Vancouver Farmers Markets Launch Summer Season with Indigenous Vendor Pilot and Full Market Lineup by July
Vancouver Farmers Markets (VFM) marked a major milestone last week with the Opening Ceremony of the Downtown Farmers Market at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza). The event celebrated the launch of a new Indigenous Vendor Pilot Program, developed in partnership with Indigenous Tourism BC, which introduces four Indigenous-owned businesses into the VFM vendor community.
This pilot is a meaningful step in VFM’s reconciliation journey, aimed at creating space for cultural visibility, economic opportunity, and direct community connection. Executive Director Laura Smit spoke of VFM’s 30-year journey and how the market’s strength lies in its relationships—with the land, with producers, and with each other. “Maybe this sets us up to better acknowledge the traditional, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-waututh nations,” she said, “and to appreciate that we are gathered at a place that means ‘a place for cultural gathering.’”
The June 5 launch drew a large crowd of supporters, with traditional drumming and remarks from both VFM and ITBC representatives setting a hopeful tone for the season ahead. Click here to learn more about the opening day and the program.
The 2025 summer market season has been rolling out since spring, with Trout Lake and Riley Park launching in April, West End and Mount Pleasant opening early in May, as well as Kitsilano. The Downtown Market, now in full swing, rounded out six of seven markets across the city.
Now, VFM is excited to confirm that the False Creek Farmers Market will return on Thursday, July 3, operating at a new location: Olympic Village Square, every Thursday from 3pm–7pm.
“With the rising focus on supporting local, there’s never been a more important time to shop at your local farmers market,” said Laura Smit, Executive Director of VFM. “Every dollar spent at a farmers market means two dollars are recirculated in our community, keeping farms in business, strengthening our local food economy, and bringing us closer to the people who grow and make our food.”
By early July, all seven Vancouver Farmers Markets will be open and operating weekly, offering access to fresh local produce, prepared foods, handmade goods, and now — thanks to the Indigenous Vendor Pilot — a deeper celebration of our region’s diverse food cultures.
For market dates, locations, vendor lineups, and special programming, visit eatlocal.org.
