Food

Food

Why do we cultivate food? To explore and exemplify healthy and sustainable food systems, encourage sustainable food literacy, foster socially just food systems for all, and cultivate the local food economy.

Discover the UBC Farm through your taste buds! Get your local, certified organic, farm-fresh seasonal veggies, fruits, herbs, flowers, and seeds. Throughout the growing season, we offer farm goods through our markets, weekly CSA box, wholesale distribution, and online seed sales.

 

Our strategy

We build, support, and sustain our community through social enterprise (i.e. markets, food sales, and events) that provide fair wages to our staff and students, opportunities to build community, and information about and access to healthy food. Our work benefits researchers, staff, students, learners, and the public.

 

Our Goal

To support the community by connecting researchers, learners, and the public to an operational campus farm, while also generating revenue and campus and community support that aligns with our values as an agroecological site.

 
Markets
 

Farmers’ Markets and Farm Gate Sales

For the 2024 growing season we are offering three markets each week, our Tuesday and Saturday markets are located at the UBC Farm, with our Wednesday markets taking place in front of the UBC Bookstore.

Membership

Make it official, become a Friend of the Farm! Membership with the UBC Farm supports our work and comes with special deals, discounts and offers at our markets.

Become a Friend of the Farm

Saturday Multi-vendor UBC Farm Farmers’ Market at the UBC Farm

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. June 1 through November 30, 2024

Don’t miss the only multi-vendor farmers’ market in Vancouver located on a working farm! It’s our biggest weekly event on the Farm, bringing in dozens of vendors selling local fruits, vegetables, meats, baked goods, beverages, mushrooms, coffee and food trucks, alcohol, treats, crafts and prepared foods, as well as – of course! – the certified organic, farm-fresh produce, fruits, and herbs from the UBC Farm. We also bring in local music groups for you to enjoy during your time at our market. Plus, join the by-donation tour at noon to learn more about the UBC Farm!

Currently open for vendor applications!

Tuesday Evening Market at the UBC Farm

4 p.m. – 6 p.m. June 4 through October 29, 2024

The UBC Farm Tuesday evening market features our farm-fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers and seeds. Stop by and pick up some fresh ingredients for dinner! Cash, Interac, Visa and Mastercard are accepted.

Wednesday Bookstore Market, outside the UBC Bookstore

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. June 5 through October 30, 2024

The UBC Farm Wednesday Campus Market features an assortment of fresh UBC Farm vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers. This mid-week market in front of the UBC Bookstore offers students, staff and faculty members a convenient opportunity to purchase UBC Farm produce.

Seasonal U-Picks

Berry u-picks typically occur in late June-July alongside our markets. Sign-up for our newsletter to get all the updates!

Our markets accept cash, Interac, Visa and Mastercard. You are encouraged to bring your own bags.

Who’s at market this week? (Updated day before market).   Our Market Vendors   Market produce seasonal availability guide
Farmers’ Market Vendor Guidelines   Market blog: recipes and more   Product/Vendor search tool: plan your grocery shop

Read before your visit

Where, who, be kind, COVID safety, and prizes!
    Be Kind

    We will not tolerate harassment at the market and will work to support shoppers, vendors, and staff alike in creating a safe market space where everyone can be treated with dignity and respect.

    How to get to the Farm & Parking

    The lot directly outside the UBC Farm has 2 hours of free parking for our visitors. Visit our Contact Us page for transit info and other parking options.

    Who's at the Market this week?

    The Weekly Market Map will be updated on the Friday before market so you can see exactly where vendors will be located. Sign up four our newsletter and follow us on social media (@UBCFarm) to see our Weekly Featured Vendor, and any deals or sales at the market!

    Farmers' Market Nutrition Coupons

    The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program (FMNCP) began in 2007 as a pilot project coordinated by the BC Association of Farmers' Markets (BCAFM) operating in each of the regional health authorities. The Ministry of Health began funding the program in 2012. The program successfully expanded from 2012-2014 and has been in full operation since 2015. It has continued to grow since and now serves over 85 communities and reaches over 18,000 families, seniors and pregnant people from over 6000 households in BC.

    Our market is a participating recipient of the FMNCP coupons. You are able to redeem these coupons at our produce vendors and for other products as specified. For information on obtaining these coupons, please reach out to our coupon distribution partner, the AMS Food Bank, @ foodbank@ams.ubc.ca. For general information about the FMNCP, please visit the BCAFM info page here.

    Bi-monthly Market Prize Draw

    We will draw two winners, with proof of purchase from our market vendors, every two months (Jun/Jul, Aug/Sept, Oct/Nov). Winners will each receive $25 in UBC Farm Market gift cards, redeemable at all Saturday Market vendors. The draws will take place at the end of July and September, and we will do our final draw in mid-November.

    Survey entries

    Fill out one shopper survey within every two-month interval and include your email to enter for a prize. Your entry will be valid throughout the market season for the year.

    Social media entries

    If you want more chances to win, post a photo of what you purchase at our market on Instagram. On you post, tag @UBCFarm and use the hashtag #UBCFarmHaul. You can receive one extra entry each week if you make a post (new hauls needed each week)!

    COVID-19

    Please refer to UBC's COVID-19 Campus Rules for updated guidance around UBC Campus spaces. Everyone on UBC Premises must comply the requirements of COVID-19 Campus Rules that apply to them and any other UBC rules.

Become a Vendor or Busker

Want to vend with us?

Join our Market!

Grow your business and build community this summer at the only Farmers Market located on a working farm in Vancouver! Our market, serving the local food economy since 2004, offers great opportunities for new and returning vendors with a growing and untapped customer base, ease of access, promotional support, low fees, fantastic community, and an unparalleled experience on a beautiful farm setting in the city. Join the market and see for yourself why vendors and shoppers alike love spending their Saturdays on this picturesque farm, with all the amenities and activities of a bustling city market.

The market takes place every Saturday from June through November at UBC Farm, 3461 Ross Drive, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We are limited in the number of vendors in certain product categories that we can accept to the market, so please apply as soon as possible to ensure the dates you want.

We are looking for recurring and weekly vendors from the following categories for our fall market dates:

    • Producers/Farmers
    • Cheese/Dairy
    • Meat/Seafood
    • Beverage Service (including coffee, tea, and smoothies)
    • Prepared Food
    • Food Service (including food trucks)
    • Nursery Products
    • Service Vendors (such as massage and bike repairs)
    • Alcohol (such as beer, wine, cider and spirits)
    • Wild Harvest
    • Craft Vendors (including pet care and body products)

How to apply:

  1. Ensure that you make, bake, grow, or provide the service yourself
    • As a member of the British Columbia Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM), our market adheres principle that all products sold at the market must be made, baked, grown, or raised by the vendor themselves; we also commit to vendors whose products are made, baked, grown or raised in BC
  2. Please visit the UBC Farm Saturday Market Vendor Guidelines page

    • This page explains more about our market as well as market fees, logistics, guidelines, policies, health and safety, and how to apply; please familiarize yourself with all the sections listed on that page before applying
    • Please note that we are not able to review your application until you pay your application fee; please follow this link to be redirected towards the vendor fee payment page.
Questions at any time can be directed to our market email at ubcfarm.market@ubc.ca
Want to busk at our market?

Our upcoming Market Busker Registration will resume in spring 2024.

If you would like to be notified when our registration begins, please send us an email @ ubcfarm.market@ubc.ca

Where are the chickens?

Out of cluck! No chickens at the UBC Farm this season

We’ve made the tough decision this year to not keep a flock of hens at the UBC Farm. This means no chickens to visit or UBC Farm eggs to buy during our 2023 market season – which, we know, will disappoint many of you.

As a university-based farm, research and learning are at the heart of everything we do. We strive to model diversified, small-scale agriculture; livestock can be an important element for soil health, so we are planning future research and teaching that will involve free-run, pasture-raised chickens.

We know that our eggs are a big draw for our Farmers’ Market and CSA customers, and hey, having chickens around is fun! For all these reasons we will be working hard to bring those Hy-Line brown hens back to the Farm in future years.

 
CSA
 

CSA is an acronym for Community Supported Agriculture.

CSAs connect farmers and consumers in a partnership creating an alternative, locally-based economic model of agriculture and food distribution. In such a partnership CSA members buy a share in the farm at the beginning of the season and then receive a weekly box of farm goods throughout the growing season. CSAs help farmers by providing income early in the season when startup costs are high, and by guaranteeing a market for the farmer’s produce. In return, members receive a regular supply of fresh, nutritious produce grown in an ecologically sustainable way. Additionally, we often host several CSA-exclusive U-pick sessions throughout the season.

Produce CSA

The UBC Farm CSA program provides members of the UBC campus and broader community with a weekly box of fresh, healthy, local, organic produce grown locally at the UBC Farm.

Program Duration

The program typically starts mid-June and runs until the end of October. However, the start and end dates may vary by one or two weeks due to seasonal variations. Regardless of the start date, the program will run for 20 weeks.

CSA 2024 program dates: June 8 - October 22

Pick-up Days and Times

At the UBC Farm Tuesdays (4:00 pm to 6:00 pm) or on Saturdays (11:00 am to 2:00 pm). Please note that a multi-vendor farmers’ market occurs simultaneously with our Saturday pickup hours. During registration, members commit to one pick-up day for the entire season. Members need to bring their own bags/baskets/containers to bring their produce home. Please reach out to us if you're expecting to miss picking up your share, we strongly encourage you to arrange for someone else to pick up your share for you.

Please note that we do not have the capacity to allow for other alternate pick-up times, nor are we able to hold your share until the next available pick-up day. Refunds will not be issued for missed pick-up.

Pick-up changes for Saturday CSA: The pick-up stand has been relocated closer to the gate, beside the outdoor cooler. This will not only increase the visibility of the stand but also facilitate the ease of access to everyone coming in and out through the gate with this year's queue system. We will have an option for you to skip the queue if you'd rather only pick up your share instead without browsing the other vendors.

Cost

$625 membership for the season, which equates to $31.25 value produce share per week over a 20 week season. Online debit or credit card payment for the CSA Program is due at the time of registration. The payment is 80% refundable up until April 30, and non-refundable thereafter.

Waitlist

Please click here to sign up for our CSA program waitlist.

Important Dates:

Registration status: Registration for our 2024 season is currently open to returning 2023 members only. Program spots will be open to folks on our CSA waitlist in March on a first-come, first-served basis. Please click the link above to sign up for the waitlist for our 2024 season. You will be notified by email when a spot becomes available. If you were not contacted this year, your spot on the waitlist will automatically roll over for our season next year.

What’s in a weekly share?

The variety of the box will change week to week as we progress through the season. Each week consists of 5 to 9 items, enough for two people who eat a lot of vegetables. You can expect to receive more items in the late summer when more varieties are available. Please keep in mind we only grow three types of fruits (strawberries, blueberries, and apples), all of which have brief harvest windows. The program will introduce you to lesser known veggies, as well as familiar favorites.

2024 Weekly CSA Recipes

Find weekly featured recipes here sorted by program week!

2023 Weekly CSA Recipe Archive

Find weekly featured recipes here sorted by program week!

Flower CSA

We will unfortunately not be offering a Flower CSA program this year due to an unforeseen shortage in our labour capacity. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't like everything?

We encourage you to enjoy all the produce in your weekly box, even if it is not your favorite. Some things do take time to love. You may find yourself learning to love what you previously thought unlovable. Each week we will include a recipe for the week’s produce in case you’re unsure of how to cook it within our CSA weekly newsletter.

How do I pick-up?

Our pick-up location is situated in front of the harvest hut near the gate. You would need to sign in and provide your own bags to carry produce home with you. The CSA stand will be setup with bulk produce bins for you to pick out your share.

What if I can't make it to pick-up on time?

Unfortunately, pick-up is unavailable outside of the listed pick-up days and hours. Therefore, please email us at ubcfarm.csa@ubc.ca as know as soon as possible for us to arrange an alternate solution for you. We will not be able to hold your share past your chosen pick-up day.

Can I purchase add-ons?

There are two ways to purchase add-ons. 1) Members can add a 10-week flower CSA share and/or place specific orders for seasonal specialty & bulk items, if available. 2) For your convenience, our market stall will also be open during CSA pick-up hours if you'd like to top-up your weekly boxes.

While add-ons are subject to availability, they are always filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Assuming availability, members are still charged for pre-ordered add-ons even when they do not pick up their shares. Similar to your share, if your pre-ordered add-ons are not picked up they will be redistributed to avoid food waste.

Are there different share sizes?

We currently do not offer different share sizes. We recommend finding a friend to split a share if you are not interested in a full share. We also limit shares to one per household in order to provide more household access to UBC Farm produce. Members wanting additional produce can always purchase add-ons at the Tuesday and Saturday markets.

Is the UBC Farm Certified Organic?

Yes! Read more about what organic means at the UBC Farm.

What is unique about UBC Farm’s CSA program?

The CSA program is an agricultural marketing and distribution initiative that is part of the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems within the UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems. While we strive to provide professional quality services to our CSA members, the ultimate goal of the program is educational. The CSA program provides experiential learning opportunities for both students and volunteers, and all financial proceeds go towards the operation of the farm. More than 2,500 students each year directly benefit from this unique learning environment.

For more information on CSA programs

Please visit the CSA Program page on FarmFolk CityFolk, for more information about local BC CSA programs.

If you have any further questions, please contact us at ubcfarm.csa@ubc.ca.

 
Wholesale
 

Buying Wholesale

Direct sales from the UBC Farm fields to local restaurants.

The UBC Farm has made efforts to connect restaurants and chefs in the city of Vancouver with our local, sustainable, and organic produce. Chefs have the opportunity to place an order directly with our farmers week-to-week, and our team will harvest the produce fresh to order and deliver directly to the Chef's kitchen on Tuesdays. These supply relationships allow further representation of the UBC Farm's mission to spread beyond our academic campus and engage the public in the importance of local purchasing at all levels.

Please contact us for information on direct sales of UBC Farm produce.

Recent Supply Relationships

UBC Campus

Vancouver

Donation

UBC Campus

Vancouver

 
Flowers
 

Purchasing Flowers

Interested in sourcing freshly cut flowers from the UBC Farm?

At the UBC Farm, we believe flowers should be grown as our food is grown – locally and organic, without the use of chemicals and without travelling across the globe. By purchasing flowers from the UBC Farm, you are supporting the Farm in its efforts to cultivate a space which feeds the community, educates all ages about land stewardship, and is at the vanguard of research to continue the advance of organic growing practices.

About the flowers at the UBC Farm

A field with multiple types of flowers at the Farm.

The UBC Farm offers people a source for their flowers that directly supports our small-scale community farm and are produced in a way that enhances the environment rather than degrades it. Our flowers are all grown on-site on just under ¼ of an acre, using ecologically sustainable practices; like everything we grow, they are Certified Organic. We work to improve our soils through compost, amendments and cover cropping. The diversity of our blooms provide an extended season of forage for native pollinators, as well as our honey bees. Buying UBC Farm flowers means that your flowers will have travelled the shortest distance possible from our field to your home or event.

We may be small, but our blooms are incredibly diverse! We grow over 40 varieties of annual and perennial cut flowers. Our bouquets are always seasonal, offering incredible variety from summer to fall. We focus on flower varieties that perform well in our climate and with our soil conditions. Many of the flowers we grow are harder to find in grocery stores or florist shops, as they cannot easily withstanding the long-distance travel the commercial floral industry is based on. A quick visit to the flower field will be enough to show you the incredible range of varieties and colours available throughout the season. Check out our flower packages and buy locally with us this season!

Flowers at UBC Farm markets
Local, Sustainable and Seasonal Market Bouquets

We sell weekly bouquets at our Tuesday Evening Market, Wednesday Bookstore Market and Saturday UBC Farm Farmers’ Market throughout the growing season, from July to September.

Come by one of our markets this season for some beautiful seasonal blooms!

For Florists: Wholesale pricing and bulk orders
Farm-to-Florist

If you are a florist interested in sourcing flowers from us during our growing season please contact us for a fresh sheet, we would love to work with you! Please get in touch by email.

For Events and Weddings: Order our seasonal buckets for arrangement
Wedding and Event Packages

Two people pulling a cart with flowers and plants.

In recent years, we’ve enjoyed offering flower packages for weddings. Being that we host many weddings on the Farm, it seems especially fitting for the flowers to come from a field that’s just around the corner from the wedding itself.

Our flowers are generally available from June to early October, with some shifts in availability depending on the weather. Because we are selling seasonal flowers, we can’t guarantee that particular varieties or colours will be available for the day of your event, but we will provide armfuls of fresh, beautiful blooms that fit your vision, as nature allows.

We only sell flowers by the bucket to those interested in arranging themselves, leaving the creative vision or arrangements in your capable hands.

Curious to learn more? Send us an email at ubcfarm.wholesale@ubc.ca with your wedding date, vision for flowers in your ceremony, and any other questions you have about the process.

What does sustainable agriculture have to do with flowers?

Since we’re not eating the flowers (though we do grow edible varieties too!), is it important to follow organic practices? In short, yes. Conventionally grown flowers are tied to a variety of chemicals during both the growing and the processing phases. This includes synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and floral preservatives. These chemicals are damaging to both the environment and the health of the farmers and florists working with them. Sustainable growing practices and land stewardship apply to all crops, be it something we eat, or something like flowers which beautifies a space and helps lift our spirits. In terms of supporting local agriculture, the narrative is similar to that of local food: buying local, sustainably-grown flowers encourages ecologically-responsible agriculture, supports farmers in your community, and ensures you are getting the freshest bouquets possible.

An assorted collection of orange and red flowers.

 
Seeds
 

UBC Farm Seeds

View our digital seed catalogue here!

Plan your season with us

Here at the UBC Farm, we are committed to preserving our seeds as certified organic, open-pollinated, regionally adapted, held in the public domain, and GE-free. One of our core beliefs is that seed sovereignty is an essential part of sustainable bioregional food systems. That is why we are dedicated to our seed trials research with FarmFolk CityFolk, and are founding members of BC's very own Eco Seed Co-op. If you are looking for ecologically sound seeds for your garden or farm, and want to support research for the public interest, consider growing your farm or garden with our seeds.

Our seeds are now available to order online at the BC Eco Seed Coop!
Join our newsletter

Stay up to date on news, events, and more.

Subscribe