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Buying and sharing local food

A group making food together

Did you know that the ingredients for a typical family meal travel between 1,500 and 4,000 kilometers?

That means that this same meal uses up to 17 times more petroleum products, and produces 17 times more carbon emissions, than a locally grown meal.

You can help reduce your carbon footprint — and help us reach our Greenest City 2020 targets — by buying more locally grown foods.

Not only will you be helping the planet, you will also be getting fruits and vegetables that are fresher, riper, and more flavourful.

Building community through food

West End Farmers Market

Farmers markets

Farmers markets continue to grow in number and popularity in Vancouver. Find a farmers markets, and learn how to start one.

Community food markets improve access to local produce

Community food markets

Community food markets provide fresh, affordable produce to harder-to-reach and vulnerable populations. Get a link to community food network locations and hours.

People in a community kitchen

Community kitchens

Learn about the role community kitchens play in education and community-building, and get a link to community kitchen locations and times.

Buying local foods helps reduce your carbon footprint

Local food producers

Find links to resources to help you locate local food producers in your community.

Enjoy fresh, local food at park and beach concession stands

Concessions sell popsicles made in with local berries

To help reach our sustainability and urban health goals, our concession stands sell fresh, locally sourced berry popsicles, veggies and dip, and more.

Find a concession stand

National Food Policy

In September 2017, we submitted a response to the National Food Policy consultations.

Read our submission  (500 KB)

Read the Federal Government's response  (115 KB)

Farmers marketsCommunity food marketsCommunity kitchensLocal food producers