After a successful trial run last winter, the Hastings Park Winter Farmers Market is making its triumphant return to the PNE fairgrounds this Sunday, November 8th. Running rain or shine until May 1st, this will be the first full season since the closure of the Winter Market at the WISE Hall back in April 2010. “We enjoyed great success with our Winter Market that ran at the WISE Hall from 2006-2010,” says VFM Operations Manager, Roberta LaQuaglia. “When we outgrew that space and moved to Nat Bailey Stadium, we knew we left some shoppers behind. We’re thrilled to be bringing a winter farmers market back to East Van, and with Hastings Park running alongside our Saturday market at Nat Bailey, people now have two locations to shop local this winter.” 
Conveniently located between the Forum and the Agrodome at the PNE fairgrounds, the Hastings Park Winter Market will feature 50+ vendors each week bringing the ‘hood a great selection of locally grown produce, meat, seafood and dairy, craft beer, wine and spirits, artisan prepared food and baked goods, handmade crafts, and popular food trucks. As well as a one-stop shop for seasonal, local food, Hastings Park provides our community with the opportunity to stroll through the nearby Japanese and Italian gardens, visit The Sanctuary, or a make a stop at the playground. VFM is partnering with the PNE and Hastings North BIA to establish Hastings Park as a hub of community activity and a weekly ritual for residents and shoppers. Hastings Park craft vendor Rebekah McGurran of The Hive Printing, lives with her husband and business partner, Norbert Mantik in the neighbourhood. “As a vendor, we love this new market in the heart of our own neighbourhood,” says Rebekah. “It’s a great Sunday destination to pick up locally grown and locally made products in the winter”. To help get you into the Farmers Market spirit, we’re inviting you to share your love on Social Media. Whether you’re brunching in the ‘hood at a restaurant that supports market vendors, or perhaps you’ve got some great market snaps you’d like to show off — simply tag them with @EastVillageVan and @VanMarkets, along with the hashtag #EVVExperience, and we’ll be sharing our favorites all season long across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The Hastings Park Winter Farmers Market runs Sundays, 10am-2pm from November 8th – May 1st (closed for the holidays December 27th), at the PNE fairgrounds, located at Hastings and Renfrew. Additional info and weekly maps can be found at their website.