Kamloops Farmers' Market: Local Food, Community & Sustainability

The Kamloops Farmers' Market demonstrates the power of local agriculture and community connection. With its roots dating back to 1978, this market has grown into a thriving hub for fresh produce, artisanal goods, and cultural events. It's where shoppers and growers meet to share food, stories, traditions, and a commitment to sustainable living.

Market Schedule and Locations

The Kamloops Farmers' Market operates year-round, adapting to the changing seasons with indoor and outdoor setups. Its schedule ensures that locals and visitors can always access fresh, locally produced goods.

Outdoor Markets

From April to October, the market takes over downtown streets. On Saturdays, the bustling stalls line the 200 block of St. Paul Street and the adjacent Stuart Wood schoolyard from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Wednesdays bring a midweek market to the 400 block of Victoria Street, in front of the TNRD Library, operating from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM. These outdoor markets are packed with seasonal fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and crafts.

Indoor Winter Market

As the weather cools, the market moves indoors from November to March. The Mount Paul Community Food Centre hosts the winter market on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The focus remains on local, sustainable products, with vendors offering everything from preserved foods to handmade goods.

A Showcase of Local Goods

The vendors at the Kamloops Farmers' Market reflect the diversity and creativity of the region. Most items available at the market are made, baked, or grown within a 100-kilometre radius, ensuring that shoppers get fresh, high-quality products while supporting local businesses.

Fresh Produce and Food Products

The market's core is its food offerings. Seasonal fruits and vegetables, locally raised meats, eggs, and dairy products dominate the stalls. Shoppers can also find artisanal bread, pastries, honey, and preserves. These goods embody the flavours of Kamloops, with an emphasis on sustainability and quality.

Handcrafted Art and Goods

In addition to food, the market showcases the work of local artisans. Shoppers can browse handcrafted jewelry, woodwork, textiles, and skincare products. These unique items make the market a destination for those looking for one-of-a-kind gifts or keepsakes.

Events and Community Engagement

Beyond its weekly markets, the Kamloops Farmers' Market hosts events celebrating local culture and agriculture. These gatherings unite the community and highlight the market's role in fostering a stronger connection to the land and its growers.

Seed Saturday

Seed Saturday is an annual highlight for Kamloops gardening enthusiasts and sustainability advocates. Starting in 2009 as an initiative by the Friends of the New Victory Gardens, the event was created to promote seed saving and local food security. Over the years, it has become a collaborative effort involving local organizations such as the Kamloops Food Policy Council, FarmFolk CityFolk, and Seeds of Diversity. In 2022, long-time organizer Daniela Basile of SSOL Gardens passed the reins to the Kamloops Farmers' Market staff, ensuring the event's continuity and growth.

Seed Saturday promotes seed-saving and sustainable gardening. Local seed growers and gardening experts offer resources and tips for creating thriving home gardens, encouraging food security and biodiversity.

Now held at the Mount Paul Community Food Centre on the second Saturday in March, Seed Saturday draws together local seed growers, gardeners, and food makers. Attendees can explore a variety of regionally adapted seeds, gardening supplies, and fresh local products while connecting with vendors and community groups dedicated to sustainability.

Pollinator Festival

The Pollinator Festival at the Kamloops Farmers' Market is an annual event that began in 2022, celebrating the essential role of pollinators in maintaining healthy ecosystems. This event highlights the importance of pollinators in agriculture. It features educational displays, activities for kids, and insights into how bees, butterflies, and other pollinators contribute to healthy ecosystems.

The Thompson Shuswap Master Gardeners will present displays on native bees, including information from the BC Native Bee Society, and offer hands-on crafts for children. The Kamloops Art Gallery will provide interactive art activities through their Portable Art Cycling Kit. The Pollinator Parade at 10 AM is a highlight of the day, inviting enthusiasts to dress up as their favourite pollinators and join a short procession through the market area.

Additional events include a free tour of the Butler Urban Farm's native pollinator garden and informative sessions by the Kamloops Naturalist Club and the Kamloops Beekeepers Club. The festival concludes with a Pollinator Festival Book Club meeting at the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Kamloops Library. These activities deepen the community's understanding of pollinators' significance and promote actions to support their populations.

Tomato Festival

The Tomato Festival at the Kamloops Farmers' Market is an annual celebration that began in 2012. The TRU Friends of the Garden initially organized it and later adopted it by the market. The festival encourages residents to grow and enjoy locally produced tomatoes, whether from personal gardens, the farmers' market, or local eateries that support seasonal agriculture.

The Tomato Festival is a crowd favourite, celebrating one of the region's most beloved crops. The event includes tastings, competitions, and a chance to learn about the many varieties of tomatoes grown locally.

The festivities start with the "Greatest Tomato Competition," open to all community members. Participants can enter their homegrown tomatoes in categories such as largest by weight, most colourful, most unusual shape, and the most significant number in a single cluster. Throughout the week, various community groups, including the Thompson-Shuswap Master Gardeners and the Kamloops Art Gallery, will be present to engage with attendees through educational displays and interactive activities. The festival culminates with public tomato tastings, allowing visitors to sample varieties grown by regional vendors and vote for their favourites.

Historical Roots and Significance

The Kamloops Farmers' Market has a rich history of over four decades. Its establishment in 1978 was driven by a growing awareness of global food security issues and a desire to connect local producers directly with consumers. Over time, it has become a vital part of Kamloops' food economy, helping to sustain regional agriculture and promote environmentally conscious practices.

BC Farmers' Market Nutrition Coupon Program

The BC Farmers' Market Nutrition Coupon Program (FMNCP) is a healthy eating initiative that supports farmers' markets and strengthens food security across British Columbia. Community partner organizations provide coupons to lower-income families, pregnant people, and seniors participating in their food literacy programs. Coupons can be spent at all BCAFM member farmers' markets participating in the FMNCP and can be used to purchase vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs, dairy, herbs, vegetable & fruit plants, honey, meat, and fish. Each household enrolled in the program can receive at least $27/week in coupons. The program runs throughout the summer when produce is most abundant across the province.

The Kamloops Farmers' Market has participated in the Nutrition Coupon Program since 2013. Participating farmers' markets and the BC Association of Farmers' Market do not give out coupons directly to participants. Participants must contact local community partner agencies directly, which can be found on the BCAFM Where It Operates page. Please note that there is high demand and limited funding for this program across BC, and capacity will vary from partner to partner.

Tips for Visiting the Market

Arrive Early: For the best selection of fresh produce and popular items, plan to arrive shortly after the market opens.

Bring Cash: While many vendors accept cards, having cash can speed up transactions and is often preferred.

Be Curious: Take time to chat with vendors. They're eager to share the stories behind their products, offering insights into their farming practices or creative processes.

Support Sustainable Practices: Bring your own bags or baskets to reduce waste and make carrying purchases easier.

Why the Kamloops Farmers' Market Matters

The Kamloops Farmers' Market is a community hub that supports local farmers, artisans, and sustainable practices. By attending, shoppers contribute to a resilient local food system while enjoying the best of what Kamloops has to offer. If looking for fresh produce, handmade goods, or a deeper connection to the region, the market delivers an experience reflecting Kamloops's spirit.