Main Street Station at Thornton Park Farmer's Market - Vancouver, BC

So this Piglet always hears about farmer's markets but have never really been to one.  I know, I know...  Living in the Lower Mainland and not been to a farmer's market???  I know I'm ridiculous so let's just move on.  I caught wind of this one through the Vancouver Farmers Market website (http://eatlocal.org/index.html) and twitter feed (@VanMarkets).  I'm usually quite booked up for Saturdays and Sundays but through the social media vine, I heard about a small market open on Wednesdays.  Hurrah!  Here we go!!

Located in Thornton Park across the street from the VIA Rail Station and just a hop away from the Main Street Skytrain Station.  Usually I'm quite wary of walking in these parts but this place has cleaned up somewhat and I actually enjoyed the walk.  I parked about 2 blocks away (free street parking!) and took a stroll in on this beautiful Wednesday afternoon...  I wonder what's going to be available.

It's a bit smaller I suppose than other markets but there's a few food trucks, an ice cream cart and a whole lotta local farmers and vendors.  I'm super excited...  Here are some of the places I took a gander at:

Can I interest you in some local cheese?  Why would I have to buy it here when a shirtless guy on a bike tried to sell me cheese in a white plastic bag in his hand?  True story.  Wonder where the cheese came from and where it's been...  Hm, better get your cheese from Little Qualicum Cheeseworks instead.

A bouquet of flours for your sweetie perhaps?  Local flour is hard to find and although this is a little pricey, it's a small price to pay to support your local vendors.  Plus they use a human-powered bike mill to grind flour and they do it front of you too!  That fresh enough for you????

A whole range of sauces, generally about $5 a bottle...

The Jam Ladies had some really nice offerings...  Local and handmade jams and hot pepper jellies.

Some music to pass your time...  Was nice while I was eating and this guy was really into it!

MMMmmmm...  First strawberries of the season...  Can't wait to make these into some kind of tart!

Freshly picked produce from the stand with no name...

Sole Food had some really beautiful swiss chard and kale...  

I'm standing in line to buy tomatoes!  In my defense (all of all those in front and behind me), they were some really beautiful heirloom and grape tomatoes  in assorted colors going on here and they're fresh from Delta!

They have a storefont on Kingsway but I've heard of them being at other farmer's markets as well...  macarons, cookies, chocolate croissants...  all the French pastry goodies.

Strictly found only at the farmer's markets, this stand had a variety of baked goods including a fruit tart that was just calling my name!

A LOT of baked goods here.  I think I must've stood in front for a good 20 minutes before I could decide what to get...  Who's the crazy lady with the camera in front of our stand???  Good thing there's a lot of police presence around here.  Ha!

One of the two food trucks on site - this one serves homemade tacos...

Ice cream anyone?  Original flavors served in pint-sized mason jars and ice cream sandwiches that'll blow your mind!

And what else is going on at this market?  They're filming an episode of Anna and Kristina's Grocery Bag!  I love their show!  Absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE!  I was crushed when we changed cable companies and I lost all my PVR'd episodes of A&K...  But they're here!  Well, I only spot Kristina getting ready and Anna is nowhere in sight but whatever!  I love you guys!  I should've asked for an autograph...  why didn't I put on any makeup???  Oh well, so what are they doing here?  They're taste testing to see which product to use in their show and what product pray tell???  Canned meats.  Pass.  I love you guys, I love your show but I am not eating Spam thank you very much.  


And what did I get at the farmer's market?  These beauties:

Golden Beets...  I LOVE beets in general but I HATE the way it stains everything - my hands, the cutting board, the pot...  After I've cooked red beets, it looks like I've been butchering meat all day.  I mentioned it to a dear co-worker one day and she said she had golden beets.  Where'd you get them from??  A farm market in Langley...  Um, that's too far for me.  So when I saw these little treats, I was giddy with joy.  Watch out readers, there's a beautiful salad coming your way!!

There's a lot more vendors and happenings but this post could only host so many pictures!  Definitely worth the skytrain/walk out if you've got nothing else to do on a sunny evening and you're looking for some beautiful and organic produce to go into one of your home-cooked meals.  Take in the local produce, buy some beautiful microgreens and nosh on some food truck goodies.  Bon appetite!  And support your local farmers and producers!


Lots more to come readers and many more farmer's markets to visit so stay tuned!  Oink oink!


Pros:

• Beautiful organic produce and products
• Close to public transportation
• Free parking a little further out and pay parking nearby (not that expensive)
• Only farmer's market open on Wednesdays

Cons:

• Cash only - Food market tokens are available but they cost you $2 extra
• Limited hours and they operate during rush hour - if you're coming from the 'burbs, you're gonna have a hard time getting home afterwards unless you before 4 or after 6 (Knight St is a ^&%$*)