Shopping local is always a good idea
The trade war with the United States was supposed to kick off March 4, but as of yesterday, the Trump administration has paused some of the 25% tariffs until the beginning of April.
Today, further tariffs on dairy and lumber have been threatened for next week. Whether this will actually happen is anybody's guess.
Trade among global partners almost always benefits all the economies involved, experts say, but protectionism is often invoked as a means to improve a domestic economy. The theory behind trade and tariff choices is complicated and often interwoven with nationalism, xenophobia and bluster.
In any case, it's always a good idea to support local producers and suppliers. To that end, this is the first in a series of articles aimed at highlighting local businesses that would appreciate your support.
In the grocery category, there's no more direct means than buying from the folks who grow the goods themselves. We are very lucky here in the Lower Mainland to have direct-to-consumer farmers' markets that run year-round.
Winter markets are open now in two locations in Vancouver. Riley Park hosts a market on Saturdays with more than 85 producers and food trucks, and Kitsilano holds their market on Sundays, with more than 55 producers on hand. Squamish hosts their winter market over three weekends in March, and every weekend in April. Click through for hours and selection of goods available.
Also year-round, of course, are locally-owned Kin's Farm Markets, which has been in business for over 40 years, and operates more than 20 locations around the Lower Mainland.
Summertime farmers' markets open in Vancouver as early as April 6 at Trout Lake, with seven other locations open around the city over the course of the year. And on the North Shore, farmers' markets operate in both Ambleside and North Vancouver at Loutet Farm throughout the summer months, and markets can be found in Burnaby, New Westminster and Squamish as well.
The BC Farmer's Market Trail lists over 140 markets in the province.
Got a favourite farmers' market that we've missed? Leave a comment below and we'll add it to our list. Have fun shopping local!
Have a market to add to our list? Share your thoughts below, or email editor@lionsbaywatershed.ca
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