Weather puts damper on markets
Harsh winter, cool temperatures and rain means many crops are in short supply this year
The strawberries at Jasbir Mandair’s stand are luminescent on a grey morning.
The first sweet offerings of a cold spring, it isn’t long before shoppers begin lining up to buy a punnet of berries at the Mandair Farms tent at the Trout Lake farmers market.
It’s been a tough year for farmers, said many at the Saturday market. A harsh winter, below-average spring temperatures and torrential rains harmed overwinter crops and delayed early spring produce and planting.
“We’re at least a month behind,” said Shane Rozeveld at the Crisp Organics tent, surveying bunches of fennel, spinach, lettuce and radishes — crops usually plentiful in the early days of spring. “Almost everything you’d normally see in June is missing. We put things in the ground and they don’t do anything. It’s been so cold, the plants don’t grow.”
So far, spring sales are way down, said the Abbotsford farmer, but he’s hopeful the weather will turn around. A long, warm September could make up for the shortfall.
“There’s nothing we can do. It’s been a great year for rhubarb,” he quipped, pointing at a stack of the pink, cold-loving vegetable.
Farmer Shirlene Cote has been battling cool weather and high water at her Earth Apple Organic Farm. As the spring freshet swells the Fraser River, her Glen Valley fields have become wet and unworkable.
“There’s a few things we couldn’t get into the field to plant,” she said. “It’s been a hard start for sure.”
The cloud’s silver lining is the crowds. Perhaps spurred by the same cool weather to seek out signs of spring, a record number of shoppers have attended Vancouver’s weekend markets, said Vancouver Farmers Markets operations manager Laura Smit.
While the city’s seven markets are opening on schedule, some farmers have cancelled because they have nothing to sell. A “farmers first” organization, the market refunds the cost of the stalls when weather is to blame.
“People coming to the markets should expect to find things arriving a little later than normal this year,” said Smit. “Farming is a seasonal occupation. We’re hoping people understand that when you eat in season you’re getting food at its most delicious, but you’re also dependent on the weather.”
Last year a warm spring meant produce arrived at the market weeks ahead of schedule. This year it’s the opposite, with some farmers estimating crops are almost a month behind.
There are seven summer markets in Vancouver, representing about 270 farms and artisanal producers. The markets generate about $8 million in sales each year, said Smit.
Across the province, there are more than 145 markets, according to the B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets. The connection between food, farmer and consumer continues to draw crowds.
Although they are late, Mandair said her strawberries bring her hope. They were planted two years ago by her husband. He recently died, and she forgot about the field, letting nature take over.
A few weeks ago, her son passed the patch and saw flowers. Bright red berries followed.
“They are special to me,” said Mandair. “They are ...” Unable to find the right word she puts both hands over her heart.