Why do it: Vancouver is committed to creating an urban food system that is sustainable economically and environmentally. Everyone can help achieve this by learning about the link between local food and a healthy environment, and changing how we eat. Eating locally grown food has lots of benefits. It helps the environment by reducing the distance food has to travel (carbon footprint), thus decreasing needless resource consumption and pollution. It also supports our local farmers and the foods are fresher and tastier too!

Where to get local foods: Eating local doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Maybe for you it means spending half of your food budget on local foods, or maybe it’s just visiting a local market once a month. Every bit you do will support our local food system. Farmers Markets are a great way to get local food during the summer season. Check out these near the UBC campus:

1. UBC Farm (June-Oct.): you’ll find fresh produce, herbs, flowers, eggs, other local growers, bakers, craftspeople, and live musicians

Saturdays 9am-1pm 3461 Ross Drive

Wednesdays 11am-1:30pm UBC Farm brings produce to the corner of East Mall and Agricultural Road (outside of IK Barber)

1. Kitsilano Farmers Market (May 12-Oct. 20)

Sundays 10am-2pm

West 10^th Ave. & Larch St. 

1. Kerrisdale Farmers Market (June 15-Oct. 12)

Saturdays 10am-2pm

East Boulevard (between 37^th and 41^st Ave.)

1. Greens Organic and Natural Market

8am-10pm everyday

West Broadway & Maple St.

1. Oak Street Farmers Market (Opens June 05)

Wednesdays 3pm-7pm

Unitarian Church of Vancouver (Oak St. and West 49^th Ave.)

You can also order local food online, check out www.spud.ca where you can select organic local foods through their website and they offer free delivery! So give local food a chance, happy shopping, cooking, and eating!