2024 BC Farmers’ Market Awards

The annual BC Farmers’ Market Awards recognizes outstanding farmers’ markets, vendors, partners, volunteers and municipalities that are exemplary in adding value to their communities and the BC farmers’ market sector.

Nominations are now closed. The top three submissions in each category were announced on January 23, 2025, and the award winners in each category were announced during the BC Farmers’ Market Awards Ceremony & AGM on March 4, 2025. 

Here are the long list candidates for a 2024 BC Farmers’ Market Award as chosen by the public, with the top three nominees in each category as chosen by judges in bold and the award recipients listed at the bottom: 

Farmers’ Markets

Most Outstanding Community Impact (Farmers’ Markets)

Recognizing outstanding farmers’ markets that are exemplary in adding value to their communities and connecting local food, farmer and artisans vendors to consumers through fresh and prepared foods, and artisan products.

and the nominees are…

Small BC Farmers’ Markets

  • Kaslo Farmers’ Market
  • Comox Valley Farmers’ Market (Sunday)
  • Chase Farmers’ Market

award recipient: Comox Valley Farmers Market (Sunday)

Medium BC Farmers’ Markets

  • Pender Island Farmers’ Market
  • Sicamous Farmers’ Market
  • Comox Valley Farmers’ Market (Saturday)
  • Sooke Country Market
  • Errington Farmers’ Market
  • Vanderhoof Farmers’ Market
  • Williams Lake Farmers’ Market

award recipient: Sicamous Farmers’ Market

Large BC Farmers’ Markets

  • Duncan Farmers’ Market
  • New West Farmers’ Market
  • Skeena Valley Farmers’ Market
  • Powell River Farmers’ Market

award recipient: Duncan Farmers’ Market

Best Contribution to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at the Farmers’ Market

Recognizing a BCAFM farmers’ market member with an outstanding contribution to diversity, equity and inclusion within their market and community.

and the nominees are

  • Comox Valley Farmers’ Market

award recipient: Comox Valley Farmers’ Market

 

Vendors

Most Outstanding Community Impact (Vendor)

Recognizing an outstanding vendor for their work and accomplishments related to the farmers’ markets in which they participate.

and the nominees are:

Farm Vendors

  • Creek Side Cheese, Riley Market
  • Shamrock Farm, Comox Valley Farmers’ Market
  • Forest Valley Acres, Comox Valley Farmers’ Market
  • Fair Winds Orchard, Penticton Farmers’ Market

award recipient: Forest Valley Acres, Comox Valley Farmers’ Market

Non Farm Vendors

  • Hemp Hemp Hurray, Kelowna Farmers’ Market
  • The Cure Hot Sauce Company, Comox Valley Farmers’ Market
  • Katswi Creations, James Bay Community Market
  • Sweet Earth Soap Works, Powell River Farmers’ Market
  • Cottage Creek Bakery, Powell River Farmers’ Market
  • Jane’s Honey Bee, Trout Lake Farmers’ Market
  • Turtle Mountain Chocolate, East Kelowna, Vernon, Polson Night Market
  • Skeena Valley Seniors Society, Skeena Valley Farmers’ Market
  • Kaidyn’s Cookies, Sooke Country Market
  • Nolan, Lany, and Eloi, Skeena Valley Farmers’ Market

award recipient: The Cure Hot Sauce Company, Comox Valley Farmers’ Market

 

Individuals

Most Outstanding Community Impact (Farmers’ Market Manager)

Recognizing an outstanding farmers’ market manager for their work and accomplishments in their role as a market manager.

and the nominees are:

  • Leah Stoltz – Haney Farmers’ Market
  • Grace Hardy – Vanderhoof Farmers’ Market
  • Twila Skinner, Comox Valley Farmers’ Market
  • Emily Gaudette – New Westminster Farmers’ Market
  • Liz Howard, Bella Coola Valley
  • Kathy Allaire, Kaslo Farmers’ Market
  • Joe Lapinsky, Chase Farm & Craft Market
  • Donald Isaac Grimmer, Pender Island Farmers’ Market
  • Deb Heap, Sicamous Farmers’ Market
  • Niki Post, Peninsula Country Market
  • Barb Scharf and Jane Bowser, Cariboo Direct Farmers’ Market / Williams Lake Farmers’ Market

award recipient: Leah Stoltz

Volunteer of the Year

Recognizing an outstanding individual for their work and accomplishments related to their volunteer work with a BC Farmers’ Markets member market.

and the nominees are:

  • Cathy Nakagawa – Coquitlam and Port Moody Farmers’ Markets

award recipient: Cathy Nakagawa – Coquitlam and Port Moody Farmers’ Markets

Best Live Entertainment at the BC Farmers’ Markets

Recognize an outstanding entertainer for their talent and enthusiasm when performing at BC Farmers’ Markets member markets.

and the nominees are:

  • Karen Cruise, Vanderhoof Farmers’ Market
  • Jana Seale,  Haney, Coquitlam, & Port Moody Farmers’ Markets
  • Easy Street Duo, Comox Valley Farmers’ Market
  • Howard Huntley, Powell River Farmers’ Market
  • Rob Fillo, Esquimalt Farmers’ Market
  • Harry Jennings, Williams Lake Farmers’ Market

award recipient: Easy Street Duo, Comox Valley Farmers’ Market

 

Community Organizations

Helen Fathers Partner of the Year (Municipality or Community Partner)

Recognizing an outstanding municipality or community organization for their contribution and support of BC farmers’ markets.

and the nominees are:

  • Comox Valley Family Services Association – Healthy Families
  • Smithers Community Services
  • North Vancouver Island Chefs Association

award recipient: Smithers Community Services

 

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