Visitor Information and FAQ

What is the "Shoots with Roots" Program?

The Qualicum Beach Farmers Market and Milner Gardens ‘Shoots with Roots’ team up to provide special events for children at the Farmers Market throughout the 2010 Season.

The ‘Shoots with Roots’ program at Milner Gardens and Woodlands is a favourite with children and parents. ‘Shoots with Roots’ includes Spring and Summer camps for children and an extensive school based program and now it will be a regular event at the Qualicum Beach Farmers Market.

The events will be held on one Saturday morning Market Day in each of May, June, September and October at the Veterans Way venue for the Farmers Market.

The Shoots with Roots program coordinator, Charlene Forrest, has tremendous enthusiasm for encouraging children to learn about growing vegetables and also the plants from our natural habitat.

Qualicum Beach Farmers Market is working in partnership with Milner Gardens ‘Shoots with Roots’ Program in order to present this opportunity for children at the Summer Market. We all hope that families will come to the Market and participate in the various events that will occur throughout the season.

These events will provide a great opportunity for children to become involved with nature in a safe learning environment and also for their parents to learn more about Milner Gardens and Woodlands – a gem in our community.

There will be a different event for each of the months to keep things interesting and fun.

Qualicum Beach Farmers Market provides area residents and tourists with a fresh choice for locally produced garden produce, cheese, ethically raised chickens and meat, local seafood and baked goods as well as quality craft and artisan work.

Learn more about Milner Gardens educational programs.

What are the benefits of “eating local”?

Here's some reasons to eat more local products:

It promotes a more environmentally sustainable food system. According to 100milediet.org, a study in Iowa found that a regional diet consumed 17 times less oil and gas than a typical diet based on food shipped across the country. Big agro-corporations also tend to use huge amounts of pesticides and other chemicals that end up in the groundwater.
It reduces carbon emissions from long-distance transport of food, especially by airplane.
It ensures a more stable and reliable food source. Food security is a big issue here. If you haven't noticed, we live on an island, which means that if we're not growing it here anymore, that means we're dependent on someone else to grow it and bring it over here. We have become dependent on others to make sure than there is a ready and sufficient food supply for us.
It helps local farmers and the local economy. The money that you spend on produce at a local farm tends to stay in the local economy. By eating seasonally and locally, you can be part of a more balanced food culture. Reconnect with food and embrace the joy of having a real meal at the dinner table. Local products offer more variety than do agro-corporations. Instead of growing the same limited and shrinking variety of fruits and vegetables, local farmers can grow a wider range of produce including heirloom and specialty items. You'll find produce and varieties that agro-corporations won't grow because it doesn't line their pockets with enough money. Have a better idea of what you're eating. What pesticides and herbicides were used? Is that tomato a GMO? Was your chicken raised free-ranged or in cage? A local farmer will be happy to talk to you about their crop.
It promotes more whole foods and less processed foods.
It helps re-establish the relationship between food producers and food consumers. Have you hugged a farmer today?
It tastes better and is better for you. The longer produce takes to get from the farm to your plate, the more it degrades and loses it's nutritional value. Also, most fruits are picked green and left to ripen while they take that long trip over 1500 miles to get to you. Either that or they gas them to make them look ripe. How appetizing is that?

Are all products and produce made or grown by the Vendors themselves?

Yes, Vendors must “grow it, bake it or make it” in order to offer their products at the Qualicum Beach Farmers Market.

Where can I park when I come to the Market?

Ample free parking surrounds the Market – on First Avenue and First Street, adjacent to the tracks, at east end of Veteran’s Way and in the church parking lot, to the north.

Is breakfast available or a light snack?