Farm-to-Table, with a Whistler Twist
As summer returns to the Sea to Sky Corridor, so does the Whistler Farmers’ Market.
The event along the stroll in the Upper Village is a feast for the senses, combining farmto-table standards with worldclass resort sophistication. Hand picked strawberries nestle in cardboard boxes next to displays of award-winning wines from the Okanagan. Kettle corn pops boisterously as accents from Australia, Asia, England, France and beyond can be heard all around you. The smell of fresh rye bread mingles with the aroma of chili lime balsamic reduction. A display of thick, printed fabric stands in front of a steel Doppelmayr chairlift. And tastes of homemade truffles mingle with the spices of baked Indian samosas.
“It is a unique experience,” says manager Chris Quinlan. “It is both high quality and down to earth.”
Now in its twenty-first year, the open-air market has grown substantially from its humble beginnings to its present-day lineup of more than ninety vendors. It claims the title as one of the largest farmers’ markets in British Columbia—featuring farmers, artisans and entertainers from across the province— and is the only one to take place at the base of a top ski resort.
The growth in size and popularity of the market in recent years has meant vendors have been able to reinvest in their businesses and enhance the quality of their products. This has been particularly true for local farmers, who have used the proceeds to bolster their harvests of vegetables and fruits. New farms have been added to the roster, and the variety of produce available has flourished.
“The quality of the farms has just gone through the roof,” says Quinlan. “The market has really helped local producers grow.”
Thanks to the recent changes to British Columbia’s liquor laws, the market has also begun selling craft beers, wines and liquors. Vendors this year will include BC Wine Studio, Okanagan Crush Pad Winery, Perseus Winery, Fort Berens Estate Winery, Dragon Mist Distillery and Pemberton Distillery.
This local market with international appeal takes place twice a week, on Sundays and Wednesdays. The Sunday market runs May 31 to October 11, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Wednesday market runs July 1 to August 26, 3 p.m.to 7 p.m.
“I invite everyone to come up this year and enjoy the market,” says Quinlan. “A tip is to get here early to get the good stuff.”