministry of Agriculture and Lands