Victoria’s Winter Market Starts In November

left: Winter Market scene at Market Square. right: Corry Matechuk - Market Manager - with her chicken Jeb. Photo by Maryanne Carmack

VICTORIA

There’s something a little saddening about the end of summer. It’s easy to miss the waning sunlight late into the evening or the fresh smell of newly cut lawns or the feel of the warm sun on your face. Importantly for the food-focused, the season’s end signals the finish of one of the summer’s most pleasurable experiences, the farmers’ market.

No more can we wake up early on a Saturday morning and head out to any number of local farmers’ markets. October brings a close to most of these markets and what’s left is a gaping hole in our freshly minted weekend routines.

Or is it?

Luckily for us, the Victoria Downtown Public Market Society will be continuing their tenure as downtown’s main public market throughout the winter months, returning to Market Square. Being in the Square is great for those chilly, rainy days when you absolutely need shelter from the elements, but just have to have that crusty loaf of freshly baked artisan bread.

According to Market Communications Manager, Maryanne Carmack, “Our summer farmers’ market series are coming to a close, giving our food producers and farmers a little break before our exciting and busy winter farmers markets start back up in November. You can look forward to about 25-30 vendors joining us for our winter markets which will be held on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month in beautiful Market Square from 11-3 through March. We are so fortunate to have our farmers markets held in Market Square, it is the perfect place to showcase local fare and stay cozy against the elements. We want to thank our loyal supporters for being so encouraging of our dedicated food producers and farmers that work so hard for our community!”

One of the participants in the market is Holland Farm. Holland Farm has been operating for nearly a decade, and provides natural, pesticide-free produce to many of Victoria’s finest restaurants, as well as providing tasty seasonal produce as one of the staple vendors of the downtown market’s “Local-Motive” throughout the season. Holland Farm’s owner/operator Corry Matechuk is also the Farm Market Manager for this very successful and diverse downtown farmers’ market.

The market will feature local favourites such as ethically raised, pasture fed Peninsula beef from Boughneath Farm, fresh seafood, eggs, Italian bread and pastries, plant starts, fresh handmade pasta made from local ingredients, Vancouver Island salt, granola, chorizo sausage sandwiches, preserves, honey, gluten free products, hot and loose teas and salsa – just to name a few. As a prelude to Christmas shopping, the market will also feature locally made crafts by artisan vendors on December 15th. If you are a local artisan, contact Corry at corry@victoriapublicmarket.com for more information.

So don’t fear the wind, rain and chilly days to come. Let your food be your comfort and head on down to the Winter Market on Saturdays to fuel your passion for local fare throughout the cold months ahead.

See you there!

Web: http://victoriapublicmarket.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaDowntownMarket

Dates:

November 3rd & 17th

December 1st & 15th

(December 15th market will also included local craft artisans)

January 5th & 19th

February 2nd & 16th

March 2rd and 16