Often we think of the farmers’ market as a place for fresh veggies – so when the sunshine is limited and the ground is frozen what do our local farmers have to offer?

Here in the Comox Valley, we are blessed with a bounty of local food year round! Healthy locally produced food and lots of it, is available at the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning.

There is an amazing array of locally raised meat; you can get lamb, chicken, turkey, pork and bison, as well as sustainably harvested salmon and tuna, happy chicken eggs and healthy cheese. Veggies include kale chips, and other dried fruits, vegetables and herbs, potatoes, onions, squash and a variety of preserves.

There is a great assortment of breads: loaves, baguettes, focaccia and buns, including gluten-free options. The farmers’ market is also the best place for treats, whether that means a sticky cinnamon bun, a melt-in-your-mouth croissant or Danish, chocolates, cookies or bars (again including gluten-free options) or maybe pepperoni and cheese buns or popcorn.

And don’t forget that quick and healthy dinner option – whole pizza (again with a gluten-free option), fresh pasta and pesto, perogies or cabbage rolls.

You can also get honey (and check out their display of berry wines and mead available at their tasting room in Black Creek) and bees wax, and amazing granola. If you are a knitter the market has something special for you; local, naturally dyed sheep’s wool yarn, as well as alpaca wool (spun into yarn or ready to spin).

When you shop at your local farmers’ market, you are supporting local, sustainable agriculture. You are also making good choices for your health and the health of the planet.

In addition to great food and agricultural products, you can also get great music while you shop at the market, which loves to support our local musicians, and they love to support the farmers market!

This weekend, Gord Carter will bring his story–like tunes to the market to share bits of his latest album Diary of a Coaltown. To get a preview, check out his website at www.gordoncarter.com.

The Comox Valley Farmers’ Market will be at the Native Sons Hall every Saturday morning from 9 to noon until mid-April, when the sun is back, the ground is thawed and we can enjoy shopping outdoors again.

For more information, check www.comoxvalleyfarmersmarket.com and keep in touch on Facebook and Twitter. — Comox Valley

Farmers’ Market