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Corn on cob, kale and other fruits and vegetables can be purchased on site.

Photo courtesy Kwantlen St. Farmers Market

Corn on cob, kale and other fruits and vegetables can be purchased on site.

Photo courtesy Kwantlen St. Farmers Market

Kwantlen St. Market returns to Richmond

By Samuel Cheng

Published 12:04 PDT, Fri July 21, 2023

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Working in the agricultural industry and growing your own fruits and vegetables are not hobbies of an elderly retired individual.

At the Kwantlen St. Farmers Market located at 7000 Minoru Bvld, right next to the Minoru Public Library, residents can be expected to find fresh farm produce and products offered by the Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) students.

The market is primarily run and operated by KPU students who are currently enrolled in obtaining a bachelor’s degree through the department of sustainable agriculture and food systems within the institution. Through the program, the students will be able to learn organic farming practices hands-on at the KPU farms located on Garden City Road.

Additionally, this program encourages the students to place more emphasize on the business side of things as well, from how to manage a small farm from the backstage to interacting with customers face to face in everyday sales.

Since then, the market has evolved from a buy-sell farmer’s market to an exciting and engaging community event full of local farm products, music, as well as activities for children and families. It is the sense of community and bond revolving around food that truly makes this event unique and special.

Children are more than welcomed to participate and join this part of the fun. Every child will be given a “passport” at the kid’s activity centre booth where they will be able to collect stamps along the way. They will be able to explore, learn and document new kinds of fruits and vegetables that they have come across.

The activities bring out the creativity from within every child while providing a fun, interactive and immersive experience while educating them about how and where the different foods on their dinner table come from. Diminishing the traditional and outdated images of farmers and growers as we move into a new era is critical as well.

The Kwantlen St. Market is a token of tribute to Richmond’s rich farming and agricultural history. From the early settlers that farmed in Richmond to immigrants that fished in Steveston, the agricultural practices above, remain popular today. Additionally, the food processing and restaurant business has reaped the benefits of our farming community.

Aside from the students that are actively participating in the market, home gardeners and local green thumbs are also welcomed to participate and take part in selling their fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Vendor applications are required to be filled out and the market will be in touch to confirm further details.

The Kwantlen St. Market will collect 15 per cent donation of total sales from the vendors, which will go towards Kwantlen Student Association (KSA) food bank. The KSA food bank is an emergency food relief for current KPU students. The program is available for students across the Richmond, Langley and Cloverdale campuses. Eligible students are eligible for one food hamper every two weeks.

The market is open every Tuesday from noon to 4 p.m. until Nov. 14. Be sure to visit and check out the farmer’s market to support the students and local vendors while picking up fresh farm produce and products along the way.