Nominees were announced on Jan. 23, 2025 for the BC Farmers’ Market Awards, and 10 are from the Comox Valley.
The Comox Valley Farmers’ Market did particularly well in nominations for the community impact category, with both its Sunday and Saturday markets nominated for most outstanding community impact in the small and medium market category.
Twila Skinner, general manager of the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market, was also nominated in the community impact category for her work, and the market was the sole nominee for best contribution to diversity, equity and inclusion, winning that category by default.
Skinner said she owes the market’s successes to community support.
“We have a pretty strong market community. Not just the vendors, but also the customers,” she said.
“We have customers that support us year-round, whether it’s snowing or rainy or windy or super hot out. They come in any condition — they’ve even come in snow shoes! And we couldn’t do all of this if it wasn’t for the customers that come out and support the market.”
Nominees include Comox Valley vendors and community partners
There is also a category that awards the vendors and community partners of farmers’ markets in B.C.
Local vendors Shamrock Farm, The Cure Hot Sauce Company and Forest Valley Acres were all nominated for most outstanding community impact.
Comox Valley Family Services Association’s Healthy Families program and North Vancouver Island Chefs Association were both nominated for the Helen Fathers Partner of the Year, which recognizes an outstanding municipality or organization for its support of B.C. farmers’ markets.
Along with the Comox Valley’s commitment to food security, Skinner said she thinks the temperate climate is another contributor to the success of the market.
“Our market here is strong … It’s February and we can grow fresh lettuce at the market, and not a lot of areas can say that,” she said. “We’re lucky to be able to do that, and that is something really unique about our market.”
Those interested can tune into the awards ceremony online on March 4 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Registration is free and can be found on the BC Farmers’ Market website.
