Giovanni Manfroni Photo: Vendor at University of British Columbia Farm
The UBC Farm attends three markets a week and we are fortunate to host two markets a week on site at the UBC Farm!
What products do you bring/most popular?
We grow over 100 varieties of crops during the market season, our most popular summer produce includes salad mix, carrots, lettuce heads, and of course our strawberries and blueberries are always a big hit! In the fall our potatoes, onions, and abundance of winter squash varieties are the most popular among market customers.
What does it mean to be part of the local Farmers’ Market?
The UBC Farmers’ Market is an integral part of our mission to exemplify healthy and sustainable food systems and to cultivate the local economy. Our markets are the largest revenue stream for our produce sales and as a non-profit we operate on a cost recovery basis, so this revenue is essential for us to keep the lights on! The UBC Farmers’ Market connects Point Grey and Kitsilano community members with local food businesses, increasing sustainability food literacy within the community and providing an incubator platform for small businesses to grow their business. As a member of BCAFM all products sold at the market are made, baked, grown, or raised in BC by the vendors.
Do you have any stories or unique facts that you’d like to share with us about your farm?
The UBC Farm is a very unique place! The farm was started by students in 2001 and since then has grown into a research, teaching and learning space for the Centre for Sustainable Food System’s within the Faculty of Land and Food Systems. The farm is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. We share our site with multiple community groups, including the Musqueam Garden, Tal A’xin: Maya in Exile Garden, and xʷc̓ic̓əsəm: Indigenous Health Research & Education Garden. As a living laboratory for learning, we not only grow over 100 varieties of crops, we also grow new farmers! Our practicum program provides hands-on learning for a full growing season of food production to anyone with a strong interest in sustainable agriculture. A number of practicum program alumni are now farming all across B.C..
