There’s nothing like chowing down on locally made preserves, sweets and baked goods.
The food somehow tastes better when it’s made by someone else — and with a passion and a love for the product.
That’s what you’ll find at all three farmers markets in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody.
Curious about what’s on offer?
Here’s a sample of some of the producers compiled by BC Association of Farmers’ Markets for Tri-City News readers:
Port Moody Farmers Market
(Wednesdays 3 to 7 p.m., Port Moody Recreation Complex, 300 Ioco Rd.)
• Epicure Preserves
Epicure Preserves’ products are made with locally sourced, organically grown and seasonal ingredients from B.C .farms and orchards.
Everything is handmade, small-batch processed on the day the fruits and vegetables are picked, and do not contain preservatives, dyes or commercial pectin; hence, the maximum amount of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are retained in these nutritious, delectable jellies, jams and marmalades.
Epicure Preserves’ relishes, pickles and other preserves are also sourced locally, freshly canned on the day they are picked, and prepared without commercial pectin, dyes, chemicals or preservatives.
• Loulouz Kitchen
Loulouz Kitchen provides exceptionally tasting homemade Lebanese sweets across the Lower Mainland.Their main speciality is baklava.
Pick up some fine baklava in five flavours: Pistachio, Cashews, Hazelnut, Maple Pecan and Cinnamon Walnut.
• Origo Foods
https://www.facebook.com/OrigoFoods
“We watched our young boys growing up and promised to make sure we were giving them nourishing snacks made with simple, high-quality ingredients they would actually want to eat.”
“After countless label-deciphering hours in the snack aisle later, we realized we would have to make them ourselves. Cut to today, and Origo is how we’re keeping the promise we made to our kids—with 100% real fruit deliciousness.”
• Nuez Acres
https://www.facebook.com/nuezacres/
Canada’s only indigenous pecan oil producers. Nuez Acres produces 100 per cent natural products for skin, hair, and body. Nuez Acres is a seed to skin brand advocating for the conservation of water in the beauty industry.
• Chromatic Farms
Our farm offers a wide range of seasonal vegetables, including leafy greens, root vegetables, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and more.
We pride ourselves on the freshness and taste of our vegetables, which are harvested at the peak of ripeness.
Our small-scale vegetable farm is committed to sustainable agriculture practices, including soil conservation, crop rotation, and composting.
We believe in taking care of the land and the environment to ensure the health and vitality of our farm for years to come.
Coquitlam Farmers Market
(Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dogwood Pavilion parking lot, 1655 Winslow Ave.)
• Fae Florals
Products: Fresh cut flowers, dahlia tubers, plant seedlings, seeds, dried flowers
Fae Florals is a local cut flower farm in Port Kells, Surrey. Specializing in field and greenhouse grown flowers, it offers a unique variety of seasonal flowers to the local market. It supplies to florists, the farmers market, and also does florals for weddings and events.
• eF & Be BakeHouse
Products: melon pan, mochi melon pan, curry pan, hotel bread
It specializes in high-quality, authentic Japanese baked goods.
• Broken Grain
Products: vegetables, herbal tea blends, herbal salves, herbal tinctures, dried chiles
Broken Grain is its statement of faith, that honest food and healing herbs can be grown right here in abundance. It grows to build into the community and to encourage others to have a local mindset.
• Churchkhela
Products: Churchkhela with four flavours: White grape, white grape and pomegranate, red grape, apple and cinnamon
Churchkhela is a traditional Georgian snack originating from the 8th century BC.
Its team is composed of members who have a Georgian background and grew up eating Churchkhela. Churchkhela is made with only fruits, nuts and flour making it a snack for all ages to enjoy guilt free. Churchkhela is completely free of any preservatives or added sugars. Its new business seeks to share this ancient snack with the Canadian public, who has likely never seen a product like this before.
• Karet
Products: Green moss stud earrings, Birdsnest earrings
Karet uses materials found commonly in nature such as real flowers from B.C. and stones with a vintage twist. It aims to highlight aspects of nature and showcase the precision and cares that goes into handmade jewellery and hair accessories.
Port Coquitlam Farmers Market
(Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m Terry Fox Hometown Square on Kelly Avenue at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre)
• Golden Ears Cheesecrafters
Products: cheddar, gouda, havarti, charmisan, basler, jersey blue, velvet blue, feta, brie, neufchatel, quark, curds, cultured butter
Golden Ears Cheesecrafters Ltd. is a family-owned and -operated artisan cheese and farm gate shop. It handcrafts a variety of artisan cheeses, curds and butter from local milk. It also offers other local dairy, eggs, gourmet products and giftware, as well as gift baskets in our on-site retail store. Relax with breakfast or lunch or coffee, fresh scones or gelato on our veranda after a walk/bike ride on nearby trails/dykes.
• Humblebee Meadery
Products: Mead in the style of craft ciders and beer.
Humblebee has re-crafted this ancient drink and aims to bring it back to the table with a flavour profile developed for a 21st century palate.
• Bite Bakery
Products: Cookies, sandwich cookies, brownies, peanut butter cups, loaves (banana bread or seasonal loaves), cake jars, blondies, cupcakes
Bite Bakery is a home bakery located in Coquitlam. Its specialty is creating delicious home-baked desserts that take you back to your childhood memories. Flavours include birthday cake, red velvet Oreo, Nanaimo bar, fudgey brownie, peanut butter pretzel sea salt, to name a few. Its most popular item is the sandwich cookies.
