Farmers, market vendors, volunteers, and even musicians are being recognized for what they do to make the Comox Valley Farmers' Market special.
Every year, BC Farmers' Markets presents awards to people and groups involved in farmers' markets across the province. There are 10 categories in this year's awards, and groups from the Comox Valley have been nominated 10 times. In fact, there were only two categories where Valley groups did not get nominated. One was because the market is too small to qualify as a "large" market, and the other had one nominee.
The Comox Valley Farmers Market was the only nominee and winner for "Best Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Farmers' Market."
The nominees are (local nominees in italics):
Most Outstanding Community Impact (Farmers’ Markets)
Small B.C. Farmers’ Markets
- Kaslo Farmers’ Market
- Comox Valley Farmers’ Market – Sunday
- Chase Farmers’ Market
Medium B.C. Farmers’ Markets
- Pender Island Farmers’ Market
- Sicamous Farmers’ Market
- Comox Valley Farmers’ Market
Large B.C. Farmers’ Markets
- Duncan Farmers’ Market
- New West Farmers’ Market
- Skeena Valley Farmers’ Market
Best Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Farmers’ Market
- Comox Valley Farmers’ Market
Most Outstanding Community Impact (Vendor)
Farm Vendors
- Creek Side Cheese
- Shamrock Farm
- Forest Valley Acres
Non Farm Vendors
- Hemp, Hemp, Hurray
- The Cure Hot Sauce Company
- Katswi Creations
Most Outstanding Community Impact (Farmers’ Market Manager)
- Leah Stolz – Haney Farmers’ Market
- Grace Hardy – Vanderhoof Farmers’ Market
- Emily Gaudette – New Westminster Farmers’ Market
- Twila Skinner – Comox Valley Farmers’ Market
Volunteer of the Year
- Cathy Nakagawa – Coquitlam and Port Moody Farmers’ Markets
Best Live Entertainment at the BC Farmers’ Markets
- Karen Cruise – Vanderhoof Farmers’ Market
- Jana Seale – Haney, Coquitlam, & Port Moody Farmers’ Markets
- Easy Street Duo – Comox Valley Farmers’ Market
Helen Fathers Partner of the Year (Municipality or Community Partner)
- Comox Valley Family Services Association – Healthy Families
- Smithers Community Services
- North Vancouver Island Chefs Association
The awards will be presented immediately following the BC Farmers' Market AGM on March 4. They will be presented from 7 until 8 p.m. online via Zoom.
To register to attend the awards, visit the .
